I had a new lawn and sprinkler system professionally installed in 1999.
Every year since 2002 there have been numerous dead spots everywhere. It
looks like it will be the same this year. I have always had a professional
landscaper take care of the fertilizer/weed killer/grub control
applications. (I usually apply starter fert. between his applications-this
was a tip from the lawn installation company). He has been unable to
explain why my grass dies.



The water from my point well has a lot of iron in it. The grass is Kentucky
Blue grass and was originally hydroseeded. My neighbor next door does not
have my lawns problem. His lawn/sprinklers were professionally installed in
'99 too, by a different company. His grass was from seed and his water is
city water; no iron.



Pictures can be seen at: http://www.outsourceparts.com/crappylawn (click on
the thumbnails for larger view)



-Is the iron a problem?

-Am I stressing the grass with the starter fertilizer?

-Good loam was added over my original lawn- I assume that is deep enough.

-I mow at 2.75" (1" lower for the last mowing)



What do you think the problem is?

where do u live
How much water is it getting per week
whats it like when u walk on it is it spongy
the pic are good but a nice pic of the blade and root might help

Icarii



"Jeffrey K. Judd" wrote in message
news:CtDdc.792$rC3.31625@attbi_s53...
I had a new lawn and sprinkler system professionally installed in 1999.
Every year since 2002 there have been numerous dead spots everywhere. It
looks like it will be the same this year. I have always had a
professional
landscaper take care of the fertilizer/weed killer/grub control
applications. (I usually apply starter fert. between his applications-this
was a tip from the lawn installation company). He has been unable to
explain why my grass dies.



The water from my point well has a lot of iron in it. The grass is
Kentucky
Blue grass and was originally hydroseeded. My neighbor next door does not
have my lawns problem. His lawn/sprinklers were professionally installed
in
'99 too, by a different company. His grass was from seed and his water is
city water; no iron.



Pictures can be seen at: http://www.outsourceparts.com/crappylawn (click
on
the thumbnails for larger view)



-Is the iron a problem?

-Am I stressing the grass with the starter fertilizer?

-Good loam was added over my original lawn- I assume that is deep enough.

-I mow at 2.75" (1" lower for the last mowing)



What do you think the problem is?

Jeffrey K. Judd wrote:

I had a new lawn and sprinkler system professionally installed in 1999.
Every year since 2002 there have been numerous dead spots everywhere. It
looks like it will be the same this year. I have always had a professional
landscaper take care of the fertilizer/weed killer/grub control
applications. (I usually apply starter fert. between his applications-this
was a tip from the lawn installation company). He has been unable to
explain why my grass dies.

The water from my point well has a lot of iron in it. The grass is Kentucky
Blue grass and was originally hydroseeded. My neighbor next door does not
have my lawns problem. His lawn/sprinklers were professionally installed in
'99 too, by a different company. His grass was from seed and his water is
city water; no iron.

Pictures can be seen at: http://www.outsourceparts.com/crappylawn (click on
the thumbnails for larger view)

-Is the iron a problem?

-Am I stressing the grass with the starter fertilizer?

-Good loam was added over my original lawn- I assume that is deep enough.

-I mow at 2.75" (1" lower for the last mowing)

What do you think the problem is?


Are you getting salt spray from winter traffic on a nearby street?

So im thinking snow mold, Rake away the matted tissue and overseed any thin
areas after the grass begins to grow
Light fertilizer is ok
I would like to see it after its been growing for while maybe after its been
cut a few times
Also check yor thatch level 1\2 inch is okay

wish i could be more help
Icarii

Jeffrey K. Judd wrote:

"Doug G" wrote in message
...
Jeffrey K. Judd wrote:

I had a new lawn and sprinkler system professionally installed in 1999.
Every year since 2002 there have been numerous dead spots everywhere.
It
looks like it will be the same this year. I have always had a
professional
landscaper take care of the fertilizer/weed killer/grub control
applications. (I usually apply starter fert. between his
applications-this
was a tip from the lawn installation company). He has been unable to
explain why my grass dies.

The water from my point well has a lot of iron in it. The grass is
Kentucky
Blue grass and was originally hydroseeded. My neighbor next door does
not
have my lawns problem. His lawn/sprinklers were professionally
installed in
'99 too, by a different company. His grass was from seed and his water
is
city water; no iron.

Pictures can be seen at: http://www.outsourceparts.com/crappylawn (click
on
the thumbnails for larger view)

-Is the iron a problem?

-Am I stressing the grass with the starter fertilizer?

-Good loam was added over my original lawn- I assume that is deep
enough.

-I mow at 2.75" (1" lower for the last mowing)

What do you think the problem is?


Are you getting salt spray from winter traffic on a nearby street?


I live on a dead end with woods on two sides so roadsalt would not be an
issue. I do have a suspicion that the dead spots have something to do with
the snow. Is there a fungus or mold (other than snow mold) that could kill
grass?

Thanks,
Jeff

I'd let the landscaper do *all* of the fertilizing or fertilize the lawn
the same way as the neighbor who doesn't have the problem.

I'm not a lawn care pro.

"Icarii" wrote in message
...
where do u live
How much water is it getting per week
whats it like when u walk on it is it spongy
the pic are good but a nice pic of the blade and root might help

Icarii



"Jeffrey K. Judd" wrote in message
news:CtDdc.792$rC3.31625@attbi_s53...
I had a new lawn and sprinkler system professionally installed in 1999.
Every year since 2002 there have been numerous dead spots everywhere.
It
looks like it will be the same this year. I have always had a
professional
landscaper take care of the fertilizer/weed killer/grub control
applications. (I usually apply starter fert. between his
applications-this
was a tip from the lawn installation company). He has been unable to
explain why my grass dies.



The water from my point well has a lot of iron in it. The grass is
Kentucky
Blue grass and was originally hydroseeded. My neighbor next door does
not
have my lawns problem. His lawn/sprinklers were professionally
installed
in
'99 too, by a different company. His grass was from seed and his water
is
city water; no iron.



Pictures can be seen at: http://www.outsourceparts.com/crappylawn (click
on
the thumbnails for larger view)



-Is the iron a problem?

-Am I stressing the grass with the starter fertilizer?

-Good loam was added over my original lawn- I assume that is deep
enough.

-I mow at 2.75" (1" lower for the last mowing)



What do you think the problem is?


I live in Massachusetts.
With the sprinkler system I probably water too much rather than too little-
I did back off on the watering last year.
I never noticed a spongy feeling other than becuse the grass is fairly deep.
I will look at getting a root and blade picture.

Thanks,
Jeff

"Doug G" wrote in message
...
Jeffrey K. Judd wrote:

I had a new lawn and sprinkler system professionally installed in 1999.
Every year since 2002 there have been numerous dead spots everywhere.
It
looks like it will be the same this year. I have always had a
professional
landscaper take care of the fertilizer/weed killer/grub control
applications. (I usually apply starter fert. between his
applications-this
was a tip from the lawn installation company). He has been unable to
explain why my grass dies.

The water from my point well has a lot of iron in it. The grass is
Kentucky
Blue grass and was originally hydroseeded. My neighbor next door does
not
have my lawns problem. His lawn/sprinklers were professionally
installed in
'99 too, by a different company. His grass was from seed and his water
is
city water; no iron.

Pictures can be seen at: http://www.outsourceparts.com/crappylawn (click
on
the thumbnails for larger view)

-Is the iron a problem?

-Am I stressing the grass with the starter fertilizer?

-Good loam was added over my original lawn- I assume that is deep
enough.

-I mow at 2.75" (1" lower for the last mowing)

What do you think the problem is?


Are you getting salt spray from winter traffic on a nearby street?

I live on a dead end with woods on two sides so roadsalt would not be an
issue. I do have a suspicion that the dead spots have something to do with
the snow. Is there a fungus or mold (other than snow mold) that could kill
grass?

Thanks,
Jeff

does your neighbor take care of snow sooner? does he get rid of snow more then
you ?

"Jeffrey K. Judd" wrote:

I had a new lawn and sprinkler system professionally installed in 1999.
Every year since 2002 there have been numerous dead spots everywhere. It
looks like it will be the same this year. I have always had a professional
landscaper take care of the fertilizer/weed killer/grub control
applications. (I usually apply starter fert. between his applications-this
was a tip from the lawn installation company). He has been unable to
explain why my grass dies.

The water from my point well has a lot of iron in it. The grass is Kentucky
Blue grass and was originally hydroseeded. My neighbor next door does not
have my lawns problem. His lawn/sprinklers were professionally installed in
'99 too, by a different company. His grass was from seed and his water is
city water; no iron.

Pictures can be seen at: http://www.outsourceparts.com/crappylawn (click on
the thumbnails for larger view)

-Is the iron a problem?

-Am I stressing the grass with the starter fertilizer?

-Good loam was added over my original lawn- I assume that is deep enough.

-I mow at 2.75" (1" lower for the last mowing)

What do you think the problem is?

Is it possible that some areas of the yard are being missed by the
sprinkler? I had a couple of spots that just were not getting as much
water as the rest of the yard due to the way the sprinkler patterns
overlapped (or rather didn't overlap). When we'd hit a dry patch these
spots would dry out and the yard would go brown in these areas. Here's
a test. Get two equal containers about 3 ~ 4 inches deep (something
like a tupperware container will do nicely). Put one container in the
middle of one of your chronic dead spots. Put the other where the grass
does well. Run your sprinkler system through a cycle. Does the
container from the dead spot have a lot less water? If so you need to
have the heads adjusted.

Jeffrey K. Judd wrote:

I had a new lawn and sprinkler system professionally installed in 1999.
Every year since 2002 there have been numerous dead spots everywhere. It
looks like it will be the same this year. I have always had a professional
landscaper take care of the fertilizer/weed killer/grub control
applications. (I usually apply starter fert. between his applications-this
was a tip from the lawn installation company). He has been unable to
explain why my grass dies.



The water from my point well has a lot of iron in it. The grass is Kentucky
Blue grass and was originally hydroseeded. My neighbor next door does not
have my lawns problem. His lawn/sprinklers were professionally installed in
'99 too, by a different company. His grass was from seed and his water is
city water; no iron.



Pictures can be seen at: http://www.outsourceparts.com/crappylawn (click on
the thumbnails for larger view)



-Is the iron a problem?

-Am I stressing the grass with the starter fertilizer?

-Good loam was added over my original lawn- I assume that is deep enough.

-I mow at 2.75" (1" lower for the last mowing)



What do you think the problem is?

"Anonymous" wrote in message
news:9Viec.13694$wP1.31983@attbi_s54...
Is it possible that some areas of the yard are being missed by the
sprinkler? I had a couple of spots that just were not getting as much
water as the rest of the yard due to the way the sprinkler patterns
overlapped (or rather didn't overlap). When we'd hit a dry patch these
spots would dry out and the yard would go brown in these areas. Here's
a test. Get two equal containers about 3 ~ 4 inches deep (something
like a tupperware container will do nicely). Put one container in the
middle of one of your chronic dead spots. Put the other where the grass
does well. Run your sprinkler system through a cycle. Does the
container from the dead spot have a lot less water? If so you need to
have the heads adjusted.

Jeffrey K. Judd wrote:

I had a new lawn and sprinkler system professionally installed in 1999.
Every year since 2002 there have been numerous dead spots everywhere.
It
looks like it will be the same this year. I have always had a
professional
landscaper take care of the fertilizer/weed killer/grub control
applications. (I usually apply starter fert. between his
applications-this
was a tip from the lawn installation company). He has been unable to
explain why my grass dies.



The water from my point well has a lot of iron in it. The grass is
Kentucky
Blue grass and was originally hydroseeded. My neighbor next door does
not
have my lawns problem. His lawn/sprinklers were professionally
installed in
'99 too, by a different company. His grass was from seed and his water
is
city water; no iron.



Pictures can be seen at: http://www.outsourceparts.com/crappylawn (click
on
the thumbnails for larger view)



-Is the iron a problem?

-Am I stressing the grass with the starter fertilizer?

-Good loam was added over my original lawn- I assume that is deep
enough.

-I mow at 2.75" (1" lower for the last mowing)



What do you think the problem is?


I have been meaning to do a water volume test ever since I had the
sprinklers installed in '99. Pure laziness has prevented it from getting
done. I think, if anything, I am over watering. I don't think my coverage
is a problem; everything seems to get hit pretty well.

I am pretty sure that my problem is snow mold and I am the cause by applying
starter fertilizer between my Lawn care companies applications. I read that
too much nitrogen could weaken the grasses resistance to snow mold. I will
stop doing that, at least near the end of the season.

"Jim Morrison" wrote in message
...
does your neighbor take care of snow sooner? does he get rid of snow more
then
you ?

"Jeffrey K. Judd" wrote:

I had a new lawn and sprinkler system professionally installed in 1999.
Every year since 2002 there have been numerous dead spots everywhere.
It
looks like it will be the same this year. I have always had a
professional
landscaper take care of the fertilizer/weed killer/grub control
applications. (I usually apply starter fert. between his
applications-this
was a tip from the lawn installation company). He has been unable to
explain why my grass dies.

The water from my point well has a lot of iron in it. The grass is
Kentucky
Blue grass and was originally hydroseeded. My neighbor next door does
not
have my lawns problem. His lawn/sprinklers were professionally
installed in
'99 too, by a different company. His grass was from seed and his water
is
city water; no iron.

Pictures can be seen at: http://www.outsourceparts.com/crappylawn (click
on
the thumbnails for larger view)

-Is the iron a problem?

-Am I stressing the grass with the starter fertilizer?

-Good loam was added over my original lawn- I assume that is deep
enough.

-I mow at 2.75" (1" lower for the last mowing)

What do you think the problem is?

We both just let the snow melt at its own pace. My yard is a couple of
feet lower in elevation and I think the cold air settles in my yard causing
the snow to last a little longer.

"Jeffrey K. Judd" wrote in message
news:CtDdc.792$rC3.31625@attbi_s53...
I had a new lawn and sprinkler system professionally installed in 1999.
Every year since 2002 there have been numerous dead spots everywhere. It
looks like it will be the same this year. I have always had a
professional
landscaper take care of the fertilizer/weed killer/grub control
applications. (I usually apply starter fert. between his applications-this
was a tip from the lawn installation company). He has been unable to
explain why my grass dies.



The water from my point well has a lot of iron in it. The grass is
Kentucky
Blue grass and was originally hydroseeded. My neighbor next door does not
have my lawns problem. His lawn/sprinklers were professionally installed
in
'99 too, by a different company. His grass was from seed and his water is
city water; no iron.



Pictures can be seen at: http://www.outsourceparts.com/crappylawn (click
on
the thumbnails for larger view)



-Is the iron a problem?

-Am I stressing the grass with the starter fertilizer?

-Good loam was added over my original lawn- I assume that is deep enough.

-I mow at 2.75" (1" lower for the last mowing)



What do you think the problem is?





It's fusarium patch.... or otherwise known as snow mold. You lawn will
recover, but may suffer again in the mid summer. My suggestion would be to
turn off your sprinkler this year. Don't fertilize in the summer and cut it
quite short for the last cut of the year.

Peter H