great lawn (in summer)

Hi guys,

bare with me please as i know nothing but the basic's when it comes to lawns.

I have a great lawn all summer, but as soon as the weather turns colder it just turns soggy. There is also large clumps of wet mud growing out of it??
I mow it (long) every week. Should i cut it shorter? is this mud caused by some animal, (i have no pets) and if so how do i get rid of them.

I also happen to be Australian so not used to this soggy problem

Any help would be appecated

 

Large clumps of wet mud?? Mole hills? Can you show us a photo?

 

No maybe not large about the size of cat sh*t, though it's not and very wet.

 

Could be worm casts or animal crap such as left by foxes, hedgehogs or whatever. Does it smell of ****?

 

Oh dear - we have a tiresome auto censor. That should read "Does it smell of sh.it?"

 

Apart from this intersting aspect of the problem, Bruce ( :D ) dampness and sogginess in grass is usually a drainage problem.

Best way to deal with this, if your garden isn't TOO big, is to go over the whole area making holes in it with your border fork, then brushing in top dressing, which you can get ready mixed in places like garden centres and BQ type places, mix your own or just use sharp snag. Then you can re-seed any bare patches in the spring.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1000/autumn_lawn.asp

 

Hi, thanks for the tips. I had a good look over the weekend and it's deffo mud. (I didn't sniff though) Kinda looks like it could be "worm casts" but they must be bloody big worms. After i mowed, the lawn was covered in 4" patches of mud. Assumeing you guys are right how do i get rid of the ******s??

 

You don't!

Worms do a better job of aerating your lawn and keeping it healthy than any mechanical intervention ever can. If the casts are a problen then lift them before mowing and they won't get spread about on your grass. Worm casts make a super addition to any compost.

 

Have you perhaps thought it could be a Badger they often go onto fresh cut lawns in search of worms,and of course they do there toilet which isnt all that big for the size animal they are

 

I'm not sure I want to know exactly how you know that Macleaf!! :D :D

 

Wow, so far i have fox's, hedgehogs, cats, moles and now badgers!! I'm deffo staying up tonight to see what goes on.

Seriously though, i'm now sure they're worm "casts" and i'm sure they're good for the garden. Is now the time to add a top dressing?

thanks again. bruce.

 

If you can post some photo's it would help us to help you.

 

WM you have a wicked sense of humour i love it :D :D