Question
My lawn developed leaf spot last year and it may have even started the year before that, but I did not know it.  This year, I knew something was wrong.  Thinning of grass, different levels of growth etc.  My lawn care service applied a fungicide but I believe after 12 years of providing good care for my lawn, now is the time to reseed with a seed slitter.  Do you know someone who provides this service or where I can obtain the equipment to do it myself?  My green lush lawn is gone but I know if I am diligent I can revive it.  Can you help me?
Thank you C.J.

Karen
Canton, MI

Answer
Hi Karen,

As for who provides this service or where to find the equipment, you'd have to do some local searching. You should be able to do both with a few phone calls.

Leaf spot is a seasonal problem that can usually be prevented reasonably with a good variety of grasses and a balanced fertility program. When it becomes a real problem, a fungicide application can also help, but only for a month or so.

I would recommend doing a core aeration and over-seeding as opposed to slit seeding. The aeration will have the added benefit of reducing thatch, which also helps with overall health and disease resistance. I would also recommend doing this every 2 years, not every 12. Twelve years is a very long time to go without introducing new varieties of seed.

Good luck!

-C.J. Brown