QuestionI live in South Texas (near Laredo, TX) where we have warm to hot temperatures just about year round. The problem is that my mom used to have beatiful carpetgrass but I have noticed that the grass is dying or dead. I water twice a day (around 6 AM and 8 PM) but the brown grass just gets worse. I checked for grubs and did not find any. Weeds and stickers are taking over where grass used to be. I can see the brown strands of roots where grass used to be. I don't know what to apply to the lawn or what to do. I have heard about applying cornmeal and powdered laundry soap.
Answer The grass is dying because of one or more of the following reasons:
1. You are over-watering it.
2. It has been infected by a fungus. They thrive in hot humid times and we make it easy for them when we water at night.
3. It has been attacked by insects.
I would certainly cut out the watering at 8PM. Check for insects. If they are still present, treat the lawn with an insecticide. A fungus requires correct identification before treatment can be finalised. Perhaps by this time it no longer exists.
I am not competent to comment upon treatment involving cornmeal and laundry soap.
