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New turf turning brown

Parker47Parker47 Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Hi all,

I had new turf laid about 2.5 weeks ago. We originally had grass down, but had issues with drainage and flooding. It’s a new build house and the builder had to install field drains through the garden. After they’d dug it up they rotovated the top soil and laid new turf. 

It has taken root (can’t pull up any corners) and has been growing well as the weather has been warm. We have been watering for around 20 minutes a day with the hose on a sprinkler setting. We were told to wait 3 weeks before cutting so are planning to do that this weekend. However, I’ve noticed that while the top of the grass is very green, at the base it looks brown and mushy. Does anyone know why this could be? I’m worried I have been overwatering or if fertiliser would help. 

I am pretty new to gardening so would be grateful for any suggestions.

thanks!

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Hello @Parker47 and welcome to the forum  :)

    I don't think that's too much to worry about ... given that you say it's rooted well, I'd cut back a bit on the watering now ... mowing (not too short) will get some air to the base of the plants and I think that will help solve the problem.

    I wouldn't feed such a new lawn ... others may say different ... @MrMow is one of the lawn specialists here ... hopefully he'll see this and pop in with more advice.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Can l just say that l agree with @Dovefromabove, the main thing now is not to cut too short, so set the mower to it's highest setting.  You only want to clip the tips by about 5cms.
  • Parker47Parker47 Posts: 3
    Thanks so much for your replies, it’s good to know that mowing on a high setting might help. It’s quite long so I think maybe we’ve let it get too long before mowing, we were told to wait 3 weeks but it does appear to have grown very quick. Thanks again! 
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    You haven't let it get too long.  It's important to allow it to settle and root before doing anything to it.  As has been said, set the mower to it's highest setting and just lower by one setting each time you cut.
  • Parker47Parker47 Posts: 3
    Hi all, just an update and hoping for more advice please! The lawn has now been cut quite a few times on the highest setting, however it’s very patchy in places. I don’t think it has been very well levelled as it’s bumpy to walk on, but I’m not sure if this could be contributing to the problem? I’m thinking of seeding these patchy bits, do you think that would work? 

    Thank you in advance 😊
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited May 2022
    You can gradually level up hollows by brushing in about half an inch of soil every so often so that most of the length of the grass sticks up through it. Repeat every now and again when the grass has rooted into it so you can't really see the soil that you added. That way you don't need to add seed which might be a different type of grass to your turf and would permanently look patchy (unless you know the grass varieties in your turf and can get a similar mix as seed).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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