The Grass Doctor

Overseed or Not to Overseed?

I live in a cool-season grass climate (Ontario, Canada) and during this season i have noticed yellow spots on my lawn. First of all, the yellow spots are NOT caused by Grub (professional confirmed this), nor is it caused by lack of water, or overfertilizing...From closer inspection it seems that the grass is dead. My guess is it was caused by winter damage to the point that the grass in those patches have died. My question: Do you think i should just overseed my entire lawn by way of using a spreader and just broadcasting the seeds over the entire lawn and then just use my sprinkler system to water them in to start the growth? My hope is that some of these seeds will land in the yellow regions and grow out conceiling these yellow areas. Just to let you know, these yellow areas are small and numerous intermixed with green grass. They are yellow straight down to their base. Resembling hay. If anyone can give me ideas that would be FANTASTIC! Chris: thanks for the reply...When the professional looked at it he mentioned it was fine and would just grow in, in time. He did take a shovel and pulled up a big heap of soil of one of these areas to look for grub and mentioned to me that the soil was very rich and had quality worms but nothing bad. If i can get a camera i will take a picture. In the mean time i will msg you my email so i can stay in contact Robert: Thanks for the reply! You know, i never thought about it being a Fungus...that is a good point. The pro didnt bring that up though. I tried pulling on the yellow grass part and it just came up easily..i didnt have to pull on it all that much...its dead. *sigh* Wish it was fungus. You know i did have some moss growing on this lawn last year but i did kind of overwater it last year. Also, i did NOT winterize my lawn and so maybe some of these blades just sufificated during winter?!? Thanks so much for your reply. You guys are very knowledable! --------- "keep sharing": I was pondering the thought of cutting my grass to the lowest height my mower can go (maybe 1 inch) which would definitely conceal the yellow spots when the greener areas grow back...HOWEVER, doing such a thing might damage existing grass since ive read that cool-season grasses should be cut to no lower than 2.5 inches

Public Comments

1. Did the professional rule out Narcotic Ring Spot. Was your lawn seeded originally or was it Sod. I was in the industry for about 10 years so I am confident that I can help you get to the bottom of your problem
2. well the guy must know alot, but if its patches it sounds like a fungus..the reason i say that is this is how fungus acts and consumes a lawn, it never has just a large patch. pull on some and it comes out with ease then its dead, and if you have to really try to get it out then its still alive and a fungus. I work in this Field and it sounds like a fungus. the home depot sells fungicide its a granule and easy to use,about 18.00 and this will get ride of your problem.
3. Hi there. I think you should postpone your overseed to the max and even if you want to do it make sure to cut the existing grass to the bottom. try this: http://makemyhome.blogspot.com/2007/05/gardening-home-garden-ridge.html Good luck