Problem lawn

A couple of months ago I noticed a patch of our back lawn had what looked like black slime at the base of the grass. I tried to rake this out with a wire rake but it didn't help, and it now seems to have spread to a bigger area (about 3 sq yards).

I was told to try Armillatox on it but im not sure about this
.
Any Ideas anyone

Thanks for your advice

 

Its a fungal growth/ algae caused by water loging, this is what you need to sort out.

Aeriation will be a start, filling the holes with sharp sand, possibly then water on a ferrous sulphate solution.

 

I know this sounds stupid, but what is a ferrous sulphate solution.
Is there a brand name I should look out for in a garden centre?

Thanks for the reply

 

Hello Nigel62 and welcome to GC.

I'm afraid I can't help you with your lawn problem as I don't have one here. :(

I have Armillatox as I had to use it for honey fungus on a Buddleia.

I would think a ferrous sulphate solution would be iron ... but I could be wrong there and perhaps someone will come and clarify this for you.

In the meantime, enjoy the forum.

 

Iron sulphate.

A tea cup full in 10 litres, stir it in so it disolves, water or spray on. It acts as a moss killer and tonic without stimulating growth like nitrogen.

Most garden centres should have it posibly also wilkinsons.

 

Nigel, it`s sold as Sulphate of Iron. A box will cost a couple of pounds.:thumb:

 

It isn't common to get black slime on lawns, so I think the question is, what is the cause. For example is it a very wet or very compacted area?

 

Its quite damp where it is and also gets quite a bit of shade.
Compacted ??? not sure, but a fork and sharp sand cant make it any worse before I put the sulphate down.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply, its really appreciated

Nigel

 

Hi
What you have is slime mold usually sandy soil and in a drip line of a tree becomes a hard crust when dry and a slime when wet.

Yes Hollow tine aerate the whole lawn but first treat with lawn sand (sulphate of iron & sulphate of ammonia and sharp sand mixed) sold for under £10 in 20gk. Be careful as is its powerful stuff. You need to treat it first (2 weeks as the aerator will spread the slime mold if not killed first also when you mow that area do there last .If you don't you will spread it to other lawns .

You also need to scarify the lawn after aeration you will need to feed the lawn regularly during the summer if you are to rid the problem pertinently.

If you need help send me a private message

thelawnexpert