Question
CJ,Hello and thank you for being so helpful with mine and the others that write in terror over our newly (3 months old)sodded yard and the many problems we face in the differant parts of the country with them.I followed your advice from your last email and am letting my yard aerate.I did water for 20 minutes this morning due to some dry looking areas i noticed yesterday while having my face to the ground trying to observe a bit more this Round spot,(looks like it was circled with a yellow marker)and the blades are yellowish with the tips of them dead?I did that tin can trick for chinch bugs and though i did notice a few insects,a little worm,Micro size,and also a black little insect also very micro in size that somewhat looked like a tadpole there was nothing that looked like a picture of a chinch bug.The grass inside of this circle looks  soured as if water has been on it and hasn't dried for some time?I also notice that the dead grass in the circle can be raked by just running your hand over it? I am writing you again for I've noticed a few more of these circles since i mowed my yard.The sod has been down for about 3 months now and I have only mowed it 3 times.I also see that the blades look torn telling me my blade needs sharpened.Anyways CJ I have been reading your many other questions on this forum and i really do believe i have dollar or Yellow spot?I also have read alot about the organic ways instead of chemicals of treating this problem but just wanted to ask you what you thought since I called the nursery where I bought the sod yesterday and was rudely told that I needed to cut a large 3x3 piece of sod to bring them before they could tell me what it is that i'm describing.It isn't all over the yard but there is a few new spots since my last emailing you.I am wanting to try the organic method but wanted to ask you what to get and the places to go to get it?As I described earlier CJ it looks like someone outlined the circle with a yellow pen and the inside circle of grass is like straw and the bottom is like soured grass black and very wet looking?We have not had any rain for about 5 days but I watered 20 minutes at 7;00 this morning.I thank you for answering this email CJ and please give me your advice and also if you think the organic way is good and where you buy it ???
                                              Thanks,
                                            David U
                                          Orlando,Fl 32812

Answer
Hi David,

The organic mathod is actually far simpler than you might realize.

Step 1) Balance fertility and water to the best of your ability.
Step 2) Amend the soil as necessary
Step 3) Pick the appropriate grass species for your region
Step 4) Let nature take its course
Step 5) Re-seed or sod anything that dies.

Organic approaches to specific problems tend to be a siren song.  They usually provide no quantifiable control, and you'd be wise not to be drawn in by their lure.

Organic fertilizers are great. Organic claims to control weeds and/or diseases are usually bogus. Just feed the lawn, make the growing environment as ideal as possible, and roll with the punches.

I think it's great that you want to go organic, but do it with the right approach in mind. Don't try to control everything. Just roll with it and repair whatever needs to be repaired. Pick up a few pieces of sod, cut out those areas that you are sure are dead, and re-sod them.

Over time problems will arise. You can't control them all, but you CAN repair the damage.  If you worry over some brown spots, you'll end up pulling your hair out.

That all said, if you want to send me some pictures, perhaps I can give you a better idea of what you are actually dealing with.  If for no other reason, you'll at least understand your situation better.

Good luck!

-C.J. Brown
www.thelawncoach.com