The first step in solving problems in lawns, sports fields, and golf courses is to describe the problem and put it into context. Many turf problems are noticed as a change, e.g., brown grass that was previously green. Others problems are a failure to meet expectations, e.g., a turf manager plants grass seed which does not grow. Both kinds of problems require a description of the problem and the context, either before vs. after or expectation vs. reality. Time and space are critical in describing a problem, for example, knowing when the grass was green or when the seed was planted.
More complex turfgrass problems involve different entities. For example, your Homeowner’s Association contracted with an irrigation company to manage your irrigation system. After a few months the grass was dry. In this case the description should mention the dry grass, the history of when the grass was not dry, the ensuing weather, and importantly, what exactly was the responsibility of the irrigation company? Does anyone else share responsibility? What exactly does the contract say?
Solving problems in turfgrass is fascinating but takes rigor to describe as completely and as independently as possible the facts of the problem and the context in time, place, and responsibility. Solving problems also requires preparation in knowing the relationships of grasses, management, and environmental factors, and keeping an open-minded view of what is or is not “normal.”
rickkil23 – posted 04 July 2014 04:17 good morning, I was hoping someone here could help me with this issue. as stated in subject, I am having issues with my st Augustine lawn, it appears that the tips of my…
LawnLover871 – posted 31 March 2015 15:30 Hi everyone. I just planted tall fescue two weeks ago and it was coming up well until I noticed some of the blades looked bleached. The sprouts were initially purple so I figured…
tak1983 – posted 14 April 2012 08:42 All, I have been to this site a number of times but now I finally joined for some help. I have had great beautiful green grass all winter and now its starting to…
Clanders – posted 28 May 2012 20:08 I decided to start a new lawn this year and since I wanted to pick a grass that is drought tolerant burmuda was my choice. I live in northwest arkansas so I know…
garcia – posted 03 June 2012 21:54 Help!!! I cut my new tall fescue sod (two weeks old) too short. What should I do to minimize possible damage?? I was watering it daily before today’s mowing fiasco. I am located…
jwhdfw – posted 03 July 2012 09:50 Dear Users – I live up in the DFW Metroplex where for about the last 5 summers, the heat and lack rainfall has broken records almost every day. A ring of dead “earth”…
janicem – posted 14 July 2012 15:59 I had a landscaper plant new bluegrass sod in June. I have a hot spot and a shady area and was told to water hot spot for 15 min for times a day…
stagarm – posted 18 July 2012 17:58 I have 10 Full size baseball fields and I have been having grass turn purple with yellowing. I can email a photo. Please help!! ddNOTFERTILIZER – posted 25 July 2012 14:06 Hi Stumped,…
JA Peterson – posted 24 July 2011 11:09 Over the past two years, my front yard has a reoccuring brown patch of dead grass, about 10′ x 15′ in size. It starts appearing in the late spring. In talking with…
rlsmith1994 – posted 05 August 2011 17:50 Hello – I live in east-central Illinois and got new installed in mid-July. I was trying to keep up with the watering, but major parts turned brown (I may have not watered enough…