Question
We had what we thought was cinch bugs in our grass, and although we are experiencing a dry hot
season here in Ormond, Fl., the patch of dead grass is growing larger in area and spreading. It is rather irregular in shape..not completely round
as you might see in fungus disorders.
Could this possibly be a fungus?  We have treted
it for the cinch bugs with a purchased chemical
designed especially for that..We have put in plugs
of grass and sod; and that hasn't taken.
What are your suggestions?  I read where you use
baking soda on fugus of plants; but what about
sod?  What proportion do you mix with water?
Thank you Charlotte.

Inez

Answer
Hi Inez;
It could be a fungus. It could be grun worms, or a number of things.
turn over a spadeful of soil and see if you see 6 or more grubs.
One or two just show you have them , 6 or more, I would consider a serious infestation of them.
Her in the Dallas area, the june beetles come out of the ground in june, right now, there should be eggs, or wnatever their little larvae start out as, but it is possible they have formed into grubs.
I would encourage you to consider an organic program.
I have been on one for the last 8 years, and I have no incests, and no weeds, just healthy lawn and garden.
Weeds love poor soil and will not thrive in righ soil. there are beneficial microbes in the soil that work round the closk enriching the soil, and when they soil is nice and rich, the weeds will no longer be a problem.
The healthy enviornment for toads, lizards etc, make a round the clock, your long insecticide program, because they eat all the harmful insects.
I use baking soda for any fungus or mold. In grassy areas, you want to saturate the soil too, because the fungus in in or on the soil.
Corn gluten is also a good fungicide.
I have never been able to find out just how much baking soda you are supposed to use, so I use 1/4th cup per gallon of water and that has worked for me, so that is what I have stuck with.
It is probably effective to use less than that.
If you would like more information about organics, write me.
I am happy to share what I have learned.
Charlotte