Over-Fertilized Lawn Burn: It’s Salt, Not pH—Water and Soil Test

You over-applied fertilizer in the Pacific NW—dead spots. Lime won’t help. The burn is from fertilizer salts, not pH. Water heavily to flush salts. Then get a soil test (Cooperative Extension)—it’s the “check the pantry before baking” rule.

Fertilizer pH varies wildly (ammonium sulfate = acid; wood ash = alkaline), but salt burn is the real damage. Slow-release or not, excess salt kills roots. Pray for rain, irrigate, test soil, then rebuild with precision.

Most folks learn lawn care from Scotts commercials. That’s like reading Pravda for news. Be smarter.