Does that spot dry out faster than the rest of the yard? I have a few areas that dry out faster, and I normally hand water to supplement the sprinklers when it gets really hot. Those areas this week were noticeably shorter than the rest of my lawn.

 

Up until the last few weeks I would have said no, it would have been the spot directly in the center of the lawn. However over the last few weeks it's been the area we are talking about. It seems super dry all the time no matter how much water I throw at it.

I was hitting it with extra water using a hose on the non irrigation days but I stopped since that's water every day of the week.

Had you told me we would we have zero rainfall for 60 days, I would have figured the center of my lawn would be suffering rather than the spot mentioned in the original post.

 

No natural rain and temps as high as 111 will definitely make those spots stand out more. As long as it is alive, I wouldn't worry about it growing more slowly than the rest for now. I'm happy to have made it through the summer so far. Some rain sure would be nice though!

 

Your SA looks fantastic. I haven't seen any lawns in the Houston area that look that good. Hoping for some rain and relief from the brutal heat.

 

Thanks I really appreciate it, it's rather unfair since I took this photo during the morning! By mid day it's absolutely torched, but seems To rebound by the next morning.

Each day though it's looking less and less like the photo shown. As DFW St aug mentioned, I'm thankful I made it this far all things considered.

Hoping for rain soon, hopefully by mid august 🤷‍♂

 

Hey @Austinite do you mind reading my thread?

Every day this section of my lawn is thinning really, really bad. Although the drought and heat isn't helping I'm not seeing any browning but flat out disappearing. My neighbors lawn is turning brown from heat and drought but not thinning out like the problem area mentioned In OP.

I'm concerned that it may be a grub issue? Any concern even if I used imidocloprid back in may as preventative?

Sorry to bother you just getting kind of desperate over here.

 

I would check for webworms as well. They usually will not eat SA if bermuda is available but have seen some photos here where they were active in SA lawns. Can you take some close ups of the edge on the affected area?

 

If you're seeing thinning I would get an insecticide down, either sprayable bifenthrin or grab thishttps://www.lowes.com/pd/BAYER-ADVANCED-24-Hour-Grub-Killer-Plus-10-lb-Insect-Killer/3353712 from Lowes or Home Depot. In your St. Augustine, chinch bugs are gonna be enemy #1, and they move fast. I have corrected 2 yards this season from bugs, that stuff works.

 

I would check for webworms as well. They usually will not eat SA if bermuda is available but have seen some photos here where they were active in SA lawns. Can you take some close ups of the edge on the affected area?

I've checked for worms at night and throughout day and don't seem to see any insects. I did apply talstar extra less than a month ago and due for another preventative application in a week.

Here's some photos, I did attach a photo of healthy turf that's really close to the affected areas. You can see from the affected area I had laid down a thin layer of compost in hopes it would help hold in water. This area used to be very lush.

 

@Boomhauer

What is all that tree bark/mulch looking mix at the base of your grass? If you used a topsoil that was full of bark or mulch, it could be acting as a barrier and preventing water and air from getting through effectively. I would first make an attempt at raking that up and getting it out of your lawn. You don't want anything in the lawn that is "Chunky". Try at least that area.

Also looking at the blades, many seem to be laying down. It could be that you are getting high traffic there. If you have cameras, maybe check and see if kids are walking on it to get to front door, or delivery drivers walking across the lawn to drop off packages.

Lastly, if you have a manual aerator, I would use it liberally in that area in case it developed LDS (Localized Dry Spot). If you don't have an aerator use anything to poke into the lawn every few inches to about 4 inches deep. You don't have to pull cores, just open the soil up. I honestly don't think that LDS is the problem or your blades would be yellow and withered (a few blades are, but not enough to be LDS). Just another step in an elimination process. Hand water after aerating and throw some extra fertilizer in that area.

Grass looks healthy otherwise, I don't see any issue with insects or fungus. Personally I think it's a combination of traffic and the mulch-like material.

Great job going preventative for pest control!

 

@Austinite

Thanks for taking the time to respond, I'll def take up the bark material. I had laid down a thin layer of compost (from lowes) so unfortunately it probably wasn't the best quality. I figured it would help keep the area moist and help fill back in since I could the see the soil.

You answered my next question about fertilizing, I'll try and hit it on my next application next week. I was concerned that fertilizer might make it worst, but I'll be sure to hand water this area afterwards.

I really was concerned that I might have some fungus issues, so I'll keep my fungicide treatment at preventative rates!

Should I just use a large drill but possibly to help aerate that section ?

 

I also don't see any fungus or insect damage. The cut quality looks OK. There is some shredding but I think that is normal for SA. I don't think that would cause it to stop growing though. At this point I have to agree with @Austinite that it is either lack of water or traffic causing the issue.

 

@Austinite

Should I just use a large drill but possibly to help aerate that section ?

Sure, a large 1/2 inch drill bit will do if you have one. Even if not, use anything you have.