[Arid_gardener] lawn care

[Olin Miller]

In warm humid climates as well as during our desert monsoon period St. 
Augustine is susceptible to a fungus called "Take All Root Rot" as well as 
to a brown spot fungus which may be the same thing.  Some people recommend 
treating with corn meal or a baking soda mixture but if it is truly a fungus 
you really need to apply a fungicide.  You might pull up some of the 
diseased grass and compare it with the photos at
http://www.plantanswers.com/root_rot_fungus.htm

Or take a sample to one of the Master Gardner offices listed at
http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/general/question.htm

My experience with a St. Augustine lawn was about 20 years ago when after 
seven years I got rid of it because it was difficult to maintain and manage 
the very thick thatch.  This thatch and the wide grass blades made it 
difficult to get water and fertilizer down to the root area.

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ
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----- Original Message ----- From: "evelyn rolfe" <evelyn at dsrealty.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 4:08 PM
>I have St. Augustine grass and it is dyeing, could it have a fungus? Maybe 
>I
> am watering it too much. Can you help me.