Question
QUESTION: Hi Ronald,
I have a Flortram lawn that has thinned out and is squishy when you walk on it. It was thick and green and now looks pretty bad. I used Eliminator pest control to the spreader specs.
Thanks,
Vicki
ps what can I do to get it back to beartiful?

ANSWER:  'Squishy' suggests wet and yielding while 'spongy' would convey dry and yielding. If the lawn is indeed wet, then I expect it to thin out, get attacked by fungus and eventually die. You may be able to stop this process by cutting back on watering, even stopping it altogether. If it is dry and spongy, the lawn might be in need of verticutting. The runners are forming a thick layer above the ground. Verticutting requires knowledge and skill; it is best done by a professional. "Eliminator" appears to be an insecticide. It should not have much to do with the present condition.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Ronald,
"Squishy" probably wasn't the best way to describe the lawn. It's not overwatered. Neighbors around me have beautiful thick lawns. When I walk on the lawn I kind of sink a bit, and it's not due to water. Does this change your diagnosis?
Thanks,
Vicki

Answer
Only the first part is eliminated. Explore the alternative. Examine the situation closely at ground level to see if there is a thick layer of runners. If yes, this means that the runners that are not in contact with the ground cannot root and will easily stress out. This will give that thin look. Verticutting cuts up these runners; the pieces are then raked away. The lawn has a destroyed look and has to be nursed back to good health. New runners start out from the well rooted 'stubs' and the lawn gets a new lease of life. I must emphasize that verticutting requires knowledge and skill. It is usually timed to coincide with excellent growing weather.