Patches of burned out grass - Ask Extension
I have rtf sod that is new within last year or so. I have noticed a few spots in past couple days that have “burned out” yellowing areas. It’s n...
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Patches of burned out grass #750030
Asked May 15, 2021, 1:59 AM EDT
I have rtf sod that is new within last year or so. I have noticed a few spots in past couple days that have “burned out” yellowing areas. It’s not my dogs feces or urine. I have not put down chemical or fertilizer recently. The grass is not played on hard and nothing has been covering grass like chairs etc. I do back to a golf course. I water by sprinkler system every other day for 10 minutes. It just started showing some yellow in past 3-4 days and I can’t figure out what is causing it. I live in south Hillsboro, OR.
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
I am guessing it is localized drought stress. To make sure stick a screw driver into the soil here and compare it to other places in the lawn. If the soil is hard and dry in this spot do some hand watering.
Also, cool-season turfgrass like tall fescue should be fertilized in the spring and the fall. When fertility levels are low the turf becomes susceptible to pathogens like net blotch, red thread or Microdochium patch. It is possible you are seeing discoloration for one of these diseases (fungal pathogens). Considering this I would fertilize in the spring (April and May) and fall (October and November).
Alec
