Brown Blades on New Sod: Transplant Shock or Disease?

Four-month-old sod shows brown, dead grass blades attached to green blades on the same root system. No black growth at soil level.

Two Possibilities

1. Transplant shock: New sod often shows some dieback as roots establish. Should recover when grass enters full growth mode.
2. Disease: If symptoms worsen or spread, a pathogen may be active. Watch for increasing damage, distinct patterns, or fungal signs.

Recommended Action

Wait a few weeks for clearer symptoms. If condition deteriorates, submit affected grass plants (with roots) to your local agricultural extension for tissue analysis. This identifies treatable diseases. Most summer grasses (St. Augustine, centipede, Bermuda) show visible stolons/rhizomes that resemble roots—this is normal.