Question
I am wondering why my lawn looks like a dull greeny-brown in some areas even after I think that I am watering sufficiently.  Even over the hot summer in SE Michigan this year I have been using my sprinkler system only in the morning for about 10 minutes a zone three times a week and generally not over the weekend.  I fertilized in the late spring with Scotts turfbuilder with Crabgrass control but that is really it with fertilizer use. It seems the individual grass blades range from brown at the tip and the rest of the blade green to the entire blade being brown.

I am beginning to wonder if it is a form of fungus attacking the lawn?  It is a Kentucky Bluegrass blend.  I want to send a picture but I guess I can't.  I just suspect that the watering has something to do with it.

What do you think?

Answer
Dear Mr. Michigan:

If you suspect a fungus, try asking your local ag agent if they can do a tissue analysis or plant/soil analysis to detect a fungus.  Then, you can treat with a fungicide.

The watering period sounds short to me.  Are you getting one inch of water per week with that schedule?  And I would water in the evening because it will evaporate less then.

A fungus usually grows when temperatures and moisture are ideal.  If you have had a wet spring and summer, then it could be one.  Barring that, you possibly have fertilizer burn from stress and too little water.  The herbicide in that product may have effected the lawn a bit along with the stress.  Normally, Scott's will not have herbicide burn.

Was the lawn new last fall?  Let me know how it works out.