Reoccurring lawn damage

ryan_allibon

 

I'm stumped and am looking for a little advise from the collective.  This is the second year in a row I have had this lawn damage.  The lawn looked perfect in the spring, than in mid May sections started to dry out and the blades became hard like straw.  Now as you can see from the picture sections have died and this lasted all season last year.  Not sure what is causing this.  Any help identifying what this may be would be greatly appreciated 

Fairygirl

Hi Ryan - there could be a few reasons.

1 - animal peeing on it - although it looks the least likely reason. 

2 - uneven surface so the mower blades are scalping areas which are higher

3 - problem below ground - ie an area of concrete or something similar preventing proper drainage

4 - weedkiller damage or excess of a weed and feed product - though again, I'd say that's unlikely if it's exactly the same area

Are any of those a possibility?

ryan_allibon

Thanks for the reply, I would say # 3 would be the only option that may be an issue that was listed.  Would the solution be digging up a small area, lay new soil, and seed as a test? 

Fairygirl

I'd try sticking a fork in and see how far it goes into the ground. If it's only a few inches, you could then dig down and see if there's anything there. The area looks quite uniform and rectangular in shape- could there have been a driveway, or a paved area for a car or something there?

Unfortunately, if there is concrete or tarmac or similar under there, you'd really have to remove it to make the ground suitable for good grass. 

Hopefully it isn't that though