Question
Hi.  I have a new home, irrigation and sod were installed by the builder (bermundagrass celebration).  I live in south-central Texas.  They put down a layer of sandy loam on top of the natural earth.  My quest. is about brown/dying patches of sod and spaces between the sod pieces after a month of watering/growth.  Do you think this sounds like a water or nutritional issue?  Should I put down soil over the sod for filler in the spaces?  Think I can revived the brown patch or will I have to replace?  Thanks for your help.

Answer
Jason:

Without an analysis, diagnosis will be difficult.

As I remember, you have received a high amount of rain.  That coupled with irrigation, probably scheduled regularly, may have caused a fungus to attack the lawn.

If the damage is recent, you may try for revival.  Green should appear soon in brown spots.  If brown patches become larger, then your problem could be fungus or something in the soil.

A soil test is simple.  Get one to dispell need for toxicity tests.  A tissue analysis can be done through the ag agent or Texas A&M.  This should ID fungus if done properly.

Replacement will depend on your tastes.  Sod can easily be layed over bare areas and take well, assuming the problem has been treated.  Do not allow laying of sod over dead plant material.  Remove this first down to the soil.

Do your neighbors have the same problem?

I have a question about the guarantee on your new home.  Does it cover the lawn?  How long does it last for landscape items?  If that is still good, replacement should be a painless process, again, assuming that the problem is solved before repair is done.

We used to have to guarantee contract installations for a year, even if the owner did not maintain well.

Best wishes.