Question
QUESTION: Last year we moved into a new home that was landscaped for us using a bluegrass. This year the grass grew beautifully...where it grew. Unfortunately, we have what looks like a cinammon swirl of bluegrass and a lighter green grass (unsure of the variety). How do we make the yard look even? I am new to seeding a lawn so please help if you can. Thanks

ANSWER: Cinnamon Swirl -- you must be in the bakery business, Dennis.  On a stack of Bibles I swear I have never ever heard a Grass condition described as Cinnamon Swirl.  But I like it!

My guess is, this is not as pretty as you make it sound.  But I do have to ask you, are you saying this grass is brown or tan or red tipped?  Would you consider it might have a Fungus problem?

Is it dead?  Dying?  Shaded?  Overwatered?

Odd colors at this time of year often indicate a Fungus -- and please note I am NOT suggesting you go out and buy a Fungicide!

Do you have Sun on those areas?  The same Sun exposure as your Green Bluegrass?  Please advise.

Do you have an automatic sprinkler system?  Are you using it?  (Please turn it off, you do not need to use that at this time of year if it is on.)

Your new Bluegrass was expensive so please write back asap.  I'll be looking for your answers.  Just need a better idea of what you have.  Thanks for writing.

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

QUESTION: No, what I'm trying to say is that it appears the landscapers may not have properly seeded the lawn to begin with. There appears to be two types of grasses mingled with each other. We want only the bluegrass to show. Both grasses (assuming the lighter colored is a grass) appear to be OK as far as the growth and health, we just want to make the lawn look one color - bluegrass. Should I re-seed, fertilize, weed kill or something else and what is the best time to do this? Thanks for all your help.

Answer
Ahhh! Now I get the picture.

You do realize, this is not unusual, sir?  'Blends' they're called.  The theory is -- especially when there are patches with more shade, less sun -- the stronger Grass will prevail in different areas.  Other times, you have a desirable Grass that you want to grow but it takes time to establish -- so you put down the undesirable ugly duckling, and that takes over fast, to keep Weeds from moving in.  Once the desirable Grass is mature, it elbows out the uglier Grass.  Or, if you have an Annual Ryegrass, it simply does not come back when the season is over.

Bluegrass takes a while to germinate.  The last thing you need is an invasion of weeds before the Bluegrass has even seen the light of day.  That's what Annual Rye is for.  Instant Lawn.  In Dixie, Annual Rye keeps Lawns green through the winter.  You can read about it at the Seedland.com website, where it is one of scores sold:

http://www.ryegrasses.com/

If Annual Rye was used, Purdue University's Lawn Problem Solver posts some ideas to consider (http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/lawn_problem_solver/solver/weeds/wd-annual_ryegrass.htm): 'it is frequently a major component of low quality, inexpensive contractor's lawn seed mixtures which are widely planted in new housing subdivisions.'  They post a view of Annual Ryegrass next to Perennial Ryegrass.  Do these -- either one -- look like your Cinnamon Swirl?

Now, IF YOU DO have Annual Rye, Purdue -- one of the most respected Turfgrass Centers in the world, by the way -- has a suggestion: 'Annual ryegrass does not persist when subjected to close mowing.  Therefore, one strategy to reduce annual ryegrass would be to regularly mow at 2 inches or less.  This may help reduce populations but will require several growing seasons to be effective.'

Patience will be needed for that.

Another possibility is that this is a weed called Rough Bluegrass (Poa trivialis).  You can read about it on the Purdue website: http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/lawn_problem_solver/solver/weeds/wd-roughstalk_bluegras.

'If only a few patches of rough bluegrass are present physical removal with a shovel or sod cutter is an option. Be sure, however, to remove the entire plant including stray stolons, then sod or re-seed with the desirable turfgrass species.'

When reading these paragraphs at the Purdue website, pay close attention not only to the solutions text, but also to the conditions text -- do what you can to make your soil and Lawn unpleasant for the unwanted Grass.

All of these would be assuming your Lawn is in a transitional or cool season Grass region.  Correct me if I'm totally off mark with this.

Your comments and further notes invited.  Thanks for writing.