new hydroseeded lawn this year early spring

[robhanna73922]

My lawn was hydroseeded in early April. It has come in pretty thin. Granted we had a week and a half of steady rain (no downpours). And not really any sun! Right when the sun came out it started to fill in. I have fertilized once and even just overseeded. I can't afford a chemical plan but I think it really needs it. Alot of the grass has a reddish tint to it. My landscape friend who did the hydro seeding swears that I need to be on a chemical plan. I was wondering if there's anything I could do myself? Like weed and feed? Lime? Fertlizer w weed control? I know that fertilizers with weed and crabgrass control won't do anything about weeds that are already there but just prevent them?

Please help!

Thanks

[Turboguy]

It looks to me like either grass rust or Anthracnose.   If it is like a redish powder covering the grass that will come off on your hands when you rub it then it is rust and if the blades have turned red than most likely it is anthracnose.  Here is a link to a lawn disease page.   
http://www.bayeradvanced.com/guides/disease?gclid=CL6a_4ny67ACFUlN4AodZjd7tQ

We have some other members who may be more experienced with this area than I am but the conditions you describe make it sound more like Anthrcnose which happens when there is lots of rain.  Rust happens more when it is dry. 

There are lots of things you can do on your own to improve your lawn.   First off I would suggest getting a soil test to find out what your soil is lacking.  It is not terribly expensive and it will help you find your problems.   You don't say where you are which can sometimes help us but if you do an internet search for "soil test" and the name of your state you should find a lot of options for a good soil test.   The do it yourself soil tests sold at some nursery and garden centers are pretty much worthless.   Many state universitys will do a soil test for you and there are a number of commercial labs specializing in soil tests.   When you do the test take soil from several different locations in your yard and mix them together.  This gives a more accurate profile of your soil.

Just looking at the photos it looks to me like it is lacking in nitrogen.  I am wondering what kind of fertilzer you used when you fertilized?    I am asking if you remember the numbers on the bag, like 25-10-5 for example?  You do want to be careful fertilzing this time of year.  Too much nitrogen in the hot weather can burn out your lawn.  If you do more fertilizing it might help but go a lighter application than the bag recommends and water it frequently.

You should have little difficulty setting up a program of your own that will give you a nice lawn without a lot of expense.   A schedule of applying weed and feed, crabgrass preventer if you get crabgrass and fertilzer alone should go a long way.   Over the long haul occasionally core aerating (you can rent a machine from a rental center and perhaps topdressing with compost are other things that can help to give you a great lawn.

[TerrawoRx]

Rob,

Im pretty confident its not Anthracnose but instead Red Thread - Laeslisaria fuciformis

It is caused in bouts of high humidity or in this case constant moisture and the temps that were associated. However its primary cause is due to a nutrient deficiency within the soil especially Nitrogen.

You do not need a chemical program! You do not need a "cide" program!

What you need is beneficial biology and organics to restore the balance back to the soil so that the plant has the tools it needs to thrive.

I do this everyday and solve disease problems with my clientele! You can do the same..

Hope this helps,

Regards,

~Erik

[robhanna73922]

Thanks guys! I just did a fertilizer scotts plus 2 weed control. I have no problems keeping it watered. I am going to aerate soon, any fertilizer you recommend? I am also going to do a soil test. I have previously used Pennington starter fertilizer in early spring when warmer weather started coming (above 65-70 degrees) I think numbers were pretty much 18-24-6, I got that because I thought I was safe getting one that was the most equal numbers for all around fertilizer. I am really upset because I paid a landscaper to bring in 2 trucks of loam then hydroseed. He recommended a second truck to get a great base for great grass roots. Turns out he only brought pickup trucks not dump trucks. I know the base stinks because there are rocks and wood from rotted trees we had to have removed. So, I am trying to avoid bringing in more loam to do what I paid someone to do. The worst part is that i almost had the guy who excavated a small hill in my yard to bring dumptrucks for the same price i was charged for pickup trucks! Thanks for letting me vent! Anymore help would be extremely appreciated!

[Turboguy]

If you just applied scotts plus with weed control I would suggest you don't do anthing more for a while.  Perhaps in the early fall an applicaton of a high nitrogen fertilzer (similar to what I think Scotts plus is but you won't need the weed control for that applicatoin.

I usually recommend an application of a high nitrogen fertilzer once the grass is ready to cut.  This year however, as hot as it has been, everyone needs to be very careful doing this.  I usually tell them to use a little less than the recommended rate and to water a lot for the first week or so.   The combination of a heavy application of nitrogen fertilzer and the hot dry weather can burn out a lawn. 

[robhanna73922]

Great thanks. Are you familiar with bayer advanced disease control? When I google red thread, this is what comes up. Not sure what this stuff even does? Like I said before, I am trying to avoid bringing in new loam if at all possible. After the hot summer days I am waiting to fertilize. Have Scott's turf builder w 2% iron. I am afraid to say, because the lawn doesn't drain well, I have not been watering as much. Then I hit it with plus 2 weed control. Now there are patches of burned grass or the disease is spreading? The part of my lawn that is established and about 3 yrs old is looking great! So I think it's just the newer hydroseed that is turning reddish pink. Thanks for letting me pick your brain!

[TerrawoRx]

rob...

your approach is not going to solve the problem but kick the can down the road. you seriously need to look into a organic biological system approach in order to solve the problem.

using "cides" and other toxic chemicals will only create more problems outside of the one your dealing with.

[grassman]

Rob,  What kind of grass did you have planted? what part of the nation are you from? Fertilization has to be done at different times of the year for different grasses. lack of fertilizer can cause disease, like dollar spot.  over fertilization can cause diseases like brown patch. I do like organic types of fertilizers, They definitely have their place.
Diseases are treated at different intervals and different rates, ask a professional from your area.
You can definitely take care of your own lawn, just learn establishment techniques and maintainance techniques.
learn about your grass type and what diseases to watch for.  Disease diagnosis is one of the hardest parts of lawn care. you can get some help from some of the websites.  Just search turf diseases.  with a little more info you can get help.
Here is a link to distributors of turf products in the us. they can help you find professionals in your area.
 http://www.primeraturf.coop/members

Grassman