Problem | What to look for |
---|---|
Winter desiccation |
Large areas of straw-colored grass especially where exposed to wind with little snow cover. |
Spring frost damage |
New growth killed back. |
Water and ice damage |
Straw-colored or rotted grass, especially where water collects on frozen soil. |
Salt damage |
Dead or yellowed grass along sidewalks, driveways, or roads where salt has been applied. |
Compaction |
Soil is hard. Turf is thin. Rooting is poor. |
Acid or alkaline soil |
Overall poor growth. Soil test indicates inappropriate pH for grass growth. |
Nutrient deficiency |
Yellowing or other discoloration; generally poor growth. |
Over-fertilization |
Exaggerated turf color, along with rapid growth rate; tissues succulent. |
Fertilizer misapplication |
Browned streaks lined with extra green growth can occur in areas of application overlap. Yellowed, nutrient deficient streaks may occur in missed areas. |
Wilt, drought or moisture stress |
Turf loses its luster, appears slightly off-color and ‘foot printing’ occurs. |
Overwatering |
Soil is saturated; grass is overly lush and may mat down easily. |
Poor drainage |
Waterlogged soil, puddling. |
Scalping |
Mowing height excessively low, especially on uneven terrain. |
Dull mower injury |
Turf develops grayish or brownish cast, close inspection reveals shredded leaf tips. |
Shade |
Turf is thin; leaves may appear elongated and succulent. |
Poor air circulation |
Increased leaf wetness duration, increased disease incidence. |
Excess thatch |
‘Spongy’ turf surface, water infiltration problems, thick layer of matter at soil interface. |
Excess traffic and wear |
Bruising and crushing injury to turf, compacted areas, loss of stand density. |
Animal urine damage |
Spots of browned or yellowed turf, perhaps with extra green growth around them. |
Foreign chemical (gas, oil, hydraulic fluid) damage | Sudden scorched areas of turf. |
Refer to Appendix B, ‘Calendar for Cultural Practices and Related Activities’.