Question
Most of my backyard is shady from 10:00am - 4:00pm. I have noticed that the dirt, not the grass, seems to have a layer of mildew on it. It also smells bad. I have a 6 zone sprinkler system that is on for 20 minutes each zone starting at 4:00am.It isn't a fungus on the grass, it's on the dirt. Have you ever seen this? If so, what can I do about it. Should I try the baking soda? Maybe I should switch the time I am watering so it dries faster. I also have some moss in my lawn! I appreciate any help!
Thanks, Jill

Answer
Hi Jill;
The sugar feeds the beneficial microbes that enrich your soil.
weeds like poor soil, and will not thrive in rich soil.
fertilizers and other chemicals kill out these beneficial microbes.Sugar, dry molasses, anything with a high sugar content feeds these microbes.
Charlotte

Hi Jill;
It IS a fungus or moss on the ground.
Probably caused by the time you are watering every day.
Watering every dy like that is a great way to cause molds.
A lot depends on the humidity of the area you live in.
It sounds like your grass doesn't ave enough sunlight time to kill off the mold or moss caused by the early morning moisture added to the morning dew.
I water at all times of the night too, but I only water onece a week, and I water deeply.
Shallow watering causes a lot of problems.
when the fu=irst couple of inches of soil ar wetted, the roots come to the surface to get water. In very hot or very cold weather , they die, and that is what causes a thatch buildup.
Water to a depth of at least 6 inches, and don't rewater until at least the top two inches of soil are dry.
This deep watering encourages a deep root system that protects the grass from heat cold and drought damage, and prevents thatch.
Set the mower bledes as high as possible for the hotter months, to better shade the soil.
To kill off that moss on the soil, add 1/4th cup baking soda per 1 or 2 gallons of water, and spray the area, enough to wet the moss.
Then go on a program of deep watering.
Trying to garden with chemicals is gardening artificially, and the results just are not good. An organic program SOLVES problems, where gardening with chemicals just CREATEs problems.
Charlotte