Have some things on my yard that I am not sure what it is. I have gone
to two garden shops and got two mutually exclusive responses.
After rains the last couple of weeks, I have a cottony cover on my
grass (I thought originally it was stuff from the cottonwood or some
weed sticking to the wet grass (see picture). However, soon I realized
that the grass in the area was turning brown in roughly the outline of
the cottony cover. One guy suggested fungicide and another just thought
I should fertilize and it would come back.
Any suggestion?
http://imgur.com/M3roAaC
http://imgur.com/3MsIWYL

On Fri, 14 Jul 2017 13:42:32 -0400, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:

Have some things on my yard that I am not sure what it is. I have gone
to two garden shops and got two mutually exclusive responses.
After rains the last couple of weeks, I have a cottony cover on my
grass (I thought originally it was stuff from the cottonwood or some
weed sticking to the wet grass (see picture). However, soon I realized
that the grass in the area was turning brown in roughly the outline of
the cottony cover. One guy suggested fungicide and another just thought
I should fertilize and it would come back.
Any suggestion?
http://imgur.com/M3roAaC
http://imgur.com/3MsIWYL

The first picture appears to illustrate a multi-cellular filament
organism, which would mean it is mold, a type of fungi.

Here is just one of many articles on the topic.

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/mold-lawn-grass-70157.html

On 7/14/17 1:59 PM, Stormin' Norman wrote:
On Fri, 14 Jul 2017 13:42:32 -0400, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:

Have some things on my yard that I am not sure what it is. I have gone
to two garden shops and got two mutually exclusive responses.
After rains the last couple of weeks, I have a cottony cover on my
grass (I thought originally it was stuff from the cottonwood or some
weed sticking to the wet grass (see picture). However, soon I realized
that the grass in the area was turning brown in roughly the outline of
the cottony cover. One guy suggested fungicide and another just thought
I should fertilize and it would come back.
Any suggestion?
http://imgur.com/M3roAaC
http://imgur.com/3MsIWYL

The first picture appears to illustrate a multi-cellular filament
organism, which would mean it is mold, a type of fungi.

Here is just one of many articles on the topic.

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/mold-lawn-grass-70157.html

Thanks to all. I forgot to mention that these are so far seen in full
sun or near full sun areas and usually right after a heavy rain (we got
2 inches in a couple of hours last night.

On 7/14/2017 1:42 PM, Kurt V. Ullman wrote:
Have some things on my yard that I am not sure what it is. I have gone
to two garden shops and got two mutually exclusive responses.
After rains the last couple of weeks, I have a cottony cover on my
grass (I thought originally it was stuff from the cottonwood or some
weed sticking to the wet grass (see picture). However, soon I realized
that the grass in the area was turning brown in roughly the outline of
the cottony cover. One guy suggested fungicide and another just thought
I should fertilize and it would come back.
Any suggestion?
http://imgur.com/M3roAaC
http://imgur.com/3MsIWYL

First looks like pollen and 2nd may or may not related. Neither
fungicide or fertilize seem right.

I would post in garden group alt.home.lawn.garden. I've gotten good
advice there.

On Fri, 14 Jul 2017 13:42:32 -0400, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:

Have some things on my yard that I am not sure what it is. I have gone
to two garden shops and got two mutually exclusive responses.
After rains the last couple of weeks, I have a cottony cover on my
grass (I thought originally it was stuff from the cottonwood or some
weed sticking to the wet grass (see picture). However, soon I realized
that the grass in the area was turning brown in roughly the outline of
the cottony cover. One guy suggested fungicide and another just thought
I should fertilize and it would come back.
Any suggestion?
http://imgur.com/M3roAaC
http://imgur.com/3MsIWYL

_Cotton-Like Fungus in the Grass _

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7706464_cottonlike-fungus-grass.html

"Pythium blight is a fungal disease also known as cottony blight. This
disease affects all types of turfgrass and is most common during hot,
humid weather. Pythium blight spreads rapidly and can kill large
portions of grass in a short time. Powdery mildew is another fungal
disease that affects lawn grass, especially in shaded areas. Shade,
high humidity and and improper aeration favors the development of
powdery mildew."

Try some aeration if the ground is heavy in clay?

On 7/14/17 2:31 PM, Oren wrote:
On Fri, 14 Jul 2017 13:42:32 -0400, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:

Have some things on my yard that I am not sure what it is. I have gone
to two garden shops and got two mutually exclusive responses.
After rains the last couple of weeks, I have a cottony cover on my
grass (I thought originally it was stuff from the cottonwood or some
weed sticking to the wet grass (see picture). However, soon I realized
that the grass in the area was turning brown in roughly the outline of
the cottony cover. One guy suggested fungicide and another just thought
I should fertilize and it would come back.
Any suggestion?
http://imgur.com/M3roAaC
http://imgur.com/3MsIWYL

_Cotton-Like Fungus in the Grass _

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7706464_cottonlike-fungus-grass.html

"Pythium blight is a fungal disease also known as cottony blight. This
disease affects all types of turfgrass and is most common during hot,
humid weather. Pythium blight spreads rapidly and can kill large
portions of grass in a short time. Powdery mildew is another fungal
disease that affects lawn grass, especially in shaded areas. Shade,
high humidity and and improper aeration favors the development of
powdery mildew."

Try some aeration if the ground is heavy in clay?

This is all in full or near full sun. The ground is heavy in clay, but I
have aerated it every year since we bought the place 29 years ago. There
are still some areas where the ground is like cement.

On Fri, 14 Jul 2017 14:51:49 -0400, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:

On 7/14/17 2:31 PM, Oren wrote:
On Fri, 14 Jul 2017 13:42:32 -0400, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:

Have some things on my yard that I am not sure what it is. I have gone
to two garden shops and got two mutually exclusive responses.
After rains the last couple of weeks, I have a cottony cover on my
grass (I thought originally it was stuff from the cottonwood or some
weed sticking to the wet grass (see picture). However, soon I realized
that the grass in the area was turning brown in roughly the outline of
the cottony cover. One guy suggested fungicide and another just thought
I should fertilize and it would come back.
Any suggestion?
http://imgur.com/M3roAaC
http://imgur.com/3MsIWYL

_Cotton-Like Fungus in the Grass _

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7706464_cottonlike-fungus-grass.html

"Pythium blight is a fungal disease also known as cottony blight. This
disease affects all types of turfgrass and is most common during hot,
humid weather. Pythium blight spreads rapidly and can kill large
portions of grass in a short time. Powdery mildew is another fungal
disease that affects lawn grass, especially in shaded areas. Shade,
high humidity and and improper aeration favors the development of
powdery mildew."

Try some aeration if the ground is heavy in clay?

This is all in full or near full sun. The ground is heavy in clay, but I
have aerated it every year since we bought the place 29 years ago. There
are still some areas where the ground is like cement.

Once aerated, clay removed via coring plugs, you might fill them with
sand. Before the clay breaks down again. Sand will give far better
drainage for the lawn turf.

Oren wrote:
On Fri, 14 Jul 2017 14:51:49 -0400, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:

On 7/14/17 2:31 PM, Oren wrote:
On Fri, 14 Jul 2017 13:42:32 -0400, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:

Have some things on my yard that I am not sure what it
is. I have
gone to two garden shops and got two mutually exclusive
responses.
After rains the last couple of weeks, I have a
cottony cover
on my grass (I thought originally it was stuff from the
cottonwood
or some weed sticking to the wet grass (see picture).
However,
soon I realized that the grass in the area was turning
brown in
roughly the outline of the cottony cover. One guy
suggested
fungicide and another just thought I should fertilize
and it would
come back. Any suggestion?
http://imgur.com/M3roAaC
http://imgur.com/3MsIWYL

_Cotton-Like Fungus in the Grass _

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7706464_cottonlike-fungus-grass.html

"Pythium blight is a fungal disease also known as
cottony blight.
This disease affects all types of turfgrass and is most
common
during hot, humid weather. Pythium blight spreads
rapidly and can
kill large portions of grass in a short time. Powdery
mildew is
another fungal disease that affects lawn grass,
especially in
shaded areas. Shade, high humidity and and improper
aeration favors
the development of powdery mildew."

Try some aeration if the ground is heavy in clay?

This is all in full or near full sun. The ground is heavy
in clay,
but I have aerated it every year since we bought the
place 29 years
ago. There are still some areas where the ground is like
cement.

Once aerated, clay removed via coring plugs, you might
fill them with
sand. Before the clay breaks down again. Sand will give
far better
drainage for the lawn turf.

I believe I read somewhere that adding sugar to your
fertilzer acts as a softener, but I will not testify in
court on that : )

On 7/14/17 3:13 PM, Oren wrote:
On Fri, 14 Jul 2017 14:51:49 -0400, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:


Once aerated, clay removed via coring plugs, you might fill them with
sand. Before the clay breaks down again. Sand will give far better
drainage for the lawn turf.


i'll try that this year. Best way to put it down.. other than taking a
handful and dropping it in each hole.

On Sat, 15 Jul 2017 08:40:10 -0400, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:

On 7/14/17 3:13 PM, Oren wrote:
On Fri, 14 Jul 2017 14:51:49 -0400, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:


Once aerated, clay removed via coring plugs, you might fill them with
sand. Before the clay breaks down again. Sand will give far better
drainage for the lawn turf.


i'll try that this year. Best way to put it down.. other than taking a
handful and dropping it in each hole.

Not knowing the area size:

First; use clean play sand from the box store, not the sand for pavers
as it compacts easily.

Second; cut the corner off the bag, walk the area with the bag
supported under an arm. Drizzle the sand like using a piping bag.

Large areas you could use a handheld or push type broadcast spreader.

Me? I'd carry the bag to fill the spaces/core holes as fast as
possible.

BTW, do you have irrigation lines in these areas. Turned off during
rains, etc. Allowed to dry out? Not leaking...

Kurt V. Ullman wrote:
....
This is all in full or near full sun. The ground is heavy in clay, but I
have aerated it every year since we bought the place 29 years ago. There
are still some areas where the ground is like cement.

after 29yrs?

there's a few things that make clay tough to
have in a lawn, but you can often work around
them.

when you core that area put down some extra
organic materials (compost is best) and rake it
a bit to get it into the holes before the clay
plugs break down and return there instead.

mow higher and don't remove the clippings.

don't mow the area when it is too wet as
that compacts the soil (especially for clays).

encourage or add worm species that will improve
drainage (but they do need the organic material
from mowing left behind). if your area is not
environmentally sensitive and you can bring in
night crawlers they will improve your drainage
but they need to be transplanted with a little
work. they don't start new burrows easily so
you have to dig up several areas and then put
them under several inches of soil so they have
a chance to start their burrows (when you see a
night crawler away from its burrow after it rains
that usually means it's in trouble). worms are
bacterial factories and help break down dead
organic materials (which helps reduce problems
fungal diseases).

as for fungicides and such, often a pointless
expense as the fungi spread easily on the wind
and rains.


songbird

On 7/15/17 7:05 AM, songbird wrote:
Kurt V. Ullman wrote:
...
This is all in full or near full sun. The ground is heavy in clay, but I
have aerated it every year since we bought the place 29 years ago. There
are still some areas where the ground is like cement.

after 29yrs?

there's a few things that make clay tough to
have in a lawn, but you can often work around
them.

when you core that area put down some extra
organic materials (compost is best) and rake it
a bit to get it into the holes before the clay
plugs break down and return there instead.

The yard is just a little less than acre and I am in my early 60s, so
that raking part won't work (grin). I'll try that for the places this is
worse.

mow higher and don't remove the clippings.
Already as high as it will go and and clippings have
always stay.



don't mow the area when it is too wet as
that compacts the soil (especially for clays).

Try not to, but sometimes, like this year, you have the choice of
mowing wet or not mowing at all.


encourage or add worm species that will improve
drainage (but they do need the organic material
from mowing left behind). if your area is not
environmentally sensitive and you can bring in
night crawlers they will improve your drainage
but they need to be transplanted with a little
work. they don't start new burrows easily so
you have to dig up several areas and then put
them under several inches of soil so they have
a chance to start their burrows (when you see a
night crawler away from its burrow after it rains
that usually means it's in trouble). worms are
bacterial factories and help break down dead
organic materials (which helps reduce problems
fungal diseases).

I tried that a couple of times early on and didn't see
much more than an increase in the number of worms in my pool.
Maybe I'll try that again.

as for fungicides and such, often a pointless
expense as the fungi spread easily on the wind
and rains.


Thanks.

songbird

On 7/15/2017 8:44 AM, Kurt V. Ullman wrote:
On 7/15/17 7:05 AM, songbird wrote:
Kurt V. Ullman wrote:
...
This is all in full or near full sun. The ground is heavy in clay, but I
have aerated it every year since we bought the place 29 years ago. There
are still some areas where the ground is like cement.

after 29yrs?

there's a few things that make clay tough to
have in a lawn, but you can often work around
them.

when you core that area put down some extra
organic materials (compost is best) and rake it
a bit to get it into the holes before the clay
plugs break down and return there instead.

The yard is just a little less than acre and I am in my early 60s, so
that raking part won't work (grin). I'll try that for the places this is
worse.

mow higher and don't remove the clippings.
Already as high as it will go and and clippings have
always stay.



don't mow the area when it is too wet as
that compacts the soil (especially for clays).

Try not to, but sometimes, like this year, you have the choice of
mowing wet or not mowing at all.


encourage or add worm species that will improve
drainage (but they do need the organic material
from mowing left behind). if your area is not
environmentally sensitive and you can bring in
night crawlers they will improve your drainage
but they need to be transplanted with a little
work. they don't start new burrows easily so
you have to dig up several areas and then put
them under several inches of soil so they have
a chance to start their burrows (when you see a
night crawler away from its burrow after it rains
that usually means it's in trouble). worms are
bacterial factories and help break down dead
organic materials (which helps reduce problems
fungal diseases).

I tried that a couple of times early on and didn't see
much more than an increase in the number of worms in my pool.
Maybe I'll try that again.

as for fungicides and such, often a pointless
expense as the fungi spread easily on the wind
and rains.


Thanks.

songbird


I just googled lawn fungus and looked at pictures:

http://grangettosgardenclub.com/is-t...lling-my-lawn/

Looks like that is what you have.

Might mention this company sells lot of stuff. I just bought from them,
good prices and free shipping:

https://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/

Kurt V. Ullman wrote:
On 7/15/17 7:05 AM, songbird wrote:
Kurt V. Ullman wrote:
...
This is all in full or near full sun. The ground is heavy in clay, but I
have aerated it every year since we bought the place 29 years ago. There
are still some areas where the ground is like cement.

after 29yrs?

there's a few things that make clay tough to
have in a lawn, but you can often work around
them.

when you core that area put down some extra
organic materials (compost is best) and rake it
a bit to get it into the holes before the clay
plugs break down and return there instead.

The yard is just a little less than acre and I am in my early 60s, so
that raking part won't work (grin). I'll try that for the places this is
worse.

yes, that's all i intended.


mow higher and don't remove the clippings.
Already as high as it will go and and clippings have
always stay.

interesting. clay is very fertile and good for
holding nutrients, after 29yrs of grass clippings
that area should have built up somewhat to excellent
soil. is there a slope there or some other way that
the organic matter is moving away? or is it a low
spot that collects extra water?


don't mow the area when it is too wet as
that compacts the soil (especially for clays).

Try not to, but sometimes, like this year, you have the choice of
mowing wet or not mowing at all.

that is also likely the reason why the white
stuff has shown up anyways. i would just put it
all under "natural variation" and keep on mowing
as needed.


encourage or add worm species that will improve
drainage (but they do need the organic material
from mowing left behind). if your area is not
environmentally sensitive and you can bring in
night crawlers they will improve your drainage
but they need to be transplanted with a little
work. they don't start new burrows easily so
you have to dig up several areas and then put
them under several inches of soil so they have
a chance to start their burrows (when you see a
night crawler away from its burrow after it rains
that usually means it's in trouble). worms are
bacterial factories and help break down dead
organic materials (which helps reduce problems
fungal diseases).

I tried that a couple of times early on and didn't see
much more than an increase in the number of worms in my pool.
Maybe I'll try that again.

now is a horrible time (mid summer) IMO. later
in the summer/early fall will be better (but i
don't know your location so i'm not really sure ).
for crawlers you have to give them a start, you
can't just dump 'em out and expect much. the other
earth worms and red wriggler aka compost worms they
are much smaller and don't need such an approach.
what worms did you try?


as for fungicides and such, often a pointless
expense as the fungi spread easily on the wind
and rains.


Thanks.

i hate to say it, but you could use it if you
really are that concerned. as in probably early
will help more rather than later. but like i say
i consider it a waste of time/money. then again
i'm just one of those strange people who doesn't
much mind fungi - they're a part of this life cycle
so when they show up they're doing something
important. we have a friend who actually goes out
into her lawn and picks the mushrooms thinking that
it will stop them. *SMH*


songbird

On Friday, July 14, 2017 at 2:31:29 PM UTC-4, Oren wrote:
On Fri, 14 Jul 2017 13:42:32 -0400, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:

Have some things on my yard that I am not sure what it is. I have gone
to two garden shops and got two mutually exclusive responses.
After rains the last couple of weeks, I have a cottony cover on my
grass (I thought originally it was stuff from the cottonwood or some
weed sticking to the wet grass (see picture). However, soon I realized
that the grass in the area was turning brown in roughly the outline of
the cottony cover. One guy suggested fungicide and another just thought
I should fertilize and it would come back.
Any suggestion?
http://imgur.com/M3roAaC
http://imgur.com/3MsIWYL

_Cotton-Like Fungus in the Grass _

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7706464_cottonlike-fungus-grass.html

"Pythium blight is a fungal disease also known as cottony blight. This
disease affects all types of turfgrass and is most common during hot,
humid weather. Pythium blight spreads rapidly and can kill large
portions of grass in a short time. Powdery mildew is another fungal
disease that affects lawn grass, especially in shaded areas. Shade,
high humidity and and improper aeration favors the development of
powdery mildew."


Could be or it could be another fungal disease. Red thread comes to
mind, except I don't see the characteristic shriveled up ends that
wind up looking like red thread. Any evidence of that?

Whatever it is, it's fungal. And fertilizer is the last thing you
want to do with most diseases, it just makes it worse. High nitrogen,
water and high temp are what promotes it. Let it dry out, only
water right before dawn so it doesn't stay wet over night.

You can google for images of various turf fungus problems, see what
matches and what the conditions for it to develop are. Some of
these, eg red thread, are generally not serious and the grass will
survive. Others destroy the grass and can spread rapidly. Whether it's
worth treating with a fungicide is a judgment call.

Oren wrote:
On Fri, 14 Jul 2017 13:42:32 -0400, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:

Have some things on my yard that I am not sure what it
is. I have
gone to two garden shops and got two mutually exclusive
responses.
After rains the last couple of weeks, I have a
cottony cover on
my grass (I thought originally it was stuff from the
cottonwood or
some weed sticking to the wet grass (see picture).
However, soon I
realized that the grass in the area was turning brown in
roughly the
outline of the cottony cover. One guy suggested fungicide
and
another just thought I should fertilize and it would come
back.
Any suggestion?
http://imgur.com/M3roAaC
http://imgur.com/3MsIWYL

_Cotton-Like Fungus in the Grass _

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7706464_cottonlike-fungus-grass.html

"Pythium blight is a fungal disease also known as cottony
blight. This
disease affects all types of turfgrass and is most common
during hot,
humid weather. Pythium blight spreads rapidly and can kill
large
portions of grass in a short time. Powdery mildew is
another fungal
disease that affects lawn grass, especially in shaded
areas. Shade,
high humidity and and improper aeration favors the
development of
powdery mildew."

Try some aeration if the ground is heavy in clay?

I was close, I was going to say powdery mildew

In alt.home.repair, on Fri, 14 Jul 2017 13:42:32 -0400, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:

Have some things on my yard that I am not sure what it is. I have gone
to two garden shops and got two mutually exclusive responses.
After rains the last couple of weeks, I have a cottony cover on my
grass (I thought originally it was stuff from the cottonwood or some
weed sticking to the wet grass (see picture). However, soon I realized
that the grass in the area was turning brown in roughly the outline of
the cottony cover. One guy suggested fungicide and another just thought
I should fertilize and it would come back.
Any suggestion?
http://imgur.com/M3roAaC
http://imgur.com/3MsIWYL

Sounds like it might be worth getting your neighbors involved, if they
have adjoining or nearby grass.

On Fri, 14 Jul 2017 13:42:32 -0400, "Kurt V. Ullman"
wrote:

Have some things on my yard that I am not sure what it is. I have gone
to two garden shops and got two mutually exclusive responses.
After rains the last couple of weeks, I have a cottony cover on my
grass (I thought originally it was stuff from the cottonwood or some
weed sticking to the wet grass (see picture). However, soon I realized
that the grass in the area was turning brown in roughly the outline of
the cottony cover. One guy suggested fungicide and another just thought
I should fertilize and it would come back.
Any suggestion?
http://imgur.com/M3roAaC
http://imgur.com/3MsIWYL

Here is a very interesting four page monograph, published by Perdue
university: "Using Organic Fungicides"

https://www.extension.purdue.edu/ext...bp/bp-69-w.pdf

I have never used the organic approach to fungi, but after reading
this, I would be willing to give it a try.