Silver gray grass spot - Ask Extension
I have a certain spot on my lawn that turns silver gray and dies each year. I replaced the turf last fall and it is happening again. Is this a fungus?...
Knowledgebase
Silver gray grass spot #131354
Asked June 01, 2013, 2:22 PM EDT
I have a certain spot on my lawn that turns silver gray and dies each year. I replaced the turf last fall and it is happening again. Is this a fungus? Or an insect? I've tried several options with no luck. It is now June 1 and only gets bigger throughout the summer. Any ideas?
Arapahoe County Colorado
Expert Response
You mentioned that you have tried "several options with no luck".
Can you provide me with more information on these options that you have tried so far?
Can you provide me with more information on these options that you have tried so far?
1. Checked watering....it looked OK, but I did not compare to other 'healthy' parts of the lawn
2. Sprayed anti-fungus stuff
3. Last Labor Day, dug out the entire area, relayed down new sod...it came in great this spring!
I see lots of rabbits in that spot - gonna throw down some pepper to scare them off...
I haven't tried any insect killer....that is next up....!
Any ideas you have would be great!
Thanks! Peter
2. Sprayed anti-fungus stuff
3. Last Labor Day, dug out the entire area, relayed down new sod...it came in great this spring!
I see lots of rabbits in that spot - gonna throw down some pepper to scare them off...
I haven't tried any insect killer....that is next up....!
Any ideas you have would be great!
Thanks! Peter
The recurrence of this same problem in the same spot after new turf is installed would not indicate that it is a fungus or insect, but rather something abiotic.
1. Consider getting a soil sample of this area to determine if there is a pocket of high salt, or some other element that may be toxic to your turf.
http://www.soiltestinglab.colostate.edu/
2. The photos of your turf show that it turns blue before turning straw colored. "Blue" bluegrass indicates lack of water. Re-check your sprinkler system in that area compared to the healthier areas. 2.25" of water per week in hot and dry conditions keeps bluegrass lawns looking healthy. Perhaps your sprinkler head is simply missing this small area. Using empty tuna cans at this point and another healthy point will help you see this after running your sprinkler through a normal cycle.
3. Not knowing your lawn/home history, there have been instances of turf burning, being replaced, then burning again. Homeowners have found that builders covered up wood scraps, cement chunks or a variety of other foreign material which interfered with proper growth of turf root systems and caused the roots to burn regardless of how much the spots were irrigated. Consider this if you have a newer home or construction work has been done.
4. Dog urination spots can cause turf damage.
http://csuturf.colostate.edu/pdffiles/Master%20Gardener/dog_urine_damage_infosheet_2009.pdf
5. Consider using repellents for other animals that my be using this spot or cordon off this area, leech through any waste, then see what the area looks like after animals are prohibited for a period of time.
6. Finally, check for things like reflections from windows, glass, garden art, etc. that might cause excessive heat or burning. I actually found a dead spot in the middle of my lawn was the reflection of the west sun off my neighbor's upper window. Everyday between 4 and 5pm, this reflection caused a specific spot to burn. Odd...but true.
Should you decide to have your turf checked for insects or fungus, contact the local extension office for directions on turf sample requirements.
Additional helpful information on lawn care can be found at:
http://csuturf.colostate.edu/Pages/extensionfactsheets.htm
1. Consider getting a soil sample of this area to determine if there is a pocket of high salt, or some other element that may be toxic to your turf.
http://www.soiltestinglab.colostate.edu/
2. The photos of your turf show that it turns blue before turning straw colored. "Blue" bluegrass indicates lack of water. Re-check your sprinkler system in that area compared to the healthier areas. 2.25" of water per week in hot and dry conditions keeps bluegrass lawns looking healthy. Perhaps your sprinkler head is simply missing this small area. Using empty tuna cans at this point and another healthy point will help you see this after running your sprinkler through a normal cycle.
3. Not knowing your lawn/home history, there have been instances of turf burning, being replaced, then burning again. Homeowners have found that builders covered up wood scraps, cement chunks or a variety of other foreign material which interfered with proper growth of turf root systems and caused the roots to burn regardless of how much the spots were irrigated. Consider this if you have a newer home or construction work has been done.
4. Dog urination spots can cause turf damage.
http://csuturf.colostate.edu/pdffiles/Master%20Gardener/dog_urine_damage_infosheet_2009.pdf
5. Consider using repellents for other animals that my be using this spot or cordon off this area, leech through any waste, then see what the area looks like after animals are prohibited for a period of time.
6. Finally, check for things like reflections from windows, glass, garden art, etc. that might cause excessive heat or burning. I actually found a dead spot in the middle of my lawn was the reflection of the west sun off my neighbor's upper window. Everyday between 4 and 5pm, this reflection caused a specific spot to burn. Odd...but true.
Should you decide to have your turf checked for insects or fungus, contact the local extension office for directions on turf sample requirements.
Additional helpful information on lawn care can be found at:
http://csuturf.colostate.edu/Pages/extensionfactsheets.htm
