Knowledgebase
Trouble with my front lawn #912203
Asked July 31, 2025, 3:54 PM EDT
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
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!