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Trouble with my front lawn #912203

Asked July 31, 2025, 3:54 PM EDT

We have a home we had built 13 years ago in a subdivision. Our front lawn was sod and we have sprinklers we run 3 days a week starting at 4am. We use a local lawn service to apply fertilizer, weed killer. They are out her 6 times a year starting the end of March. At that time they treated for Fertilizer, micronutrients, and Crabgrass pre-emergent, treatment for broadleaf weeds, treatment for grubs, and liquid potassium. I complained to that company in May that my lawn looked much worse then other lawns in my subdivision so they sent out a service manager to inspect. He told us our lawn was being cut at 2.5# and to raise that to 3.5" and we have done that. He also said to change to water the lawn between 10am and 1pm as that will shorten the amount of time the lawn is staying wet especially when temps are above 75+ degrees. They also said this -- "We found thin/bare spots throughout your property. Aeration and Overseeding can help thicken your lawn back up. Fall is the best time to do this service. Red Thread was found today. This is a fungal disease that causes cosmetic damage. Our normal fertilizer will help grow the fungus out. Allow 2-3 weeks for the results. Liquid Aeration & Seed this fall is highly recommended." Leaf spot - Leaf Spot was found in the lawn. This fungus disease is most common when there is excessive moisture on grass blades. Mid-day watering (10am-2pm) will help to control this disease activity along with the treatment done today." This is what my lawn looks like today. There are too many weeds or broadleaf grasses, I am not sure. Also, there are patches that are bare that I have tried to recently. Can you give me advice of what is going on and what I can do to get a top lawn. I feel my fertilizer company may not be applying the correct products. What should I do to get an award winning lawn! Thank you so much for any help.

Oakland County Michigan

Expert Response


Hello Mark,

In May, when the service manager came out to inspect. Everything he said and recommended corresponded to the best practices according to research. It does take time for all these things to be corrected.

Let me break this down,

He told you your lawn was being cut at 2.5# and to raise that to 3.5", which you did. Check out this link:

Mowing Lawn Turf - MSU Extension

Aeration and Overseeding can help thicken your lawn. Fall is the best time to do this service. Check this link:

Tips for seeding lawns in September - Turf

Red Thread was found today. This is a fungal disease that causes cosmetic damage. Our regular fertilizer will help grow the fungus out. Allow 2-3 weeks for the results. "Leaf spot - Leaf Spot was found in the lawn. This fungal disease is most common when there is excessive moisture on grass blades. Mid-day watering (10 am - 2 pm) will help to control this disease activity along with the treatment done today. You stated he treated this, and it does take time for all these things to be corrected

Consider doing a sprinkler system audit (including slope situations) because uneven watering could be why you have brown, thin spots. Also, if any of the thin spots are competing with lots of tree roots, are high traffic areas (dogs? Children?), or are shady spots, it will be difficult to get grass to grow Check these links:

Landscape Irrigation Auditing Made Simple | NC State Extension Publications

How much water does your lawn irrigation system apply? - Turf

Irrigating | General Lawn Maintenance | Lawn Problem Solver | Kansas State University

Lawn irrigation tips - Turf

Consider getting a soil test done for the lawn. The reason I am suggesting the soil test is to determine if it is sandy, loamy, or clay, which will affect how you water. Details at this link:

Soil testing through MSU Extension - Soil Health

I hope this helps! 


An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 31, 2025, 9:06 PM EDT

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