Knowledgebase
Patches of burned out grass #750030
Asked May 15, 2021, 1:59 AM EDT
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