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Originally Posted by RICH1
Why are some Lawns looking sick this year? Seems like many are having to put dirt and extra soil additives on the lawn.. The professional lawn service guy " thinks" it might be the frost but said he honestly didn't know. His exact words were, " I only spray for lawn bugs and drop fertilizer." He must be keeping the Trade Secrets to himself! Any ideas or suggestions...
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Different than last year? I keep meaning to but do not. Would be wise to collect photos and compare one year to the next.
As to lawns looking bad. We are growing warm climate grasses. Some have Empire Zoysia and others have St Augustine. In either case I would look on line for the instructions for whatever grass type you have.
With whatever grass you have it is a matter of doing the right thing at the right time.
Issues with your lawn? The first question is what and as important is why.
Endless debates. First I would get a soil test done. In most of the villages we have sandy clay with a high PH between 7-8. Solution is to improve your soil. There is no shortage of people who will sell you something. Adding organic matter makes sense.
However laying it on top of the grass-top dressing is according to me a waste of time and money. Organic material needs to be stirred into the soil not laid on top and it takes a lot of it to actually improve your soil.
The PH battle. What you want is 6.5 what you have is as above likely 7-8. Organic material will help. Sulfur will help and also prevents fungus you need to be careful not to apply too much and the change is slow-like over a year. It is also kind of expensive.
Lawn? My goal is good enough. If, as too many people do, you apply too much fertilizer, you need to water more, mow more and you will have more fungus and bugs.
The goal is balance at least my goal is balance. I do not put huge amounts of fertilizer.
I refuse to mow twice a week and water every day or two
If, you have Empire Zoysia, it takes the ? winter ? off. Last fertilizer application was in Oct of last year. Now is the time for your first application of this year.
Point, you want to cooperate with nature not fight it. The right thing at the right time.
Read instructions-your lawn cannot read. If, it says 2 lbs per 1,000 sq feet four is not twice as good and it may well burn your lawn.