GrowGuide

Master Gardener's Complete Guide

Landscaping & Grass Care

Grass types, lawn fertilization schedules, weed control, aeration, hardscaping, and xeriscaping for every climate.

Grass Types

GrassSeasonZonesMow HeightWaterSunWear
Bermuda Grasswarm7-100.5-1.5 inchesModerate (1-1.25 in/week)Full sun (8+ hrs)Excellent
Zoysia Grasswarm6-91-2 inchesLow to moderate (0.5-1 in/week)Full sun to moderate shadeGood
St. Augustine Grasswarm8-102.5-4 inchesHigh (1.5-2 in/week)Full sun to moderate shadePoor to moderate
Centipede Grasswarm7-91.5-2.5 inchesLow (requires minimal irrigation)Full sun to light shadePoor
Bahia Grasswarm7-103-4 inchesLow (deep root system)Full sunModerate
Buffalo Grasswarm5-82-3 inches (or unmowed at 4-6 in)Very low (most drought-tolerant)Full sunModerate
Kentucky Bluegrasscool2-6 (transition zone with effort)2.5-3.5 inchesModerate to high (1-1.5 in/week)Full sun to light shadeGood (self-repairs via rhizomes)
Tall Fescuecool3-7 (best transition zone grass)3-4 inchesModerate (0.75-1.25 in/week)Full sun to moderate shadeGood
Perennial Ryegrasscool3-61.5-2.5 inchesModerate to highFull sunExcellent
Fine Fescuecool2-72.5-4 inches (or unmowed as eco-lawn)Low (most drought-tolerant cool-season)Partial shade to full sunPoor

Fertilizer Schedules

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Lawn Diseases

Brown Patch

Grasses: Tall fescue,Perennial ryegrass,KBG,St. Augustine | Season: Summer (hot, humid nights above 65F)

ID: Circular brown patches 6 inches to several feet across. "Smoke ring" of dark gray mycelium at patch border in early morning dew. Individual blades have irregular tan lesions with dark brown borders.

Treatment: Apply fungicide (azoxystrobin, propiconazole) preventively when night temps consistently exceed 65F. Reduce nitrogen. Water in early morning only. Improve drainage.

Dollar Spot

Grasses: KBG,Bermuda,Zoysia,Fine fescue,Perennial rye | Season: Late spring through fall (60-80F)

ID: Small, silver-dollar-sized tan spots that can merge into larger irregular patches. White cobweb-like mycelium visible in morning dew. Individual blades show hourglass-shaped lesions.

Treatment: Apply nitrogen fertilizer (often resolves on its own). Fungicide: propiconazole, myclobutanil. Water deeply and infrequently.

Red Thread

Grasses: Perennial ryegrass,Fine fescue,KBG | Season: Spring and fall (60-75F, humid)

ID: Irregular pink-red patches 4-8 inches across. Pink to red thread-like strands (sclerotia) extending from leaf tips. Grass blades die from the tip down.

Treatment: Usually cosmetic - lawn recovers on its own. Apply nitrogen fertilizer. Fungicide rarely needed (chlorothalonil if severe).

Snow Mold (Gray & Pink)

Grasses: KBG,Perennial ryegrass,Tall fescue | Season: Late winter/early spring (under snow cover)

ID: Circular matted patches 3-12 inches revealed when snow melts. Gray snow mold has gray-white mycelium; pink snow mold has pinkish mycelium and is more damaging.

Treatment: Rake affected areas to promote drying and air circulation. Usually recovers on its own. Reseed bare spots.

Fairy Ring

Grasses: All grass types | Season: Spring through fall

ID: Dark green circles or arcs of stimulated growth, sometimes with mushrooms. Ring expands outward each year. Three types: Type 1 kills grass in ring, Type 2 stimulates dark green ring, Type 3 only mushrooms.

Treatment: Core aerate through the ring. Apply wetting agent to help water penetrate hydrophobic soil. Mask with nitrogen fertilizer on surrounding lawn. Fungicides are mostly ineffective.

Pythium Blight

Grasses: Perennial ryegrass,KBG (seedlings),Tall fescue | Season: Summer (hot, humid, >85F daytime, >65F nighttime)

ID: Greasy, dark, water-soaked patches that collapse rapidly. White cottony mycelium in early morning. Streaks follow drainage patterns or mowing direction. Can destroy large areas overnight.

Treatment: Apply fungicide immediately (mefenoxam, fosetyl-Al). Improve drainage. Avoid watering in evening. Emergency fungicide at first sign.

Large Patch (Zoysia/Bermuda)

Grasses: Zoysia,Bermuda,St. Augustine,Centipede | Season: Fall and spring (when grass enters/exits dormancy, 50-70F)

ID: Large circular patches (3-25+ ft) of orange-yellow to brown grass. Expands from previous year's patch. Leaf sheaths pull easily from stolons and are rotted at the base.

Treatment: Apply fungicide (azoxystrobin, flutolanil) preventively in September and again in spring when soil temps reach 60F. Avoid excess nitrogen in fall.

Rust

Grasses: KBG,Perennial ryegrass,Tall fescue,Zoysia | Season: Late summer/early fall (warm days, cool nights, heavy dew)

ID: Orange-yellow powdery pustules on grass blades. Rubs off on shoes, mower, or white cloth. Lawn has overall orange-yellow cast. Blades weaken and thin.

Treatment: Usually resolves as conditions change. Mow frequently to remove infected blade tips. Apply nitrogen to promote growth. Fungicide (propiconazole) if severe.

Weed Control

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Aeration & Dethatching

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