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Unexplained 'brown' patches in new lawn

anthony.gilmartinj_JG3ou6anthony.gilmartinj_JG3ou6 Posts: 1
in Problem solving
Hi I am hoping someone may be able to advise as to what is causing my recently laid lawn to develop brown / dead patches.

I laid the lawn myself back at the beginning of June, after having first done all of the necessary prep (rotavating,laying new top soil, levelling, applying fertiliser, watering etc.) to create what I hoped would be a lovely new lawn. The turf established itself pretty quickly and for a while looked great. More recently however, and especially evident after mowing, a number of areas have appeared where the grass is struggling to grow (and may even be dead?)  with each having a distinct brown colour which is frustrating given the amount I paid for the turf which was supposedly a premium, shade resistant type of grass.

I have done some digging on the web and come across a condition called 'brown patch' fungal disease but the pictures dont seem to marry up with what I seeing on my lawn. On close inspection, the grass (and individual blades) in the effected areas appear to have a 'wiry' fibrous type appearance (see attached photo), which is really baffling. Does anyone know what this is and whether it can be remedied? Is the grass beyond recovery?

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks,

Anthony.

PS I should add we do have a dog but I don't believe he has caused the spots given he's been trained to do his business at the back of the garden and we are careful to keep an eye on him when he goes out especially since the new lawn was laid!

























Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited August 2022
    Probably you have been over keen on applying weed killer/fertiliser. With this stuff in particular it really pays to read the instructions super carefully, follow to the letter and err on the side of caution.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    As a matter of interest, which fertiliser did you use please ?
  • amgilmartinamgilmartin Posts: 1
    hi, thanks for the response. I used Westland Growmore pellets which i mixed into the top soil upon which I laid the turf. I was careful when doing it not to exceed recommended dose so would be a bit surprised if that was the reason for the brown spots. Was thinking it may be due to thatch build up from mowing (may explain fibrous material) which may have suffocated the grass but then given it’s only been down a few months not sure how feasible this explanation is. Either way do you think the grass is salvable or do I need to lay new turf? Hoping the former ! Thanks 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    That patch has clear edges, so I would think it comes from some kind of application. It seems very easy to overdo. The forum gets many howls of execration each year.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    We have a couple of lawn experts here (not me unfortunately), but my advice would be to scarify those patches and overseed them.
    Maybe @MrMow or someone else can help.
    As you say, l don't think it's the pellets as the areas are so localised. 
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