Turf problems

What else is new?

So, something isn't quite right. While the rest of the lawn has been greening up quite well, the new Kentucky bluegrass that I planted in the front yard last fall just isn't. It's still very short and hasn't been nearly long enough to mow even though I've mowed the rest of the lawn several times already.

Some shots I took today of the lawn:

New grass (in center)

New grass

Mmm, look at that grass!

Recovering from weeds

New gress

Also, I have noticed some patches of disease.

Up close

This looks a lot like the disease I noticed last year, but contrary to what I thought last year, I'm thinking that it's actually leaf rust. When I rubbed it with my fingers it left an orange coloring. The Purdue publication on the disease says (my emphasis added):

Rust outbreaks are most common in late summer and early fall, although sometimes the disease is active in the early spring (especially on poorly nourished turf). Rust is a disease of slow growing turf, so factors that contribute to poor growth tend to favor rust development. Such factors include summer heat and drought stress, low nitrogen fertility, compaction, and shade.

I can certainly rule out summer head and drought stress. Also:

Maintaining a healthy and vigorous turf stand is the most effective and efficient method of rust control. Since slow growing turf in mid- to late summer is most vulnerable to outbreaks, small amounts of nitrogen fertilizer (0.2-0.5 pound of N per 1,000 square feet) in chronic trouble spots (shaded and possibly compacted areas) will help control the disease. The nitrogen will promote leaf growth and allow for regular mowing, which helps the turf outgrow rust's relatively slow infection cycle.

Additionally, I'm seeing another apparent disease that looks like this:

Up close

I'm thinking that this is likely powdery mildew. Thankfully the Purdue publication on this disease describes it as being more or less harmless:

The disease is rarely responsible for any lasting damage to turf, so its effects are primarily aesthetic.

And:

Powdery mildew occurs most often on slow-growing turf, usually in shaded areas. Pathogen activity is favored by cool, cloudy conditions that prevail in spring and fall. Prolonged periods of dew or wet weather are not needed for disease establishment and spread, although periods of high humidity favor disease development.

So, I'm starting to think that all of the above problems could be caused by malnutrition. Perhaps it needs some fertilizer? I applied some with the crabgrass preventer a few weeks ago, but since I only applied a half "dose", I only ended up applying around about .33 lbs N/1000 sq ft. I think I'll give it a try and put down some fertilizer and see what happens (as usual).