Bad spots in lawn - Ask Extension
I really want a healthy green lawn. But year after year, I struggle with spots like these somewhere in the yard. These spots started to appear a littl...
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Bad spots in lawn #940549
Asked July 26, 2026, 11:59 AM EDT
I really want a healthy green lawn. But year after year, I struggle with spots like these somewhere in the yard. These spots started to appear a little over a month ago. As you can see the rest of the lawn is healthy. I have fertilized it three times this season. I have an irrigation system that keeps it watered. I have tugged on the bad spots to see if it was grubs. The grass does not come up.
I would gladly bring a sample in to OSU extension if that would be best. I am desperate to have a better looking lawn.
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Thank you for your question about the issues your having with your home turf. I suggest you send a sample of OSU's turf team for diagnosis. Here is a link to the page describing how to take a sample:
https://turfdisease.osu.edu/sampling
Here is a link to the form to be filled out. I believe it can be filled out online:
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://ppdc.osu.edu/sites/ppdc/files/imce/PPDC_Turf_Form_2024.pdf
There are phone numbers on the first link page in case you have any questions. I suggest you submit photos as well as a sample for best diagnosis.
Here's a link to a great fact sheet on turf grasses from Purdue:
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/bp/bp-124-w.pdf
Good luck with your lawn.
https://turfdisease.osu.edu/sampling
Here is a link to the form to be filled out. I believe it can be filled out online:
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://ppdc.osu.edu/sites/ppdc/files/imce/PPDC_Turf_Form_2024.pdf
There are phone numbers on the first link page in case you have any questions. I suggest you submit photos as well as a sample for best diagnosis.
Here's a link to a great fact sheet on turf grasses from Purdue:
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/bp/bp-124-w.pdf
Good luck with your lawn.
