Mold in Grass

[Bronwyn]

My parents are growing new grass around their house that's being built. They have the straw down with the new grass growing through it. Last night we noticed a five foot by two foot section of the new grass is dying. We looked real close and see a really fuzzy looking mold or fungus. Anyone ever seen this, or know what we can do to keep it from spreading?

 

[K_Jo]

My parents are growing new grass around their house that's being built. They have the straw down with the new grass growing through it. Last night we noticed a five foot by two foot section of the new grass is dying. We looked real close and see a really fuzzy looking mold or fungus. Anyone ever seen this, or know what we can do to keep it from spreading?

Are they watering it at night?

 

[MMDad]

There are various sprays available depending on what it is you actually have, but they seem to be temporary fixes. The best thing I've found is to check and adjust the PH, make sure there is good drainage, avoid over watering, and maximize sun exposure by removing or trimming trees.

 

[Fubar]

Burn it? this sounds like an "ask the expert" question-Larrrrrrry

 

[kbeachcat123]

Are they watering it at night?

This is a good question, since most garden experts strongly advise AGAINST watering any plants (grass, vegetation, flowers) at night due to the increased chance of fungal growth. Do NOT water during mid-afternoon since you risk burning foliage (think back to when we all burned ants with a magnifying glass at high noon).

It is best to water first thing in the morning. I usually water my plants when I get home (4-5-ish) - the water has a chance to evaporate, without burning the leaves, and the water has absorbed into the soil, with sunlight, which kills those nasty fungi.

Hope this helps.

 

[Bronwyn]

Are they watering it at night?

They have been watering it in the evening.

 

[K_Jo]

They have been watering it in the evening.

See post #5.

 

[Bronwyn]

See post #5.

So I will tell mom and dad not to water it any more in the evening. How do they get rid of the mold already growing so that it doesn't kill all the grass? Will it go away on it's own?

 

[K_Jo]

So I will tell mom and dad not to water it any more in the evening. How do they get rid of the mold already growing so that it doesn't kill all the grass? Will it go away on it's own?

I have no idea. I overheard C_Jo telling his friend not to water his grass at night because it would grow mildew. That's the extent of my knowledge on the subject.

 

[kbeachcat123]

So I will tell mom and dad not to water it any more in the evening. How do they get rid of the mold already growing so that it doesn't kill all the grass? Will it go away on it's own?

Stop watering altogether. Let the grass (and fungi/bacteria) die off in the hot sun and drought. Good grass is dormant now anyway and won't grow. In the fall, re-seed. Good luck. My grass is beyond dead now. Hopefully the fall and winter months will bring more precipitation.

 

[Cowgirl]

Stop watering altogether. Let the grass (and fungi/bacteria) die off in the hot sun and drought. Good grass is dormant now anyway and won't grow. In the fall, re-seed. Good luck. My grass is beyond dead now. Hopefully the fall and winter months will bring more precipitation.

Since it's new grass I wouldn't stop watering all together. Just expose the affected section to the sun, and water the rest in the morning. Make sure they're watering deeply when they water. That encourages deep root growth and makes the grass better able to handle droughty conditions.

When was it seeded? It's best to seed in the fall...always. Sometimes you will get an ok stand when it's spring seeded, but it is always more stressful for the grass...our springs don't last long and tender seedlings are forced to try to survive in the hot summers.

 

[Bronwyn]

Since it's new grass I wouldn't stop watering all together. Just expose the affected section to the sun, and water the rest in the morning. Make sure they're watering deeply when they water. That encourages deep root growth and makes the grass better able to handle droughty conditions.

When was it seeded? It's best to seed in the fall...always. Sometimes you will get an ok stand when it's spring seeded, but it is always more stressful for the grass...our springs don't last long and tender seedlings are forced to try to survive in the hot summers.

They seeded it about 2 or 3 weeks ago. At first they didn't water it at all, but someone told us that if they didn't water it, the grass wouldn't grow. They set up the sprinklers and we let the yard have it. Circles of grass where the sprinklers were began to grow pretty quick then. We started moving the sprinklers around tp the bare areas. Last night we noticed the fungus/mold spot.

 

[Cowgirl]

They seeded it about 2 or 3 weeks ago. At first they didn't water it at all, but someone told us that if they didn't water it, the grass wouldn't grow. They set up the sprinklers and we let the yard have it. Circles of grass where the sprinklers were began to grow pretty quick then. We started moving the sprinklers around tp the bare areas. Last night we noticed the fungus/mold spot.

I don't mean to but I can't help it. That's the worst time ever to seed. I guess it's better than a dirt yard. Tell them to keep watering because if not the grass will probably die. They will most likely have to reseed this fall.

 

[Rael]

My parents are growing new grass around their house that's being built. They have the straw down with the new grass growing through it. Last night we noticed a five foot by two foot section of the new grass is dying. We looked real close and see a really fuzzy looking mold or fungus. Anyone ever seen this, or know what we can do to keep it from spreading?

On new construction, I've found the soil less than ideal for good grass growth (though haven't seen what they do these days). Not to mention the timing on seeding (two or three weeks ago, not good, way too hot for new grass to live).

I'm going to overseed in September, and would recommend the same for you. Take advantage of the opportunity to spread around and mix in some good soil over what's there now if you can, and level it as smooth as you can. Seed again, starter fertilizer, re-cover with straw then water thoroughly and often (regularly) in the morning as others have suggested. You also have the opportunity to choose the type of grass you want, and that works best for you.

Good luck!

 

[kom526]

I don't mean to but I can't help it. That's the worst time ever to seed. I guess it's better than a dirt yard. Tell them to keep watering because if not the grass will probably die. They will most likely have to reseed this fall.

Re-read post #1...this is new construction and the builder is required to seed the lawn regardless of what time of year the house is being built.

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

I've recently had alot of construction activity at my house new garage, sidewalks and driveway. I have been planting grass seed the past 3 weekends, knowing that its a lousy time of year to do it but got tired of looking at dirt all around the various areas. I took alot of time preparing the area's that I seeded, some of the fill dirt I got wasnt the greatest but I added many bags of topsoil to the area's, I feathered the dirt out away from the driveway and sidewalks some places as much as 5-6 feet and got some good seed from BJ's (Scotts) covered the not so great soil with seed, then put thin layer of topsoil on top then more seed, then straw watered everyday, twice once morning and once evening, I knew the seed would germinate quickly with the warm weather, but WOW seed I put down on a Sunday would be coming up on Wenesday. I have some new grass that was planted on the first weekend thats now at least 6 inches tall and Im planning to cut today at my highest setting on the mower, but I do have some small spots that look like they either got too much water or too much straw was in one area or maybe a mildew or fungus has set in which Im going to check out this afternoon.
But after reading this tread I think I will cut back to just morning watering and anything that doesnt come up now, Ill just wait to the fall to take care of them and then over seed all the places that did come up.

 

[Cowgirl]

Re-read post #1...this is new construction and the builder is required to seed the lawn regardless of what time of year the house is being built.

I understand that it's new construction. I was just explaining that they shouldn't be discouraged because it's hard on the grass to grow now.

 

[Bronwyn]

We went to Wentworths to pick up some stone for the new walkway. I asked them about the mold in the grass. They said pretty much the same as here. Don't water after noon. Don't drag the hose through the moldy area or the mold spores will spread more.

I think the people did a crappy job in general planting the grass seed, they'll have to do a lot of work to get this yard in shape anyway!

 

[vraiblonde]

Okay, I have a question:

"They" say you're not supposed to water in the evening. Yet it rains in the evening and grass is fine with it.

So what's the difference?

 

[Bronwyn]

Okay, I have a question:

"They" say you're not supposed to water in the evening. Yet it rains in the evening and grass is fine with it.

So what's the difference?

My parents were watering every evening trying to get their new grass to grow, which it did! But them mold spot started forming. I guess there was more water than what a rainy evening once and a while would do. :shrug:
I personally wonder if the grass seed was already contaminated with mold spore when they sprayed it!