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lawn problem need help
I planted an acre of grass 21 months ago. the first year I had a rust problem. This pass summer and even now I have circles and different shapes and strips of green grass. where most of the grass is more of a yellower color. I have fertilized this acre a lot with urea. but mostly 12-12-12.
I used tsc grass seed. Can anybody help me. I am new to this forum. thanks
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lawn problem need help
Fungus is the worst. I had rust on my last lawn (spread by a crappy landscaper who didn't wash his equipment) and spend hundreds of $$$ on anti-fungal spray (Dithane IIRC) which basically did nothing. Don't waste your money! I'm not sure what the best solution is, but this worked for me. I fertilized the heck out of it for two years straight, mowing twice a week during the growing season (bagged the clippings), and washed the mower good after each mowing. The third year I started cutting back on fertilizer and the fungus didn't come back. At least not before the house sold.
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lawn problem need help
I would suggest you take a soil sample test (several) in your troubled areas , have them analyzed by your County Extension agent!
Without the information of who, what, where the soil came from etc. etc. etc. Adding more of this and that will only make matters worse!
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lawn problem need help
Get several soil samples. A couple in each area. 10 to 1 the Ph is way out in those areas and you will need lots of ag lime to bring the entire area into shape.
The other concern I would have is sandy spots or shallow top soil, layers of gravel to close to surface. Sand and gravel will not hold the moisture for the grasses to establish and trying to mow to short in dry weather lets what moisture that is there evaporate to quickly.
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lawn problem need help
I'm far from an expert but in my experience you can adjust soil pH until the cows come home and it won't affect fungal diseases much. Fungus is a parasite and as long as conditions are ripe for turf growth the fungus is happy.
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lawn problem need help
I don't know about fungus, but the guy that built my house just spread all the subsoil from digging out the basement and threw some grass seed down. Doesn't exactly have uch nutrients in it. So that's why my grass sucks.
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lawn problem need help
I have several questions. How large is the problem area of your lawn or is the entire area? Did you broadcast the fertilizer in an even fashion? Did you put on the 12-12-12 in mid summer when it was hot?
Getting a soil sample as was said is good but they charge for doing this, I think about $35.00. If your lawn isn't that large, that money could be used toward lime and fertilizer. Could you have put down too much fertilizer where the streaks are? If you put down too much fertilizer in mid summer when it was hot and dry you may have stressed it from over fertilizing.
The orange/rust colored fungus usually goes away the next year. If the grass is green and healthy a fungus will not attack it.
If you have a sandy soil, I'd drop some lime on it. In early spring, I do a crabgrass preventitive + fertilizer application.(just before the grass turns green). Several weeks later I do an application with like 24-3-3 or whatever followed by a 12-12-12 in about a month. When it gets warm/hot grass needs lots of water if you plan to keep it green. I generally use Ringer's(organic fertilizer)because it won't burn in summer months. It smells like chicken sxxt when applying. My nicest lawn is at the condo. My sprinkler is set for watering each zone about 20-30 minutes per day. In cooler periods, it runs just before dawn. In mid summer, it runs for 15-20 minutes just after dusk allowing the moisture to soak in during the evening. I usually hit it again for 15-20 minutes just before dawn. If water beads set on leaves of many trees and plants, the hot sun will burn spots in them. If you water too much in the evening you can get fungus. I'd also suggest broadcasting some new seed over the entire yard to re-seed. I usually blend two types of seed (one meant for sun, the other for shade) when reseeding. That way the type of seed that is fitted for the situation will take over.
At my condo, I have a very good looking lawn in a 100' x 100' area. I fertilize it every 3 weeks and spend up to $125.00 per month in water bills. It is sandy soil that I stripped and put topsoil on. Some areas of topsoil don't seem to handle the grass as well as other sections. It takes extra effort. Makes you feel like King of the Hill when your neighbors admire the estate.
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lawn problem need help
The area is low and close to a small creek. It used to be a part of a farmers field. I have put urea on a year ago to help get rid of the rust problem. this past early spring I put 12-12-12 on. and then again in mid to late summer. the grass always greens up and then it goes yellowish. and then this fall I had a lot of mushrooms. and then the circles and different designs
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lawn problem need help
How long ago was this a farmers field? Could you be using up residual weed killer used by him?
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lawn problem need help
the last farm crop was corn in the year of 2002. The farmer is a no till farmer
I bought the land in jan 2003, and planted grass in march of 2003. I mowed it the summers of 2003 and 2004. Like suggested above, I think I need to soil sample and go from there. I also need to contact my extension office.
Thanks for the responses.
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