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Possible lawn fungus or grubs eating roots #876687

Asked July 10, 2024, 2:12 PM EDT

My lawn has significant brown patches of grass It was fertilized w Scott’s w crabgrass preventer at the end of May. I had the same thing last yr. It was a v hot summer. I applied water to a great extent. Might have gotten a fungus. Applied the advanced fungus control last year one time, applied same two weeks ago. Not sure what it might be. Thanks

Washington County Minnesota

Expert Response

This has been the year of turfgrass disease in Minnesota with the mix of humidity, heat and rain. The  fertilization level could be a root cause of the lack of vigor. 

There are a couple things going on, none are serious and none of which requires treatment at this time with any fungicide. The one thing you could do this weekend is put down a small application (1/2 lb of N per 1,000sf of 24-0-5 or 6) fertilizer with about 30% slow-release nitrogen. The grass will grow out from the diseases as the weather dries up.

https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/lawn-care

https://extension.umn.edu/lawn-care/fertilizing-lawns
All the rain is probably depleting nitrogen in lawns. Also consider letting your lawn grow a little taller and mow when it is 3-4 inches and take off only a half inch. Doing so will promote a thicker lawn the needs less water. I am not wishing for another very dry summer but a little less would be welcome.

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