[billethkid]

It is apparent there is a significant fungus problem by just observing the common areas in TV. Look how much they replaced along the Buena Vista last year. And now see "miles" of dead grass again this year.

We had a substantial amount removed from our yard last year. Did everything we were told to do watering, etc. The new sod took hold very nicely. Great looking lawn again last fall.

If you look at our front lawn today it is now worse than it was last year before the sod replacement. We have been told by our lawn care people that the last couple of years has been the worst for fungus they have EVER experienced. They apply fungus killer...and even if it works it takes 2-3 years for the affected area to recover.

I have reached several conclusions:
..the fungus problem is real...it is not cinch or any other bug.
..it takes more than 3 years to even start to look like recovery.
..replacing with new sod is futile if one has others caring for (cutting) your lawn as they track everything from an infected area to your lawn.
..the fungus battle is not winnable.
..having that nice green carpet looking lawn like up North is unattainable in FL sand/bug/fungus/contractors environment.
..I will no longer have areas re-sodded.
..this year I am having the dead lawn areas removed and replaced with stone mulched beds. Eventually I expect to have no grass in the front yard (I can hardly wait).

If a certain percentage of the property must be in grass, those that measure such things can go look in the back....why does the lawn at the back of the house always look better than the front?

Any suggestions/experience/comments/added conclusiond?

btk

[KathieI]

BTK, I had fungus in my front and back yards this year and it was horrible. I thought it was a cinch bug issue but I had 1800pestcontrol come out and they took immediate action on it. As of right now, all my grass is green, healthy and looks beautiful. I am very satisfied with them that I did sign a yearly contract. They came back 2 more times to follow up without my having to call them and the results are fantastic. We didn't have this problem in CA guess because of the dryness so I wasn't experienced in this kind of situation. I just love the look of green grass that I would never replace it with rocks. Just my opinion....

[bkcunningham1]

I really encourage people to take advantage of their local State Cooperative Extension Agents. Remember Hank Kimball on the old television series Green Acres? Well, they are very knowledgeable and free. Well, not free because we pay for them with tax dollars. So I say take advantage of their expertise. After you get in contact with one, they are usually not so busy and they love to help. My experience at least. They are usually connected with a state university.



http://landscaping.suite101.com/arti...e_florida_lawn


http://lake.ifas.ufl.edu/

http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map/

[champion6]

I take pride in my lawn "up north." I guess I'll begin learning all over when we move to TV. It could be fun... or frustrating?!?

[Pats2010]

Originally Posted by champion6

I take pride in my lawn "up north." I guess I'll begin learning all over when we move to TV. It could be fun... or frustrating?!?

Funny, I have the same thoughts.

[chuckinca]

Trying to grow grass on a sand dune gets pricey!

.

[billethkid]

simple terms. "trying to grow grass on a sand dune can get pricey"....says it all.
When one contemplates:
..the watering required (thousands of gallons per month..$$$)
..the monthly fertilzing it takes because sand has no nutrients to grow grass $$$
..the watering system maintenance replacing sprinkler heads and water valves $$$
..the weekly mowing/edging/trimming $$$
..etc $$$

I understand all the above and have done it for years in areas where grass does grow naturally with significantly less of any or all the above.

There are alternatives to grass, that make a property look just as elegant as the (northern type) manicured lawn. And that is what I am pursuing.

I may even have a little sign put in the front bed...please enjoy my alternative to growing grass on a sand dune!!!!

btk