This question was answered by Pat, Durham County Extension Master Gardener volunteer

Thank you for your question.

1 - the discoloration could be application of too much nitrogen fertilizer or it could be a fungus Rhizoctonia. Lots of rain in late winter - early spring and ideal temperature can cause the fungus. Fungicides that are available to homeowners are not very good at controlling this fungus. I suggest (and I personally use) a service that specializes in Lawn Care. Most important thing with chemical (fertilizer, weed control, fungus, insect and grub control) application is to apply the right chemical in the correct amount at the right time. These big national companies purchase in huge bulk quantities and I learned many years ago that I cannot buy them as inexpensively nor can I time the application or decide the quantity as well as these pros can do. It’s got to be one of the big national companies that specialize in lawn care ONLY and not someone who does this as well as cut grass and other landscaping jobs. Also, homeowners tend to apply too much fertilizer (nitrogen) which causes problems when it runs off into rivers and winds up in lakes like Jordan and Fall River where it causes algae to grow out of control.

Having said that make sure you get a soil test. You can get the boxes and instructions at the extension office. Pay attention to the PH result in the test and if you don’t need lime don’t let anyone put it down.

2 - Remedy- other than getting a pro to properly diagnose and apply fungicide if fungus is the cause I suggest waiting till Fall (September) to aerate, apply starter fertilizer and proper tall fescue blend of seed. Renting a core aeration machine and aerating yourself is a really good workout and very strenuous work. Again, these major lawn care specialists have the machines and can power seed and aerate while you sit on your porch with a cold iced tea and watch.

3 - A properly maintained Tall fescue lawn does not need any overseeing at any time. If you cut your grass yourself, raise the deck on your mower as high as it will go. It will need watering when the weather gets hot and dry. When you walk across the lawn if you leave footprints that don’t spring right back right away you need water. Water “deeply not daily”. 2-3 times per week with 1 inch of water overnight like 2am - 6am. That’s ideal but if you don’t have irrigation do the best you can - deeply not daily. If someone else cuts your lawn you risk the possibility that they will carry weed seeds and fungus and Bermuda grass seeds on their equipment that they will spread to your lawn. They also tend to cut too short because their equipment is used on Bermuda lawns also which requires shorter maintaining. Cutting my lawn is one of my favorite things to do. My tall fescue lawn stays green year round with some drying out toward the end of summer and some loss of deep green color in late winter.

All my neighbors tell me I have the best lawn in the neighborhood and that brings me great joy. However, I am always looking for ways to incorporate native plants and pollinator friendly plants in my landscape which are also beautiful and good for the environment. Good luck! And enjoy!

Pat Finn

NC Cooperative Extension

Durham County Center

Master Gardener Office

721 Foster Street

Durham, NC 27701

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I would just add that the only grasses that do OK here are Tall Fescue and Bermuda. I suppose that there are those that would argue this point but that is my opinion. Bermuda would tolerate the heat in summer but goes dormant in winter. Tall fescue is green all year but some seasons it looks better than others. You could also refer them to the NCSU document “Carolina Lawns”

Carolina Lawns Link

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/show_ep3_pdf/<personal data hidden>/23220/

Pat Finn

Feb. 2021, overseed with southern state profession turf seed--tall fescue blend and Scott turf builder starter with weed prevention notice in May. discoloration in spots on my side of the lawn. 1. Do you know what could be causing discoloration? 2. Any remedy I can try? In the fall, plan to overseed with southern states profession turf, but in spring should I overseed with what type of grass to have nice green SUMMER lawn. 3. what grass compliment fescue in summer months that i can overseed in spring with