found this in turf...

Discussion in 'Lawns' started by ajadcock, Jul 12, 2015.

  1. ajadcock

    ajadcock Guest

    Ratings:
    +0
    Hi all,

    new here so be gentle! :)

    I found this in my 6 week old turf today:[​IMG]

    any help identifying would be great!!

    I also have a patchy/thin area and i'm not sure what's caused it? -
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    any ideas on how it happened and how to fix it?

    Thanks!
    Adam
     
  2. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2012
    Messages:
    28,104
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Public Transport
    Location:
    At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
    Ratings:
    +52,900
    Looks to me like you might have cut it a bit close for new turf, and possibly its a bit dry too - - - have you been watering it?

    As for the weed, I have no idea, sorry.

    EDIT - welcome to GC by the way :sign0016:

    Our @Sheal is one of our lawns experts - hopefully she will be able to advise further.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • wiseowl

      wiseowl Admin Staff Member

      Joined:
      Oct 29, 2006
      Messages:
      45,080
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Philosophy of people
      Location:
      Flying Free As A Bird over North Kent Marshes
      Ratings:
      +92,560
      Good afternoon @ajadcock and welcome,I took the liberty of enlarging your photo,so that it will give one of our friends more of a chance of identifying your lawn problem;)

      [​IMG]
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • Friendly Friendly x 1
      • ajadcock

        ajadcock Guest

        Ratings:
        +0
        fat controller - it was watered daily in the evening throughout the hot weather until it rooted well and then every other day - enough or maybe not?

        wiseowl - no problem thanks! :)
         
        • Friendly Friendly x 1
        • Scrungee

          Scrungee Well known for it

          Joined:
          Dec 5, 2010
          Messages:
          16,524
          Location:
          Central England on heavy clay soil
          Ratings:
          +28,998
          Looks like a seedling of goosegrass (Galium aparine), they have long stems covrered with round seeds covered in tiny hooks, spend ages getting out of Pup's fur.

          Young ones look like this, when older like 2nd pic

          [​IMG]

          [​IMG]
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Friendly Friendly x 1
          • ajadcock

            ajadcock Guest

            Ratings:
            +0
            ahhh I see thanks Scrungree, any ideas only keeping it at bay?
            is it going to be a case of harass the life out of it and don't let it get established?
             
          • ajadcock

            ajadcock Guest

            Ratings:
            +0
            Just for reference this is an area of turf about a metre away from the dodgy patch and my thumb in the grass for an idea of length - roughly 35-40mm after a cut. :)

            [​IMG][​IMG]


            thanks for looking!

            adam
             
          • Fat Controller

            Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

            Joined:
            May 5, 2012
            Messages:
            28,104
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Public Transport
            Location:
            At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
            Ratings:
            +52,900
            Ah, so its not too close a cut then - the only thing I can think of then is that the roots on the patch might not be just as well established as the other bits. I laid some new turf myself earlier this year, and overseeded one half of the lawn, and the bit that I have overseeded grows much, much more prolifically than the turf - I am working on the basis that the turf is still getting its roots right down deep
             
          • Sheal

            Sheal Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Feb 2, 2011
            Messages:
            36,228
            Gender:
            Female
            Location:
            Dingwall, Ross-shire
            Ratings:
            +54,866
            Welcome to Gardeners Corner Adam. :) Your turf isn't at fault regarding the weed appearance. Dormant seeds may have been in the soil below it and on germination have grown up through your turf. There's also the possibility of seeds blowing in or being dropped by birds.

            Can I ask what sort of lawnmower you use and when the blade was last sharpened please?
             
          • ajadcock

            ajadcock Guest

            Ratings:
            +0
            Sheal - thanks for the info!

            now, the mower... its a Briggs&Stratton petrol rotary thing. blades sharpened probably never...
             
          • Sheal

            Sheal Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Feb 2, 2011
            Messages:
            36,228
            Gender:
            Female
            Location:
            Dingwall, Ross-shire
            Ratings:
            +54,866
            The reason I asked about the mower was your last picture in post #7. It looks as though the blade is tearing the grass in preference to cutting it, that is usually the sign of a blunt blade or a Flymo which are notorious for it. It would help your lawn if you get the blade sharpened or replaced.

            If the turf has only been down six weeks then there is plenty of time for it to fill out. When the lawn is mowed it's like pruning a shrub, taking off some growth will make it put out new branches, or blades in this case and thicken it up. If it's still a problem next spring then I would over seed it.
             
          • ajadcock

            ajadcock Guest

            Ratings:
            +0
            Thanks Sheal, will look into getting it sharpened I think as it's an oldish mower so not much chance of spares I reckon!
             
            • Friendly Friendly x 1
            Loading...

            Share This Page

            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
              Dismiss Notice