What kills Palmetto?

Barbie – posted 15 September 2003 23:04

We have used Palmetto St Augustine in our rear yard last year and it is 75% dead. We care for the yard, spray for insects and fungus, the works. But the grass still died. It is a shaded area and seems to stay damp. The ground is soft most of the time. Can soil that is to wet kill Palmetto? If so, what is a better turf to use?

redbird – posted 16 September 2003 05:43

Do the dead patches look like wet, soggy, brown mats of dead grass – you can lift it up and see the wet brown earth beneath? If so, you have take-all-patch – a very difficult to control fungus that is caused by too much wetness. If this is the case, your best hope is going to be to either:a) find a way to let that area properly dry out (adjust watering schedules – consider shade issues – whatever is keeping it wet).

b) put down mulch and make a flower bed.

Do a search through the archives under take all patch and you will find a lot of information on people fighting it. It is nasty stuff – I hope you have some other problem :> )Mike