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Half of our lawn is dying - advice needed

justin.vanrhynjustin.vanrhyn Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi everybody,

We are having lawn problems and need some advice!

The grass on half the lawn is poor quality - shallow roots, bare patches, pulls out easily.  What could be causing this?

We have tried aerating, adding a fine compost top dressing, and re-sowing several times over the past two years but nothing seems to work.  The problem has been there through different types of weather (dry, wet, cold, etc.).  The grass on the other side of the lawn is much healthier.

Can anybody help diagnose the problem and help offer any solutions?  Some photos are attached, including close-ups of the bare patches.

Thank you




Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    My guess is that area gets more shade from the fences. Lawn grass doesn't really do well in shade. There are seed mixes that are described as being for shade but they are, as far as I can tell, bents and fescues which are finer, less hard-wearing grasses than the usual "utility" type of seed which is mostly dwarf ryegrass, so will look different from the rest of the lawn. 
    It might be better to make a deeper border - plenty of shrubs and plants like ferns and hostas will do well in more shade and if you decide to go that way, I'm sure there will be plenty more suggestions.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Have you checked for Chafer Grubs? 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Half your lawn looks like moss.  "Pulls out easily" is a give-away.  So is the pale colour.

    Kill the moss and improve drainage and aeration by spiking..  
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • justin.vanrhynjustin.vanrhyn Posts: 2
    Thanks for these ideas, that's very helpful.  I couldn't see any Chafer Grubs after digging around.  I'll aim to tackle the moss/aerate and might end up expanding the border.
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