Knowledgebase
What's killing my lawn #413553
Asked July 11, 2017, 7:07 PM EDT
Arapahoe County Colorado
Expert Response
If these spots were in good shape until recently, lawns are experiencing a disease called ascochyta leaf blight. More information here:
http://csuhort.blogspot.com/2017/05/ascochyta-leaf-blight-on-lawns-2017.html
Based on your photos, the turf that is a faded bluish-green color indicates that irrigation coverage is lacking. Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) lawns may require 2.5 inches of water (or more) per week during the heat of summer. Assuming you have an automatic sprinkler system, please consider testing it to determine the exact amount of water that is being applied in the areas of concern. Even if it is getting less than 0.1 inch than other areas, that difference in water adds up quickly under hot summer growing conditions. To test your system, place identical small cans or bowls (like cat food cans or tuna cans) in areas where the turf is healthy and green, as well as areas where the turf is brown. Run the sprinkler for 10 minutes, then compare the amount of water in each of the cans. Also verify that heads are working properly, that they are properly aligned or not too deep, and nozzles and filters are clear.
Also, insert a long-bladed screwdriver into the problem area, then compare the ease of blade entry with that of another area that is green. If it is more difficult to insert the screwdriver into the problem area, then it's possible that the soil is compacted and water may be running off of it before soaking in. The solution to this is to make sure to core aerate twice each year; once in the spring (April) and again in the fall (September). Multiple passes need to be done for this to be effective, especially in the problem areas. After aeration, you can also overseed with a high-quality blend of drought tolerant KBG. Seeds will fall into the aeration holes, and by watering new seed twice per day, it will germinate in a couple of weeks. There are several varieties of KBG that are noted to be drought tolerant, or there is also Hybrid Bluegrass (Thermal Blue, Spitfire and others) that is very similar in appearance but has better heat and drought tolerance.
Another observation is that the areas in the photos appear to be along a sidewalk? Turf along sidewalks and driveways experience a higher level of heat and sun reflection than other areas. Turf along sidewalks also tends to be more compacted (from foot traffic) and also can experience burn from dog urine. Be sure to water thoroughly to leach these affected areas.
http://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/lawns/1503-dog-spots/
Dr. Tony Koski, CSU Extension Turf Specialist, has written many blogs on these lawn issues:
http://csuhort.blogspot.com/2016/07/turf-rant-believe-me-it-is-irrigation.html
http://csuhort.blogspot.com/2015/07/what-pain-in-ascochyta.html
http://csuhort.blogspot.com/2016/06/its-ascochyta-time.html
And for more information on general lawn care, see these links:
http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/watering-established-lawns-7-199/
http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/lawn-care-7-202/