Question
Hello,
I planted a new lawn 18 days ago.  It was coming in great until 5 days ago I noticed 2-5" dead spots.  I think the neighbors dog or cat are using it for their restroom.  Would it be safe to sprinkle coffee grinds or cayenne pepper on such young grass?  Is there any other safe product I might use instead.  The reason I say coffee grinds or cayenne pepper is that I read they are cat/dog deturrents.
About 1/2 of my lawn is now all bald spots.  Please help.
Thank you.
Colette

Answer
I have not heard the Coffee routine for pet repellency.  Could be.  Didn't Topper pour his dog a cup of coffee on the TV Show?  (I know, you probably have no idea who Topper was... very old program in the '50s when I was a wee child...)  Anyway, the dog was a ghost, so that is not really an endorsement anyway.

If you want to try it, be prepared for everyone to first warn you that Coffee is extremely Acidic and it will be very bad for the Grass.  This is patently untrue -- assuming you are using USED Coffee Grounds.  Raw Coffee Grounds are a different story.  But by the time they've been ground up and had water filter through them, your typical Coffee Grounds are only slightly Acidic.  They are a superb soil amendment, they repel Slugs and Snails, they attract Earthworms by the dozens and they are completely organic and FREE!  Starbucks was giving them away last year at some stores in special bags.  I see less of that this year but it would not hurt to ask.

Cayenne deters some Dogs.  Possibly even most Dogs.  I can tell you my own Dogs love Pepper Spray.  Ask the Mailman.  To them, a spray of Mace in the Face is the highlight of the daily Mailman visit.  Your neighbors' pets may however hate Cayenne.  It is worth a try, but it is not cheap either.

It is really important to find out once and for all whether it is Dogs and/or Cats and/or another cause, Fungus perhaps.  Heavy watering during the first few weeks of a new Lawn often leads to Fungus problems, especially when concentrated Chemical Fertilizers and Weedkillers were used to get the new Grass off to a good start.  This time of year is Fungus High Season.  Consider that before you spend a small fortune on Cayenne Pepper.  It may not solve your problem if the Cats and Dogs are not to blame.  Better yet, leave your neighbors a friendly note.  Leaving Dogs and Cats loose to wander around the neighborhood and leave calling cards everywhere is not a nice thing to do.

Thanks for writing.  Any further questions, I'm glad to answer them.