Turf Problems

·16 min·1 clip

A strange underground insect called the cranberry girdler secretly destroys grass roots before winter finishes it off.

This episode features horticulture agent Linda Langelo and CSU turfgrass specialist Dr. Tony Kosky discussing lawn recovery and management after a damaging winter. They address widespread turfgrass death observed across Colorado following an unusually cold, dry, and windy season. Kosky attributes much of the damage to pre-existing irrigation coverage problems, which left grass drought-stressed before a "freeze-drying" winter finished it off. He explains that conducting an irrigation audit with catch cans can reveal these coverage issues. Other causes of damage include the cranberry girdler insect, which feeds on roots, and various grubs like Japanese beetle larvae. Kosky states that turfgrass mites are also a perennial spring problem in the region. For areas that have not greened up, he recommends renovation through reseeding or resodding only after fixing underlying irrigation problems. Linda Langelo shares her personal solution of converting a damaged, hot lawn edge into a vegetable garden. When selecting new grass, Kosky advises matching existing turf for aesthetics or using renovation as an opportunity to install improved varieties. He mentions Texas hybrid bluegrasses, a cross with Texas bluegrass, for superior heat tolerance. Turf-type tall fescue is recommended for heat and salt tolerance, while buffalo grass and blue grama are presented as native, low-water options. He also discusses turf-type Bermuda grass, available as sod or plugs, including a 'Dog Tuff' cultivar from the Plant Select program. A key insight is that all new lawns, even drought-tolerant natives, require ample water in their first establishment year. Kosky emphasizes that water savings only come in subsequent years once the grass is fully established. He stresses the critical importance of mowing at a taller height to promote deeper roots and more efficient water use. Over-fertilizing is discouraged as it increases water needs and can reduce drought resistance. A memorable anecdote involves clients whose lawn was burned by fertilizer application just before a home wedding, highlighting the risk of applying salts in high heat without immediate watering. The tone is educational and conversational, grounded in decades of extension experience. Listeners seeking practical, region-specific lawn repair advice will find this episode valuable. Those uninterested in detailed turfgrass varieties or Colorado horticultural challenges might skip it.

As heard by us

Practical turf advice on drought stress, watering gaps, and when to plant.

The segment stays grounded in the practical side of turf care: dry weather, uneven irrigation, and winter drought stress can leave grass looking freeze-dried before spring even starts.

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Why you'd press play

Your lawn's brown patches may trace back to winter drought stress, and this episode explains why.

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