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Yellow grass after scrarifying
Desthemoaner
Posts: 191
Fairly simple problem with an equally simple solution, hopefully.
I scarified ( there was no "scrarifying" despite the thread title) my lawn back end of September, early October, and most of the new seed that I put down on the bare patches has taken well. However, in one or two areas the grass is turning yellow.
Is this anything I should be concerned about, and if so, can I do owt to address it?
We do have a dog, but he's elderly, can't climb the steps leading to the yellowed areas and is therefore innocent. 
Thanks.
Last edited: 13 November 2016 13:35:36
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Posts
Is the ground compacted where the yellowing is happening ?
If the roots are flooded for a prolonged time that'll kill it.
Or a recent heavy frost on the tender growth?
Or possibly some sort of fungus - I've never seen so many toadstools about as this year.
Or your old dog is cocking his leg with an extremely impressive and accurate flow
A pic may help if you have one
Last edited: 13 November 2016 15:40:39
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Thanks, Pete.
Its a bit too dark for my antwacky old camera to take a picture today, but I'll try to remember to post one tomorrow.
We haven't had any significant frost, but have had a few mushrooms, though I can't say for certain whether they've been in the same areas as the yellowed grass.
Can't comment on the likelihood of flooding, and before I scarified there was no sign of yellowing; just brown, dry patches which along with the proliferating moss was the reason why I opted to scarify in the first place.
I did use a garden fork to pierce and aerate the first affected area that I noticed, but the yellowing persists about a fortnight later.
A pic of the affected area and one of the general area would help.
I just mow mine and let the bald patches mend themselves over time. I do however have a dog so my lawn looks dreadful for most of the year.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Yellowing could also be leatherjacket / chafer grub damage - assuming you are talking about the established grass rather than the recent seeding.
Last edited: 13 November 2016 17:28:58
To be absolutely honest, I'm not sure whether its established grass or recent reseeding. I did so much reseeding after the scarifying that I've lost track as to what is new and what ain't. We have, however had a lot of crane flies this year so maybe the leatherjacket thing is relevant.
Pic to follow if I don't get distracted by something else.
If you've had a lot of crane flies then it could well be leather jacket damage Des. Be interesting to see the pics.
Last year was bad for leatherjacket damage, and I recall a news headline that we were going to get 2 billion of them this year. Not seen many here in Essex - maybe they're with Des
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Yes, I think we had a whole county's worth in our garden this year, Pete, and another county's worth on the inside of the lounge window.
Sorry, but no pic today, unfortunately. Will try to get one sorted tomorrow.
If it is leatherjacket damage, are the appropriate insecticides easily available?
Nematodes next September Des.
As Dave says - it's your only option according to the RHS -
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=651
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.