Question
QUESTION: I'm writing about my husband's front lawn project.  He had the landscaper rototill the front strip of our house along the sidewalk and driveway this past spring and rake the area, pull weeds, and sow some new "Cool Season Grass Seeds".  The problem is that although most of the Cool Season Grass germinated, there are 3 or 4 places where it is just beginning to grow.  It still looks like very little baby grass.  And some places are still plain soil without any sign of Grass life.  Is there any reason there should be areas that the seeds would not have germinated or would take longer?  (These are all about 18 inches to 24 inches round or irregular.)  Is it possible we have some kind of fungus problem?  They received the same water and seeding as the rest of the growing lawn.  This is completely perplexing and my husband will not get any advice on it.  It seems to me there is something going on with the soil or with the Fungus.

ANSWER: Over-watered seed is prone to a disease called 'damping off'; even Grass seed can be affected.  It's easy to do with new seed.  After all, you want it to stay moist to germinate properly.  Soil that was chemically treated is devoid of the anti-'damping off' Fungi that keep this disease from erupting.  Now that the Grass seems to be germinating, you may no longer have a problem.  Keep watch; if it seems to be dieing, stop watering and let the sun bake it.  Several Fungus species are responsible -- Botrytis, Pythium, several others; they're all waiting in all soil for just the right situation.  Seed needs moisture, but in balance when you have a disease like this lurking in the shadows.  The longer a seed stays in the soil without germinating, the longer it is exposed to damping-off Fungi.

Another possibility:  patchy germination because some seed was covered too thickly.  Any chance this is what is going on?

I'm not entirely positive on this, but I recommend you go out and buy a box of pure cornmeal -- the kind you use to make corn muffins.  Then sprinkle it all over your patchy Grass and see if things don't improve.  You can't over do this; it's an organic Fungus fighter that will decompose and enrich your soil once it's there a while.

Whatever you do, do not use any kind of Fungicide on these.  That's asking for more trouble than you'll know what to do with.  Keep it simple and organic.

Thanks for writing.

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My vote is with the damping off.

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

QUESTION: I am not sure I understand the watering procedure.  How would you "stop watering and let the sun bake it" without killing the grass and the seed?

Answer
Sorry I was not clear on that.  The idea is to make sure the soil dries out -- don't water to keep it moist.  Water to keep it watered, then let it dry, and then it's time to water again.  Water ONLY when it's dry.  Spa-like, wet conditions are exactly the kind of luxury life a Fungus loves.  It would be great for the Grass if it wasn't so great for the Fungi.  Drying the soil out deflates the Fungi, but for the Grass, it just lets the roots breathe a little easier.  Think of a wet towel.  You use it, then you hang it up to let it dry out.  As long as it dries out, Fungus and Mold won't grow on it.  Same with soil.

You'll learn.  If you wait too long, the seed will wilt.  Just keep it moist until it's established.  It will be tougher then.'

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Thanks for writing.  Keep in touch.