Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have a question about our year-old lawn.  Our lawn professional put Scott's "Lawn-builder" down this season and the grass looked beautifully green.  From the side however up close it seems to be discololored with tan and black markings.  I am certain this was not the case before.  The sprinkler waters the grass daily for apx a half-hour.  BTW it is summer here.  We are simply wondering if this is a sign the grass was "burned" by the "Lawn-builder," or if it is something else.  Thanks and all the best.

ANSWER: By definition, Fertilizer - and this includes Scott's 'Lawn-Builder' (gotta love those healthy names they give those powders) - IS a Salt.  I see you are writing from South of the Equator.  But that does not unfortunately narrow it down enough for me to do anything but guess here.

If your days are very warm (here it would be 85 degrees F, or in the 30's degrees C), it may be simply too hot for your Lawn.  Which yields Fertilizer Burn.  More harm than good.

This is why state-of-the-art Grass Feeding does not depend on concentrated Chemical Fertilizer to supply nutrients to your Soil and feed your Grass.  Why not take the plunge, and start feeding your SOIL?

What that means, my friend, is that instead of using something like 'Lawn Builder', you put down an Earth-friendly product that's GOOD for your Grass.  When the Lawn Pro comes by next time, and wants to put down ANYTHING, JUST SAY NO!

There are Fungus problems that could be caused by 'daily' Watering when your Lawn does not need it -- does this go off in the middle of the night, when it's dark and prime time for Fungus spores to germinate?  That could be the cause of these spots, too.

Regardless, 'tis better to go Green than to grow your Grass lke they did back in the Dark Ages.  We know so much more today.  Fertilizer is a concept that's 100 years old.  Scotts owns something like 80 percent of the business, last I checked.  Their stockholders may like Lawn-Builder, but you don't have to use it.  Especially since there are better ways (not to mention cheaper and easier) to care for your Lawn.

rsvp and Thanks for writing!

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QUESTION: How can I tell the difference between fungus and fertilizer burn?

ANSWER: Fertilizer burn. Grass appears burned in spots or streaks; leaf blades are first to turn brown; occurs shortly after application of soluble fertilizer.

Fungus attacks more generally, and often comes in Colors.  You stand a very good chance of Fungus attack if you use concentrated Fertilizers on your Grass (wipes out the microbes that keep Fungi in check, and force-feeds Nitrogen in a single dose, among other things).

People who over-water, and schedule their sprinklers for use after the Sun goes down, tend to get Fungi on their Lawns.  You did mention a sprinkler.

Treatments are the same for both.  Just leave your Grass alone, and most of the time, it will recover.  No more Lawn Builder.  No more watering in the dark late at night.  DO NOT use Fungicides.  You don't need it, and they do more harm than good.

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QUESTION: It has been difficult maintaining our property where we are living now due to very high costs of importing everything "under the sun".  I am not "south of the equator" but we are actually in close proximity to the equator and tropics.  It is extremely comforting to be able to contact an American with your area of expertise.  Please tell me what steps you would recommend to further our "scientific" approach to lawn growth.  I would love to do this like the Long Island gardener.  Thankyou, again.

Answer
Soil testing is not just an American phenomenon, good neighbor to the south.  I know a lab in South Africa that does superb work analyzing Soil Samples.  And remember, most Americans don't get them.  We have not even begun to see how good a Lawn can look when you grow the Grass right.  There's a much bigger profit from selling concentrated Chemical fertilizers, in pretty little Green bags.  How sexy is a Soil sample?  How warm and fuzzy is Bone Meal and Manure?  And the guys on the radio -- Sheesh!  You should hear Sean Hannity on WABC Radio ranting about how 'resilient' the Earth is and how there's no such thing as pollution.  Intellingent Gardening is definitely not a U.S. thing to do.  Wherever you are trying your Turfgrass, consider yourself cutting edge, and keep up the good work.

There is a book you should order (it's not your typical best seller) called 'Teaming with Microbes', by garden columnists Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis.  It's a very well thought out introduction to some important concepts.  Once you understand these basic concepts, you can pretty much make your own intelligent decisions about what's good for your Grass.  And unlike most Gardening books, this one can be used ANYWHERE YOU LIVE.  It's not all about growing perennials in the Northeast, or Orchids in Florida -- you can suddenly look at your Soil like a scientist.  It keeps you from doing stupid things.

You do however need a Soil test.  If you would please give me your -- well, if not your zipcode, then your location -- I can supply several potential testers for you.  And I promise not to come knocking on the door on Sunday morning.

You also need a Compost pile.  If they have Starbucks in your country, see if you can get them to give you all their Coffee Grounds (used).  Coffee is a terrific Soil amendment.

One last thing: Until you really know what you're doing, the best treatment for your Lawn or anything else you are growing is to stay away from ALL Chemicals, including the 'good' ones like Fertilizer.  Stick to organics -- Manure, Bloodmeal, Bonemeal, etc.  And of course pesticides, fungicides and herbicides are out of the question.

Now, where did you say you were writing from?