Newly laid turf with flattened patches

[rbuk33]

Hi, we had be turf laid approx 3 weeks ago. Ever since there has been almost constant rain so fairly certain the grass has had enough water, potentially too much? The ground does feel soggy j in certain areas.
In most cases, it's fine but there are seemingly random patches of flattened grass where it looks like someone has stood on it. It has barely been stood on in that time (except for taking some pics of it now - see a couple below!). These areas feel particularly wet.
Is there anything I need to be concerned if out will this sort itself out when the sun starts to come out?
Thanks in advance for any help or advice

[Simpo Two]

I can't be certain but it does look a bit like water-logging. Are you on clay soil?

I'm sure it will sort itself out as the year progresses.

[rbuk33]

Thanks for your reply. Yes on clay soil. They seemed to prepare the soil OK, removing old lawn, rotavating it and then using a roller on it, filling in any holes with more top soil before paying the turf. I just hope it does sort itself out!
Anything i should/can do in meantime to help it?

[Simpo Two]

Later in the year when the turf is established, if you think drainage is still an issue, you could aerate and top dress it.

https://www.lawnsmith.co.uk/lawn-care-advice/aerat...

Eventually of course moss will get hold so keep an eye out for that.

[Snow and Rocks]

There's nothing you can really do at this stage anyway so I would just leave it to establish itself and see how things go.

I had a area of wet ground that I was sceptical about seeding but now the grass is established it's perfectly fine. It still gets a bit squidgy after prolonged heavy rain but the grass has really firmed everything up and grows perfectly well.

[Far Cough]

I`d give those small areas you mention a very gentle rake to prevent the grass remaining flat against the water logged soil. Grass is pretty hardy so it will be a case of waiting and seeing when the weather picks up. Even if you have re seed , at least they are only small areas.

[rbuk33]

Thank you all for the advice and comments. I've brushed some of the patches to see if that helps, esp as rain meant to be less over next week or so. I've also bought some pre turfing fertiliser, as none went down beforehand, which apparently is fine for applying afterwards as long as watered in well

[anonymous-user]

From those pictures it looks very similar to the destruction that crows do when digging for chafer beetles this time of year.

[rbuk33]

Hi all, looking for some further advice. Lawn now down 4 weeks with plenty of rain (as above!). 'm reading online now is probably good time to do the first mow, keeping height high using sharp blade etc. Do you think I should mow first and then fill the gaps immediately after, and if so with what type of soil? Top dressing or just get some lawn topsoil, either mixed with seed?
Or am I best filling the holes now with soil and seed, letting that area grow and then leave the mowing for a couple more weeks?
I'm thinking a mow as it'll create more space to see the gaps to fill in
Any thoughts appreciated, cheers

[Far Cough]

I would mow first , a very gentle high cut just to make it looks less tufty and then deal with the patches. This will give the remedial work a chance to work before mowing again.

Did the flattened areas come back to life so to speak ?

[sospan]

^^^^^^^^^^
Do this as it delays the next mow that might damage the emerging grass shoots. Our dog creates some bare patches due to his urine’s strength and his liking for a regular spot, but I just patch them. Loosen the patch area soil, sprinkle on a seed/top dressing mix after a mow ( shallow cut).

[rbuk33]

Thanks both. I'll try that over the weekend. Most of the areas haven't come back as yet. It does look pretty good in the other areas so hopefully seed with some top dressing will bring those areas back to life