The Grass Doctor

Why did my new grass from seeds grow then die?

I planted grass seeds and they grew, now just three weeks later, quite a bit of it is dieing. They have been watered and fertilized properly. I planted the proper kind of seeds, again, they grew in beautifully. It appears to be turning brown. I can pull it up with just a brush of my hand. I don't know what I am doing wrong. I know about overwatering so I was careful of that. The seeds are shaded and in a shaded area beneath a tree.

Public Comments

1. possibly a pest? i've heard slugs will eat the roots and other pests will harm them as well
2. Try sod in hard to grow places. I never had luck with grass seed. If its shade it almost sounds like not enough sun for it.
3. What kind of tree is it? Some trees, like pepper trees, drop debris that makes the soil very acidic. The seedlings might then start out okay, but would soon die. Or, maybe you just have an improper pH in your soil for growing grass. You might want to find a nursery that analyzes soil samples to find out if you need some kind of soil amendment. Another potential problem is grubs and microscopic insects in the soil that eat the roots and kill the grass. Scotts makes a granular insecticide that you sprinkle on your lawn to kill pests. And, it contains a fertilizer for the grass. You might try applying this and then reseeding the areas that died.
4. sounds like grubs try applying grubex or a natural product called milky spore.
5. It is too shady. Even grass that says "shady formula" does NOT grow well in shade. It is sad! Additionally, a tree drinks all the water/takes all the nutrients away --- a tree will bully grass. Grass won't grow under a tree, unfortunately, no matter what the seed bag says. Sorry.