2020 Lawn thread

[Harry Flashman]

8-P said:

Harry Flashman said:

I had exactly the same problem, as well as stunted growth and meadowgrass infestations. For the first time ever this year I used a short duration granular fertiliser (applied every six weeks).

Sorted it out immediately, and the lawn looks absolutely amazing and for the first time ever is growing properly (it was laid on sand by idiots, and has never thrived until this year, when I started fertilising).

Game changer. Does mean you get more weeds, but I don't mind the daisies and clover, myself. I mowed the meadowgrass patches very short and the newly fertilised lawngrass outcompeted it very quickly indeed.

Edited by Harry Flashman on Thursday 23 July 09:46

Interesting, Im using Lawnsmith summer slow release - https://www.lawnsmith.co.uk/prod/lawn-fertiliser-p...

What did you buy Harry?

I also used Lawnsmith's slow release in spring, and it appeared to do nothing, so it looks like my lawn needs regular quick release feeding, which makes sense as it is on sand so I guess the slow release fertiliser just leaches away rather than being held in the soil?

So I bought this:

https://thegrasspeople.com/quick-release-spring-su...

Note that it is not meant to be applied after August, to prevent vulnerable growth happening in autumn.

[iambigred]

8-P said:

Blimey - cracking, now Im really upset mine looks so duff

It only looks this good for about 2 days after mowing

[8-P]

Harry Flashman said:

I also used Lawnsmith's slow release in spring, and it appeared to do nothing, so it looks like my lawn needs regular quick release feeding, which makes sense as it is on sand so I guess the slow release fertiliser just leaches away rather than being held in the soil?

So I bought this:

https://thegrasspeople.com/quick-release-spring-su...

Note that it is not meant to be applied after August, to prevent vulnerable growth happening in autumn.

Thanks Ill give it a go - next year though I think.

Is it me or is Lawnsmith fertiliser really quite pricey?

[Harry Flashman]

I'd fertilise it now togive it a boost, and then use a slow release winter fertiliser in autumn?

IMy lawn has been really poor in spring, and I am pretty sure that this has partly been because it has gone into winter weak...

[dhutch]

ooid said:

Here is the state of my horrible corner. I still can not believe, this literally emerged/happened in total 6 days. I have removed the yellow, patchy bits carefully and re-seeded now again. I've asked a few friends, they say either lawn disease or someone attacked with week-killer or etc.. It is pretty disappointing.

Something leaked out of nextdoors shed?

[nomad5]

ooid said:

Here is the state of my horrible corner. I still can not believe, this literally emerged/happened in total 6 days. I have removed the yellow, patchy bits carefully and re-seeded now again. I've asked a few friends, they say either lawn disease or someone attacked with week-killer or etc.. It is pretty disappointing.

Any possibility that could be some sort of pollution coming through from a neighbours garden - oil tank leak for example, or some other leak?

[ooid]

I can't see anything on the other side, there is a big shed, that's it. I looked at the soil, and it does not smell "petrol" or anything similar, but there is a bit "moss" on it, and there are flies over it so not sure if it's a lawn disease or someone poured something on it?!

[anonymous-user]

If you're on good terms with the neighbour, I'd be having a chat and asking them whether there is any obvious cause.

Looks either like a leak in their shed, or possibly they've gone wild with a weedkiller and its drained into your garden.

[ooid]

By the way, the new grass that I just seeded there grows like pinky colour?!

[iambigred]

ooid said:

By the way, the new grass that I just seeded there grows like pinky colour?!

Could this be 'red thread'?

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

iambigred said:

Could this be 'red thread'?

I could be wrong, but I don’t think so - I wouldn’t expect red thread in such sparse turf with plenty of air movement, and some of the pink spikes can clearly be seen emerging from the soil, which I don’t think ties in with red thread. It looks like the seedling grass is being scorched as it germinates. Maybe there is indeed a contaminant in the soil.

Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Thursday 23 July 15:20

[r44flyer]

That grass isn't growing properly at all, there's something affecting its normal growth.

It seems fairly obvious to me that something has been spilled into the corner next door and it has spread from the corner onto your lawn. Has next door washed the shed out after a spillage?

[ooid]

I have no idea gents. I have not seen any activity on other sides though, my patio was being done during that time, and the gents were quite careful with everything, they were all out during the work, they would have warned if something strange was spilling there?

I'm planning to cut the whole affected area, dig the sand, fertilize again, and lay some rolled turfs from rolawn again... It would be much more ideal than waiting another 2-3 months to grow, I guess.

This picture was taken 11 days ago by the way, it was a very mild-yellowish tone but suddenly it's gone mad..

[anonymous-user]

Is it really wise to go to all that effort without attempting to identify the current problem?

[ooid]

Here is more pinky/purplish grass coming up! No idea what it is, I’ve taken a soil sample and will be bringing to to local lawn centre.

Edited by ooid on Friday 24th July 10:22

[Catnip64]

ooid said:

Here is the state of my horrible corner. I still can not believe, this literally emerged/happened in total 6 days. I have removed the yellow, patchy bits carefully and re-seeded now again. I've asked a few friends, they say either lawn disease or someone attacked with week-killer or etc.. It is pretty disappointing.

What's over the wall behind your garden, could someone have disposed of some liquid between the wall and fence?

[Harry Flashman]

bd squirrels are digging up my lawn to bury things in! Watched them do it this morning.

Out with the air rifle this weekend, then.

[ooid]

okay gents, the turf experts emailed me saying it is indeed, bad news "RED THREAD"

I've been recommonded to use some fungicide, and than I will dig the whole area and put a new roll turf..

[jagnet]

ooid said:

okay gents, the turf experts emailed me saying it is indeed, bad news "RED THREAD"

No chance. That's definitely not red thread.

The red/purple is typical of ryegrass basal leaf stems but yours are freakishly elongated. The pattern of affected grass and the mutant seedling development both scream contamination from something leaking onto your lawn from the corner, although I have no idea what it might be.

[ChocolateFrog]

ooid said:

Here is the state of my horrible corner. I still can not believe, this literally emerged/happened in total 6 days. I have removed the yellow, patchy bits carefully and re-seeded now again. I've asked a few friends, they say either lawn disease or someone attacked with week-killer or etc.. It is pretty disappointing.

If that's anything other than something being poured or flushed from the other side of the fence then I'd eat my hat.

Could be accidental, have the neighbours been cleaning their patio recently?