Question about dying lawn

[BadTrip]

Any ideas why this is happening? Was thick and green two weeks ago. I fertilize regularly with Scotts and Milorganite. This is in the mountains of Western NC.

 

[dphantom]

possibly grubs

 

[pcgeek11]

I would guess Mole Crickets or Grubs.

Mole Crickets leave holes and small tunnels. I don't see any in your image.

I would go with Grubs.

 

[BadTrip]

Thanks for the replies guys. I went out an dug up some of the damage. No evidence of root damage or grubs. Also my whole lawn is doing it. .8 of an acre. Maybe I am not watering enough since it has been so hot these last few weeks.

 

[bbhaag]

Thanks for the replies guys. I went out an dug up some of the damage. No evidence of root damage or grubs. Also my whole lawn is doing it. .8 of an acre. Maybe I am not watering enough since it has been so hot these last few weeks.

That is what it looks like to me. If I'm not mistaken grass usually needs around 1" of water a week to stay green and look healthy. I'm not a turf guy though so don't hold me to that.

 

[nisryus]

My lawn is currently like that.. and a bit worst. I am in Texas so it was due to heat and not enough water.

Here is what I did...

1. dug up a sample size of the lawn and didn't see grubs.
2. It has been 100+ temp for more than a week.
3. I watered once a week, each zone for 10 mins each. Probably not enough watering.

 

[pcgeek11]

My lawn is currently like that.. and a bit worst. I am in Texas so it was due to heat and not enough water.

Here is what I did...

1. dug up a sample size of the lawn and didn't see grubs.
2. It has been 100+ temp for more than a week.
3. I watered once a week, each zone for 10 mins each. Probably not enough watering.

Nowhere near enough water.

 

[Gardener]

Summer temperatures, I vote dormancy. The blades go brown, but the plant crown and roots survive...its a survival mechanism for the plant. Just keep the roots alive with a 1-2x per month deep watering, look for recovery in the Fall with lower temperatures and the beginning of seasonal rains.

My lawn is dormant from July - September, combination of drought and temperatures...take a break from mowing. Sometimes you see the effect first along the sidewalk/driveway (hot surfaces) or and area in full sun exposure, the top of a hill, etc. I try to anticipate the dormancy period by setting my mower cut at the highest setting that looks decent.

 

[Genx87]

My lawn is currently like that.. and a bit worst. I am in Texas so it was due to heat and not enough water.

Here is what I did...

1. dug up a sample size of the lawn and didn't see grubs.
2. It has been 100+ temp for more than a week.
3. I watered once a week, each zone for 10 mins each. Probably not enough watering.

Heh in MN I would water twice daily. In Tejas I am surprised your grass wasnt dormant or dead with once a week schedule.

 

[kt]

That looks like not enough water to me. We've had 100+ consistently for the last few weeks now and I set our sprinkler to water 6 days a week in the early AM before sunrise for 8 mins. I still see some dead spots that I was able to bring back to life by watering those spots by hand every day for the last 2 weeks. Those dead spots are starting to turn green now.

 

[fralexandr]

scotts has some tips about watering

Lawn Watering Tips - When Is the Best Time to Water Your Lawn?

Learn how to work with nature, the climate and your watering system to water your lawn efficiently.

www.scotts.com

also many places recommend less frequent & longer waterings to develop deeper root systems to resist drought

Improving Your Lawn’s Drought Tolerance – Gardening Solutions

gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu

Summer is also when japanese beetles start dispersing and they're a pretty bad problem on the east coast for turf, roses and agriculture.

Japanese beetle - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[LeeC]

Easy to see, Pull on the grass, Grab a couple of hand fulls, and pull up, if it pulls up like turf..Its Grubs, Grubs, Freaking Grubs. They eat the roots, so your grass will pull up easy.
If not..water.. My money is on Grubs.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I have a Husqvarna lawn tractor. I've been mowing my lawn on a level 6 (highest setting). I mow it every 6-7 days. That helps maintain healthy growth. I was mowing on 5, but it looks healthier just a little higher.

I'm likely not too far away from where you are. My advice is not to cut the lawn too short because a lot of moisture stays in those blades. Also, if you haven't dethatched your lawn in a while, it may be helpful to consider that this Fall. I've got a dethatcher that I pull behind my lawn tractor a few times a year....then I mow with a bagging mower on the highest setting to collect the clippings/thatch that it picks up. That works wonders for water reaching the roots.