hello - i have a problem similar to yours & have posted a few questions about this same matter - my sod is only 2 years old & i have one area that is just like this - the kind people here have posted a number of suggestions about what has caused this but i like you do not think i have the problems that they say i may have - i live in ohio where we have had almost a no rain this season & i mow to the highest height & have been watering 2 times per week but the problem seems to be getting worse - i hope someone can find us a solution

Well buthead, not a real good choice of seed mixture planted last summer since most of it is dead. Summer heat and drought has caused whats left your lawn to go dormant in the sunny areas. Annual rye of course didnÂt come back this spring because its an annual, perennial rye and fescue have all dried up because they donÂt take full sun without lots of water. If you want a good lawn, then start with a good quality seed. I should say the best quality seed, not the hardware store junk that contains mostly cheap rye grasses. You seem to have lots of trees providing shade to parts of your lawn and some areas have lots of sun. It thatÂs the case then a mixture of good quality Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescues should be used to overseed this fall. And as I advised another poster, If you want a really great lawn, introduce as much organic material into your lawns soil. Mulch all your fall leaves, return all grass clippings into your lawn. Spread compost. Consider organic fertilizers. Good luck with your lawn.

Having looked at the pictures again and a review of my post, I'm sure I was too critical and a little too sarcastic. Much of your lawn is green. You have some problem areas. Could be a soil compaction problem or could be a fungal disease although I donÂt think so. Just core aerate the problem areas this fall and overseed with the best seed you can find. In the meantime, irrigate and control the weeds the best you can.

I think you just started out with a big mix of grasses. For a permanent lawn, I wouldn't use anything with annual rye grass. Annual means it only lives 1 year, so it isn't surprising you had some dieback. The problem was probably made worse because annual ryegrass germinates much faster than KBG or fescue. Since most people slow down on the watering after they see grass growing, they end up with a mostly rye lawn, some fescue and very little KBG.

To correct that, I would wait until August and then aerate the whole thing and overseed with KBG or a KBG and fine fescue mix.

Thank you both for your replies.

Yes, I went to Home Depot, where everything they sell is the same mix, just different manufacturers. I will look in Agway or mom & pop shops for a better seed, focusing on KBG.

The soil compaction may well be the issue. I spread top soil on top of what was basically a rock. My area is wrought with shale just inches below any topsoil. Perhaps I should spread an additional layer of topsoil?

Thank you again for taking the time to reply.