Q.What Advice Can You Provide Why A Certain Part Of My Lawn Kills Out Every Winter?
The area is about 15’x40’. I have tilled the soil 3-4 inches deep, fertilized it along with the rest of my lawn by Scott’s product recommendations, seeded with Scotts’s and other brands finest shaded-type seed, home tested the ph at 7, mowed the well-seeded and growing grass once it reaches 6” tall, yet come spring 95% of the grass is gone. The soil is clay loam. I live in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, northwest part of the state, which I believe is Climate Zone 3. A county agent says I should till the soil at least 6” deep, and that the soil may be too nitrogen rich for young grass to live in. So, what might my problem be? What type and brand of seed is best suited to my conditions? Can you help? Thank You.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
It sounds like you are doing everything that you should be doing, which leads me to believe that you may have an infection. Unfortunately, your photos did not come through, so I am unable to see the issue at hand.
You can have samples sent to your closest extension service. They can assist you in pinning down the exact culprit. These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/extension-search
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/test-soil-for-pests-and-diseases.htm
If you have a septic system, it could be in that spot. You may want to have that inspected by a professional if that is the case.
This article will help you to address common causes of brown patches:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/brown-lawn-fixes.htm
You are located in USDA zone 4, but accounting down to temperatures for zone 3 is always a good idea. This article will suggest grasses for your area:
