Expert: Ronald B Persaud - 7/6/2009

Question
I live in South Texas (near Laredo, TX) where we have warm to hot temperatures just about year round.  The problem is that my mom used to have beatiful carpetgrass but I have noticed that the grass is dying or dead.  I water twice a day (around 6 AM and 8 PM) but the brown grass just gets worse.  I checked for grubs and did not find any.  Weeds and stickers are taking over where grass used to be.  I can see the brown strands of roots where grass used to be.  I don't know what to apply to the lawn or what to do.  I have heard about applying cornmeal and powdered laundry soap.

Answer
The grass is dying because of one or more of the following reasons:
1. You are over-watering it.
2. It has been infected by a fungus. They thrive in hot humid times and we make it easy for them when we water at night.
3. It has been attacked by insects.
I would certainly cut out the watering at 8PM. Check for insects. If they are still present, treat the lawn with an insecticide. A fungus requires correct identification before treatment can be finalised. Perhaps by this time it no longer exists.
I am not competent to comment upon treatment involving cornmeal and laundry soap.