Dethatched, fertalized my lawn - now it's burning

[cali2jersey]

Originally Posted by flowbe202

Can you post some pics? I'm still wondering why it burnt in patches. It could have been application technique as much as over fertilizing.

Ditto with the other comments regarding "slow n steady" fertilizers- better slow and green vs fast and crispy lawns. Organic is less likely to burn your lawn ( can still do it, but you have yo work at it).

Mowing with a mulching mower and not bagging your clippings is a good way to return nitrogen and mulch to your lawn. Thatch build up is like cellulite - it's a marketing ploy to scare the unsuspecting homeowner to undertake even greater tasks (and costs) in the quest for the elusive (and fictional) fictional "perfect lawn".

Thank you

Here are pics of a few of the burnt patches. One is a close up pic.

Funny thing is, I was mowing my lawn yesterday and my neighbor's brother walked over. He told me my lawn wasn't burned and that the patches are normal after fertilizing. Huh?

I'm thinking I might have overlapped when spreading the fert. I have a bag on my mower but it left behind a lot of grass clippings. I left the clippings on the grass instead of raking them up.

(click each photo for larger image)

[cali2jersey]

Originally Posted by no kudzu

Regarding watering your lawn once it gets established. once a week for about an hour or 1.5 is all you will need - if no rain- as long as you aren't losing your water to evaporation because of watering at the wrong time. Always early morning hours, never before dark cause damp grass invites disease.

more people kill grass and shrubs and flowers by over watering rather than under watering. same for houseplants.

We did get a lot of rain the past few days so it should be fine for now.

When watering, I would water in the afternoon so I will have to change that. Thanks.

[Bulldogdad]

1. Fix your mower bag
2. Those look like fert burn patches to me.
3. Most likely due to inadequate water coverage and/or too much fert.
4. It appears your mowing when grass is too long and/or wet.
5. Only take 1/3 or less from the height of the grass blade at any one time.
6. Clumps of cut unmulched grass from mowing can turn your lawn brown.

[WyoNewk]

Looks to me like you got a bit too much fertilizer in spots. It'll fill in. Water it when it gets dry and it should be fine in another month.

[flowbe202]

Some spreaders will clog so the handle doesn't disengage at the end of a row. You can get a heapin' clump of fertilizer as a result as you toggle the handle.

I'm getting the idea you're using a commercial vs organic brand, yes? It's easier to burn your lawn with small application mistakes than with a slow-release dry organic mix. Practice your application technique and turns on a sidewalk or driveway. This will troubleshoot and eliminate equipment or user errors.

If you ever think you've over fertilized a spot, try to scrape up/ remove the excess fertilizer instead of washing it away.

[flowbe202]

Originally Posted by cali2jersey

Thank you

Funny thing is, I was mowing my lawn yesterday and my neighbor's brother walked over. He told me my lawn wasn't burned and that the patches are normal after fertilizing. Huh?

I'm thinking I might have overlapped when spreading the fert. I have a bag on my mower but it left behind a lot of grass clippings. I left the clippings on the grass instead of raking them

I think he was pulling your leg! Unless your turf was brown to begin with, no fertilizer should make it "brown" before turning it green! Your instincts were right to question this!

As others have said, leaving behind hunks of chopped lawny-bits is a no-no. I am an advocate of returning clippings to the soil/ground, but you can't leave piles on your lawn as you've found out.

Spend a few bucks and have your mower blades sharpened. BIG difference in your mowing experience and outcome. Keep us posted...