Lawn issues any experts around?

Cobra

Cobra

In Memoriam. TPer Emeritus
Admin
Messages
114,434
Name
The real Chris
Edit My Images
No
Brown patches have started appearing on my lawn, I made sure they were well watered at the first signs.
That didn't make any difference tbh. The next thing that occurred to me was Cockchafer grubs, that or leather jackets.
I've never seen Cockchafer's but I do see Crane fly's / Daddy long-legs at the appropriate times of the year..

I also get the tell tale signs of Corvids probing the lawn. And sometimes starlings doing the same en mass
Having refreshed my memory as to the life cycle I'm fairly confident that its one or the other.

So, cutting a couple of foot square turfs in the appropriate and different areas to a depth of 3 inches and then excavating
a further 3 inches into the soil, (which was damp to the first 3 inches)
I saw neither eggs or grubs.

I'm a bit baffled TBH, any other suggestions?
Anyhow, I have nematodes on order and will treat the lawn just in case they saw me coming and moved :D
 
I wonder if the problem is “Dry Patch” if it is you could try mixing a small amount of washing up liquid in a watering can to create a wetting agent and treat the area with it.
More info here:-
www.rhs.org.uk

Lawns: Dry Patch Problems & Fixes | RHS Advice

Learn what causes dry patches in lawns and how to restore healthy, green grass effectively.
www.rhs.org.uk www.rhs.org.uk
 
Last edited:
ST1 said:
I wonder if the problem is “Dry Patch” if it is you could try mixing a small amount of washing up liquid in a watering can to create a wetting agent and treat the area with it.
More info here:-
www.rhs.org.uk

Lawns: Dry Patch Problems & Fixes | RHS Advice

Learn what causes dry patches in lawns and how to restore healthy, green grass effectively.
www.rhs.org.uk www.rhs.org.uk
Click to expand...
That's a new one on me, thanks for the tip and link (y)
 
You ain't bin lettin' that bi7ch p155 on yer lawn again, 'ave yer?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nod
Am certainly not an expert, but in this prolonged hot weather I just leave it to go brown and don’t cut it. The grass is in dehydration / survival mode and watering will just confuse it. Assuming it is not mossy, it will recover gradually once we have regular rain and you can start watering it again.

I have had a few animal excavations but just cover those.
 
Last edited:
Are these patches a regular shape? Could it be old foundations or lumps of masonry under the turf?
We get perfectly straight brown lines right across our lawn when it’s dry. The previous owners just turfed straight over some old concrete garden paths. It only shows up in really long spells of dry weather and they’re about a foot under the grass so I’m not about to start digging them all out.
 
Cobra said:
Brown patches have started appearing on my lawn, I made sure they were well watered at the first signs.
That didn't make any difference tbh. The next thing that occurred to me was Cockchafer grubs, that or leather jackets.
I've never seen Cockchafer's but I do see Crane fly's / Daddy long-legs at the appropriate times of the year..

I also get the tell tale signs of Corvids probing the lawn. And sometimes starlings doing the same en mass
Having refreshed my memory as to the life cycle I'm fairly confident that its one or the other.

So, cutting a couple of foot square turfs in the appropriate and different areas to a depth of 3 inches and then excavating
a further 3 inches into the soil, (which was damp to the first 3 inches)
I saw neither eggs or grubs.

I'm a bit baffled TBH, any other suggestions?
Anyhow, I have nematodes on order and will treat the lawn just in case they saw me coming and moved :D
Click to expand...

We've git that as well. I put it down to our dog (bitch) but couldn't figure why it would suddenly burn after years of no effect.
 
While we have you lawn people.
How do i get rid of Moles. We have sonic sounders, which they seem to love. 2 days ago watered in some castor oil granules which they apparently hate.
Wife does not want them killed, (although shes getting there) :D
 
boogie man said:
Are these patches a regular shape? Could it be old foundations or lumps of masonry under the turf?
Click to expand...
I laid this lawn, and no, the soil was well prepared (y)

Cockney said:
I put it down to our dog (bitch) but couldn't figure why it would suddenly burn after years of no effect.
Click to expand...
I guess it is the accumulative effect in an exceptionally dry weather.

Cockney said:
How do i get rid of Moles
Click to expand...
Professional Pest controllers hat on ;)

Kill the bastids with a decent trap.
I favour this this TYPE
Moles are no longer on my hit list but I may have killed one or two ;) over the years.
I won't write war and peace, as I'm sure there are plenty of "how to" video's on you tube.
Just make sure when the trap is buried that all light is excluded from the tunnel as is any loose soil that may have fallen in.
Wear glove to eliminate smell.
Use a sharp stake to find the runs it'll give way when to push the stake into the soil.

Cockney said:
We have sonic sounders, which they seem to love.
Click to expand...
I'll tell you a story about them.
When they started to hit the market, several years ago, a Dr I know was tasked with testing their efficiency.
The guy has a colony of 1000's of wild mice and rats.

Within 2 hours of placing the ultra sonic's in a pen containing 100 mice, they were sitting on it & peeing ( scent marking) on it.
Yep that worked ;)
 
Cockney said:
While we have you lawn people.
How do i get rid of Moles. We have sonic sounders, which they seem to love. 2 days ago watered in some castor oil granules which they apparently hate.
Wife does not want them killed, (although shes getting there) :D
Click to expand...


Water Toys | Water Blasters | The Works

Cool off this summer with our range of Water Toys. Shop online at The Works for the best prices on Water Toys and Guns.
www.theworks.co.uk www.theworks.co.uk
 
Nod said:

Water Toys | Water Blasters | The Works

Cool off this summer with our range of Water Toys. Shop online at The Works for the best prices on Water Toys and Guns.
www.theworks.co.uk www.theworks.co.uk
Click to expand...
And they are about as much use as a fart in a thunderstorm.
I know you were kidding, but I also know that people do use them.
And they rarely get them in the right place anyway.
 
Cockney said:
While we have you lawn people.
How do i get rid of Moles. We have sonic sounders, which they seem to love. 2 days ago watered in some castor oil granules which they apparently hate.
Wife does not want them killed, (although shes getting there) :D
Click to expand...


Horses, moles hate being galloped over ...

... although I accept they may not be good for the rest of the garden! :rolleyes:
 
Had moles in back garden of first house in the 70's.

Was told to flatten all mole hills and wait till next day to find new one's, as they would be active. Then to part bury a jam jar or open neck bottle into the mound with the open end facing the prevailing wind. The theory being that it would drive them out because of the noise. It worked!
 
*wonders how effective a bluetooth speaker playing Des O'Connor dropped down the hole would be*
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top