Lawn issues - Ask Extension
Two years ago part of our lawn was resodded and part seeded over a layer of black dirt. The lawn is irrigated on a regular schedule as well fertilized...
Knowledgebase
Lawn issues #887066
Asked October 03, 2024, 2:18 PM EDT
Two years ago part of our lawn was resodded and part seeded over a layer of black dirt. The lawn is irrigated on a regular schedule as well fertilized and aerated. Grass is mulched. It looks as though the sodded areas are yellowing and dying off while seeded area appear fine. There is a distinct line between the two areas as can be seen in the photos. Please let me know if you have any ideas for resolving. Thank you
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
Sod is tricky. You do not know when it was planted or how it was fertilized. The highly patterned yellowing looks like nitrogen burn from too much fertilizer and hot sunny days. The grass seed would only have the homeowner applied fertilizer. Do not fertilize this fall.
What is the mower height? The higher the mower the deeper the roots and the more likely they are to leave the layer of dirt in the sod.
Do not put pre-emergent herbicides on this lawn.
Continue watering until November.
Next year, no more than 2-3 applications of fertilizer.
A lawn with fresh topsoil will not need aeration for 4-5 years.
Sod is tricky. You do not know when it was planted or how it was fertilized. The highly patterned yellowing looks like nitrogen burn from too much fertilizer and hot sunny days. The grass seed would only have the homeowner applied fertilizer. Do not fertilize this fall.
What is the mower height? The higher the mower the deeper the roots and the more likely they are to leave the layer of dirt in the sod.
Do not put pre-emergent herbicides on this lawn.
Continue watering until November.
Next year, no more than 2-3 applications of fertilizer.
A lawn with fresh topsoil will not need aeration for 4-5 years.
