[goodtimes1104]

Hello everyone. I just became a first-time homeowner and moved into a new construction home in northern VA this past October. I'm really trying to take care of my lawn but have realized I have a few challenges. I did not care to ask about what type of grass the builder laid down until now that the spring has arrived (currently waiting for a response). So far I've laid down some milorganite (only to realize I miscalculated the size of my lawn and have to thrown down another bag and a half) and have only mowed once.

1. I've noticed grid lines between the sod patches that were laid. Initially, I thought that's how sod was laid but the grid lines are still visible. The grid lines are more prominent when the grass is wet. How do I get rid of the grid lines?


2. I noticed a brown spot suddenly appear a few days ago before the rain. It was random and is isolated to this one part of my backyard. We do not have pets and our neighbors have not moved in yet. There are also no pets running around. I thought it may have been to the last few days of constant rain causing fungus but if that was the case, I would see brown spots throughout my entire lawn. What could have caused it and how do I fix it?



My backyard faces east so from sunrise until the sun begins to set, the lawn gets full sun for the most part of the day. Thanks in advance for any helps or advice.

 

[MasterMech]

The grid lines are likely low spots in between pieces of sod. Taller grass blades are usually slightly darker in color. Top dressing or time will help with that. The other possibility is that some of your Milo found its way into the cracks between sod strips and that's causing the dark green color.

No idea on your specific grass type or the brown spot. But the good fellas will be along shortly!

 

[goodtimes1104]

The grid lines are likely low spots in between pieces of sod. Taller grass blades are usually slightly darker in color. Top dressing or time will help with that. The other possibility is that some of your Milo found its way into the cracks between sod strips and that's causing the dark green color.

No idea on your specific grass type or the brown spot. But the good fellas will be along shortly!

Would you suggest simply laying topsoil or adding seed to the grid lines once I find out what type of grass I have?

 

[MasterMech]

The grid lines are likely low spots in between pieces of sod. Taller grass blades are usually slightly darker in color. Top dressing or time will help with that. The other possibility is that some of your Milo found its way into the cracks between sod strips and that's causing the dark green color.

No idea on your specific grass type or the brown spot. But the good fellas will be along shortly!

Would you suggest simply laying topsoil or adding seed to the grid lines once I find out what type of grass I have?

This answer would depend on what type of grass you have. A close up photo might help ID it.

 

[g-man]

It is too far to tell from the images.

 

[goodtimes1104]

Close-ups of grass

 

[g-man]

This looks like a northern blend. I see fescue in there and what looks like ryegrass.

But I also see some brown areas that look like fungus. I would go to home Depot/Lowe's and trying to get a fungicide asap. Also, avoid watering in the evenings (of course the current rains don't help).

@ericgautier could you move this to the cool season forum?

 

[goodtimes1104]

This looks like a northern blend. I see fescue in there and what looks like ryegrass.

But I also see some brown areas that look like fungus. I would go to home Depot/Lowe's and trying to get a fungicide asap. Also, avoid watering in the evenings (of course the current rains don't help).

@ericgautier could you move this to the cool season forum?

Thank you and no problem.

 

[Redtenchu]

could you move this to the cool season forum?

Done.

 

[goodtimes1104]

This looks like a northern blend. I see fescue in there and what looks like ryegrass.

But I also see some brown areas that look like fungus. I would go to home Depot/Lowe's and trying to get a fungicide asap. Also, avoid watering in the evenings (of course the current rains don't help).

@ericgautier could you move this to the cool season forum?

My builder just got back to me today and confirmed that I have 90% tall fescue and 10%ryegrass. I used a rake to clean up the brown spot and that grass was dead. It literally came off as if I was brushing away trimmed hair from a haircut. I also found a similar part on my front yard. Regarding the fungicide, can I overseed and throw fungicide at the same time?

 

[g-man]

Yes. Getting the fungicide applied should be your priority so no more lawn dies. What is your height of cut? Could you post images of the dead grass? Picking a fungicide targeted to your fungus is optimal.

At this point try to apply Scotts DiseaseEx.

 

[goodtimes1104]

Yes. Getting the fungicide applied should be your priority so no more lawn dies. What is your height of cut? Could you post images of the dead grass? Picking a fungicide targeted to your fungus is optimal.

At this point try to apply Scotts DiseaseEx.

I only mow the front lawn and one side of my home where the grass is fuller. I've set my wheels to a 4 inch height and I'm getting a very small trim in those areas. My backyard is much thinner and where I found the brown spot so I have not ran the lawn mower more than once since I moved in (October 2017). When I did run it in early April, I'd say I had my wheels at about 3 inches and even then I was barely able to cut anything off. I went ahead and threw down some Scotts Turf Builder (Thirk R Lawn) this afternoon hoping that I could take advantage of tomorrows rain. I did buy some Scotts DiseaseEx but was hesitant to throw it down (afraid to burn my lawn). Now I'm trying to figure out if I could throw down the DiseaseEx after the rain where we will have a few days of sun.

 

[g-man]

Diseaseex won't burn your lawn. Don't apply it is there is a downpour of rain in the forecast. Check the label because it might need to be watered after application to activate.

I would keep the hoc at 3in to let the grass breath. I think the nitrogen you applied might help too.

@LawnNerd transition zone fungus is out of my league. It looks like brown patch. What else should he do? I'm assuming tier 1.