I Did Say It Would Get Worse Before Better (scary stuff)

We continue with the talk on fungus, and how my yard is currently dealing with it. I want to show you from the time we caught it, to the end of this saga. Thanks for tuning in, hope it helps or entertains, and thanks to the thousands of you that view and support this channel. God bless you all!
Propiconazole: bit.ly/3wdBJMr
Azoxystrobin 2SC: bit.ly/3QQhIVD
Cleary's 3336F Fungicide: bit.ly/43DvZdJ
Armada 50 WDG Fungicide - 1 jug (2 lb.): bit.ly/42d9LxS
Armada 50 WDG (Domyown.com): shrsl.com/43azo
OII-YS Natural Adjuvant: bit.ly/43dCiF5
GCI Turf 5-0-5 (1 Gallon): bit.ly/3pbdMF9
GCI Turf Ca (Calcium) 1-0-1 (Gallon): bit.ly/42iQQCk
Protene Performance Summer Fertilizer: bit.ly/3H7Nrho
Protene Performance 0-5-34 High K Fertilizer: bit.ly/3AjCINa
7-0-20 Stress Blend 3% Iron - Bio-Nite - Granular Lawn Fertilizer: shrsl.com/43azn

[@haiimlong]

The dang fungicide took over my lawn and killed my TTTF! I didnt act quick enough and now im suffering a brown lawn

[@MrFergusonLawn]

I hate to hear that. That's the scary part, even when using fungicides...did I fix it and just need to wait, or not...and then it dies? It's tough my friend. Regroup and plan to seed in fall.

[@haiimlong]

@@MrFergusonLawn it did fix the problem but the grass was already stressed from the fungicide and the heat wave killed it

[@alsalas326]

I agree leaf spot and melting out. Pest and Lawn Ginja has a video regarding the same issue you are having. He diagnosis the problem, addresses the cause of the fungus and the solution.

[@pman2275]

My lawn looks the same as yours Mr. F... I'm on the other side of the mountain in TN. Hang in there buddy !

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Thanks Roger! You too sir!!

[@nealwhite1474]

My lawn has the same issues. I've learned to deal with it and move on. There are some days I'd like to take a flame thrower to the lawn. Great vid.

[@CCCC-tq8yo]

Did u

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Haha, same here Neal...it's not fun filming "hey, my lawn is nasty right how", but it's the truth.

[@nealwhite1474]

@@MrFergusonLawn Well, you're just telling the truth! Lawn work is not easy. Lots of ups and downs.

[@SuperTA329]

Do you bag clippings, and how often do you dethatch / power rake? Greenworks or sun Joe have a very reasonably priced machine. I know with the temps and high humidity you are faced with, fungus is just waiting to move in. My strategy is to reduce clippings returned and remove debris with dethatcher / power rake beginning of spring and every 4 - 6 weeks and stop during the summer heat wave. Mow as often as time allows even if only tips are getting cut and bag if possible. Do preventative treatments starting early spring changing group each monthly application. I'm also not a professional, but works well for me. My fingers are crossed because fungus is a difficult one since it's in mother nature's hands. Wish you luck.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Thanks my friend. I do own the Greenworks. I’ve really only used it in late summer before overseeding, as it stresses out the lawn hard for a week or so. I’m too nervous to add more stress on top of heat and fungus. Glad you are well! Be blessed Super!

[@justinaguilar867]

Thank you for the update! Most people do not show the struggle! They usually show damage and then show 3 weeks later a nice lawn. I have struggled with fungus the past 3 years In my Bermuda grass. It’s awful you want to get ahead of it but it always gets worst before it gets better. I used Prop. 14.3 once I saw fungus. I re-sprayed 8 days after 1oz/k and then again 8 days from that. I also used a scarifier once in between. Your lawn will bounce back, keep your head up.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Yea I’m sure it will. Seems to be looking slightly better today. All in time!

[@monkeyslawncareandgardenin473]

Looks like the grass is competing for space possibly?

[@williamconlon4183]

Mr. F, your good, we know that you're not selling snake oil. But there always has to be one. Don't let it get to you, we appreciate your sharing of what you've done to your yard and have learned from it. That's what you wanted to do when you started the site to begin with and you've been successful, IMO. Motor On!

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Thank you William. I very much appreciate your kind words sir. Be blessed!

[@joet0006]

Already had fungus in my TTTF up here in Wisconsin and now we’re in a drought. GreeneEfect works been using it for 2 years.

[@craighopkins1866]

Same here in Missouri

[@ajstewart60]

I had the exact same issue outside of Charlotte. I think my lawn is about 7-14 days ahead of yours. I'm 1 maybe 2 mows away from cutting the last of it off. Instead of fungicide I spoon fed the lawn a half rate of Ryan Knorr's GrowORR soluable fert. I couldn't identify the fungus with confidence but I'm glad it's nearly gone. Thank goodness for this unusually cool May and June!

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Amen to that! I did use PhiteORR so, maybe that’s helping some? Not sure.

[@fabes326]

Have you looked into Pillar SC Liquid Fungicide? It’s pricey but works really good.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

I’ll try and do that

[@Louisville627]

Deal with this same issue every year no matter what preventative measures I do..I think I’ve narrowed it down to thatch that I need to get out, but too late now with summer heat here and I already have leaf spot/melting out again..gonna put curative rates down till fall and dethatch real good open it up and a light over seed. Good luck, just keep up with every 14day applications

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Well last year we didn’t deal with it at all! Year before I did. Not sure what causes it to be exact, but man it’s tough.

[@garycrawley1868]

Hi Friend, I have the same issue in my lawn. Like you, I have done everything I can think of to prevent and eliminate this issue. I will remain diligent in my approach. God Bless you, your family, and the followers of this channel.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Thanks Gary, good luck to you as well sir

[@johnnelwhite]

My fungicide hopefully will be going down this weekend spiked with 1-0-1 and 0-0-25 after i cut. I just sharpened the blades on both of my mowers. We got a heat wave coming. Let's pray for summer not to be too bad.

[@gary4738]

What fungicide are you putting down?

[@johnnelwhite]

@@gary4738 axoxy 2sc and propiconazole

[@rogerreadel5820]

Keep doing what you are doing, you are helping a lot of people .

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Thanks Roger!

[@MrKevinH]

Seeing disease start to pop up over here. It seems the Armada may be a good solution since I did the preventative early on like you did.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

I hope it was a good idea...if not...it cost me this go around! Fungus sucks.

[@williamday78]

​@@MrFergusonLawn do you guys have to dethatch cool season to allow more airflow and less humidity being trapped deeper?

[@Michele-rc4qf]

In the areas of my lawn that looks like that, I noticed that my moisture meter reads dry. The green areas read moisture. Even right after I run the irrigation system. I just had my lawn aerated. Now I am going to apply some surfactant as soon as it arrives. I think my yellow grass is from lack of water. I may be wrong, but we will see.

[@blipblopride9024]

Man, don’t worry about the randoms.

[@growingthegrass8224]

Sorry to see the fungus issues. I found out the hard way last year that lots of nitrogen in spring seems to equal fungus in the summer. I’m not sure exactly what turf disease that is, but you could see if you can send a tissue sample to your local extension. You may want to reach out to the grass factor or the green doc or Ryan Demay to see if they have any ideas about what it is. I wish you good luck in the fight with fungus!

[@MrFergusonLawn]

I appreciate the comment! I hear you, but I've not found that to be true in my lawn. I've pushed N pretty well each year, and last year we never had a single instance of fungus at all. This year, we have. I think the 4 or 5 wet days in a row we had, with even more continuous cloudy conditions contributed or even caused it. Not to mention, using the lawn striper, which lays the grass down and traps all that water to the ground. I certainly appreciate the comment though, and will try and research this, as you could very well be right!

[@growingthegrass8224]

@@MrFergusonLawn I encourage you to look into it. I learned it from the guys on Thirsty Thursday. It seems like if you push a lot of nitrogen early, and then conditions are right, fungus loves juiced up grass. it’s a balance I still haven’t quite figured out yet myself. Have a great day!

[@BlacGyver]

I got hit.....I'm supposed to because I'm in TEXAS! Temps will be in the upper 90s all next week, probably until the end of summer. Pray for me😢

[@RedRoyce]

Wow your yard was looking so good this spring. Still looks better then most. I got some weeds that came into my yard because I didn't get the 2nd app of weed control down with Crohn's just didn't feel good. We are starting to get hot with 90s now so just have to wait. We all understand what your doing with the links and forget them do what you do to make a little money to pay for water and products. You always say it helps you out, you get a small kick back if we use the links. Honest person, you have helped me out many times and as a new yard guy thank you and God bless!

[@TerranceSTL]

The fungus looks like leaf spot and melting out fungus

[@MrFergusonLawn]

I agree

[@tonyle8528]

At least its not looking like my front lawn! Doing a complete reno due to poa overtake and recent waterline repair. Glyphosate is making it crispy. keep up the good work.

[@hopalongjohnny9797]

I also got fungus, I just started mowing at 4”, so maybe it will get aired out since all that rain we had last weekend. I’m going with a application of Propi tomorrow.

[@Timbo4413]

Great channel and great content man, keep the videos coming!👍

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Thanks Timbo, appreciate it sir

[@stevequach1869]

I’ve noticed I get more fungus when I use Hydretain. This year I didn’t use any and have had no fungus issues so far.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Eh, I don’t believe that’s true. I did use Hydretain last year and didn’t have fungus at all. I think it’s just seasonal. Who knows?!

[@DamnYankee77]

Mines brown by the road 😢

[@stevequach1869]

I’m happy to use the link and help. All the stuff I’ve bought has helped my lawn a lot! Good up the good work . Forget haters

[@MrFergusonLawn]

I really appreciate that Steve. More than you know sir. Hope it continues to help you. God bless!

[@Dsaubt]

Leaf spot & melting out for sure. I had it worse last year at this time, I did two preventative apps this year and reduced the nitrogen during spring and still got it. I did a curative rate of zoxy and put down a little bit ot N and it looks slightly better. Takes awhile for the crap to grow out and look decent again. The good thing is it hasnt been overly hot which has allowed the grass to recover a little.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Bingo! This year it seems to be hitting hard. That’s life!

[@ChefDevo1776]

Dont listen to the haters. Dont let them get to you.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Oh I won't, but needs to be reiterated every now and again so you all know where I stand. Thanks Devin! Have a great weekend sir

[@ChefDevo1776]

Some advice if you want it… step one- you have to accurately identify the fungus. Two- pick fungicide and apply based on identification. Some funguses attack leaves and some attack soil or roots. Watering in depends on all of those factors. My advice for you is take time and use resources to identify fungus. Pull some blades, take pictures and email NC State and ask for help. They got back to me quickly last year.

[@GRASShole21]

@@ChefDevo1776 I’d make a lot of money if i can come with a Fungus Identifier App🤣 still learning myself. I was going to make a comment as well about the soil-borne vs foliar-borne diseases and when to leave the fungicide on the blades and when to water in. The trouble is properly identifying the fungus, I wish there was an easier way lol

[@CCCC-tq8yo]

Listen to what

[@ChefDevo1776]

@@GRASShole21 me too but i lean on experts. I’ve wasted so much money just trying to guess and applying fungicide that didn’t work.

[@stonefeet336]

Same issue with mine here, I hit it with propiconazole and didn’t do anything to it, I’ve had the same grass as you for 4 years now and I’ve fought and battled fungus every year. Not sure if it’s whatever cultivar it is that’s particularly susceptible to fungus, I really dialed back the nitrogen way way back this year to see if it would help this year and it hasn’t. I had a little in my Bermuda too but knocked that out real quick. I’ve had good success with it in past years by azoxy and prop app and then a heavy dose of potassium. Clearys has also never worked for me

[@MrFergusonLawn]

I hear ya brother. It’s wild stuff. Best of luck…for us all!

[@jwilliamsloggedin]

It’s not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I think you can grow it out with ease. I started bagging as soon as I saw diseased blades.

[@myboy051]

I have GCI TTTF and I have the same issue with my lawn right now. I thought I might have overwatered my lawn. What is this issue?

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Overwatering is a way to get fungus! For me it was lots of rain in several days, that you can’t help. Best of luck

[@TheFish1026]

The air quality here in NJ got up to the 400s it was really bad. That orange was no joke. Looked like a sand storm in Arizona. Also a question that i keep forgetting to ask. I have lived in NJ my entire life and I see you do not have curbs in the road and was wondering why they dont do that there in North Carolina?

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Well stay safe up there Fish! Hope it clears out for you soon. We do have curbs in subdivisions, just not mine for whatever reason. I don't really know why.

[@alceja3522]

Don’t stress about it brother, my TTTF in my back yard looked the same a month ago. Looks fine now. With your applications it will cure it 👍🏻

[@jsee2385]

Northern KY here. My TTTF/KGB mix had the same exact thing on the blades. It's going away and I didn't put anything on it. Edit.. I put RGS, 0-0-7 green effect, humic. At first I thought it was the iron in the 007 that did it but it's almost gone and grown out now

[@davidcrowson4745]

Don't even respond to those knuckleheads... Anyway we got a 1/4" of rain here in the western Piedmont on Wednesday. I think that your grass is going to be okay. Have a great weekend.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

It’s gotten worse since filming this haha. Dry spots in the bank. I sure hope we can make it! Thanks David.

[@davidcrowson4745]

@@MrFergusonLawn you'll be ok

[@Piccolo_Re]

Your yard looks 100x better than mine even with fungus. My entire lawn is dried up and/or dormant even when I water 2-3x a week 30-40 minutes. Can’t figure out what to do. But with fungus, you’re better off just growing it out. Golf courses put down fungicides 2-3x a week and that’s really bad for human health and the soil. You’re better off just stopping the spread and letting it grow out so it doesn’t hit the crown of the grass and kill off your lawn.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

Yea this time of year is tough my friend. As you see, for everyone! Keep at it, learn from the mistakes as you go along. That's what I do. Try some Sea K apps, Potassium, Hydretain, and as you are doing, watering an inch or more a week. All you can really do!

[@buster7618]

Thank you for your service. I've come to find comments and reviews pretty hilarious. At first it makes you scared to apply anything to your lawn. Then you realize people have no fucking clue what they are doing. ScOtTs DisEaSe X kiLLeD muh LAWN! Sure it wasn't because you didn't water your lawn for two months in a drought? One star reviews saying they didn't realize the bottle was so small and they couldn't do their whole lawn. One application of humic and 'didn't do anything to my clay soil, waste of money, SCAM!'

[@jsee2385]

Comment for the reasons

[@yoko180]

Maybe it’s a fungus called melting out spot kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJfVhmN9e8h-Y5I

[@LeNoir1NC]

You have leaf spot and melting, not gray leaf spot. We've had perfect conditions for it. Notice on your last video the tips of your grass blades were frayed probably due to a dull blade. This will allow the disease to easily enter the injured grass and spread. Suspect this is why everything looks worse now. When the disease becomes this widespread, it can only be temporarily suppress not cured but you have to treat your yard every two weeks to keep most of the grass alive until you can reseed. I'm speaking from personal experience and a turf professor from NCSU confirmed the temporary suppression for situations like ours. 🥴

[@MrFergusonLawn]

I hear ya, but the blade was just sharpened a few weeks ago. I’m swapping it tomorrow, but not been more than 3 weeks with that sharp blade. It will work out, always does. I appreciate your advice and input. I’ll stay on treatments.

[@atg4469]

That's potassium deficiency brother. Apply some foliar potassium. Do a soil test. I have tall fescue and when I had potassium deficiency I thought it was fungus. But temps/humidity aren't high enough for fungus. You put down preventative and it still happened? Didn't make sense. Apply potassium. Foliar AND granular.

[@MrFergusonLawn]

I appreciate the comment, but it’s not a K deficiency. We shared our latest soil test a few videos back. It’s highest it’s ever been. We soil test twice a year, and I’ve been applying K for years. Not the issue. Also I’m in NC. We do have high temps and humidity. It’s without question fungus. I shared why the preventative may not have worked in the last video. Thanks

[@atg4469]

​@@MrFergusonLawn interesting, it's funny because that's exactly how my lawn looked and when I did a soil test it was potassium deficiency. I guess correlation is not always causation 😅. But wow you guys get hit with fungus wayyyy earlier than ny. I know you said you were going to try armada, I've never tried it. But I did spray azoxy2sc with some surfactant, let it sit for 48 hours then watered in in the past and that did the trick for me when I first moved into my house

[@stevewilley5185]

The worst thing you can do is stripe your lawn ... You are asking for trouble by doing that !!!