Turf Troubleshooter

ANNUAL MEADOW GRASS

Don’t panic; it’s only grass… Annual Meadow Grass, or to give its Latin name, Poa Annua, is one of the most widespread native grass species in the UK. It can be found everywhere from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego, so it stands to reason it’s in your domestic lawn, too. When the seed heads are visible, they can be unsightly and often considered a weed – but don’t be fooled!

What is Annual Meadow Grass?

Meadow Grass, or Poa, is a very strong grass species capable of growing at sea level all the way to mountain tops. We have seen it grow by the side of the road or even on a driveway! It can grow anywhere because it has no underground root system and thrives in wet, warm conditions. As it is such a hard-wearing grass type, it is the dominant species in nearly all UK golf greens. It has a paler shade of green, a coarser grass texture, and, when it flowers, it has white seed heads that look like mini ears of corn.

Why is it growing in my lawn?

Because Meadow Grass can grow nearly anywhere, it does, in fact, grow everywhere. That means it can appear in your domestic or commercial lawn, too. Turf growers used to be able to control Poa and even remove it from turf using a selective herbicide, but this is no longer allowed in the UK. Now, our attention has turned toward managing Annual Meadow Grass in lawns, both old and new.

What can I do to get rid of it?

You can manually remove clumps of Meadow Grass by using a knife to cut diagonally through the root and pull it up out of the lawn. You can also apply a spot weedkiller to the area. To repair any bare patches, apply a thin layer of topsoil, then sow in a good-quality seed mix, such as our Green Velvet Lawn Seed.

Is it Meadow Grass a weed?

No, meadow grass is not a weed. It is a robust grass seed, but because of its resilience and ability to grow in any environment, it can often be mistaken for a weed. Meadow grass will not damage or take over your lawn like weeds can.

How can I manage Meadow Grass?

The best way to control Meadow Grass is to manage its appearance. This comes down to a good mowing and growing routine: Good mowing starts with your mower. Meadow Grass is a coarse grass, so you need your mower blade to be sharp so it cuts through. Meadow Grass naturally flattens. To aid your mowing, use a spring rake to lift the seed heads up, so they stand tall and are easier to cut. Always use a collection box to remove all clippings, as these may include seed heads that will spread if left. Mow your lawn regularly to encourage healthy growth throughout. Good growing involves using a high-quality fertiliser, which will improve the condition, health, and resilience of the whole lawn. The right fertiliser, such as our Spring/Summer Envy Fertiliser, can also help darken the colour of Meadow Grass, enabling it to blend in with the rest of your lawn.

In Conclusion…

Annual Meadow Grass is unsightly and unwanted to most lawns, but it is one of the most natural grass species in the UK, so please use our management tips to help your lawn look its best. For more guidance, read our Ultimate Guide to Lawn Fungus & Disease.

CHAFER GRUBS

A real bush tucker trial in your garden… Chafer grubs are the larval form of the Chafer Beetle. They are an off-white colour and often curl into a “C” shape. They can grow up to 1.5 inches in size and have three pairs of legs – so, they can look a little creepy! What you need to know is that they thoroughly enjoy eating the root structure of both new and old lawns.

Where do they live? 

During spring and summer, Chafer grubs live in the soil under your turf, feeding on grass roots. Later in the autumn, they burrow deeper into the soil to escape the cold. Depending on the type of Chafer grub you have, they can live up to three years.

What damage do they cause? 

Chafer grubs feed on the lawn’s roots, restricting how the turf establishes when laid. It can also prevent essential nutrients from being absorbed and harm growth. Animals and birds love to feed on Chafer grubs because they are an easy food source, but to reach them, they scratch and turn over the turf, which can impact its condition and appearance.

Can I get rid of Chafer Grubs? 

Yes! If you see Chafer grubs on your turf, simply pick them off by hand. If there are some left, don’t worry; a few here and there won’t cause too much trouble. Chafer grubs can also be controlled with a biological nematode, microscopic worms that will attack the grubs and eat them. You can no longer use insecticides, as they can harm the health of the birds and bees in your garden, but nematodes are child-, pet-, and wildlife-safe. You can also use a bird or animal scarer to prevent secondary damage.

Were they in my turf when it was delivered? 

No. Our turf is checked thoroughly before delivery, and we spot any Chafer grubs on the outside of the turf rolls. Chafers are mainly found in the soil under the lawn as the ground is being prepared, ready for turf. If, on the rare occasion, you do spot a Chafer grub in your turf delivery, you don’t need to be concerned unless you find five or more grubs under one hand.

In Conclusion…

Chafer grubs can damage your lawn, but only when present in large numbers. Most of the damage is actually caused by the animals and birds trying to eat them. Once you have removed the grubs, you can overseed the lawn to repair any damage using Green Velvet Lawn Seed. For more guidance, read our Ultimate Guide to Lawn Fungus & Disease.

FUSARIUM PATCH DISEASE

Nobody wants trouble with the Fuzz…

Fusarium is the most common turf disease in the UK. It is a fungal disease caused by atmospheric and ground conditions in your garden. It’s very quick to develop because it has a short incubation period. This means tell-tale signs can be visible in as little as 24 hours, making it easy to identify and resolve.

What does it look like?

Fusarium consists of orange or brown patches that start about the size of your fist and can spread larger if the conditions that caused it stay the same. There may also be white or slightly pink cotton-wool-like fluff that forms on the affected areas. Another key sign is that the patches don’t hold the morning dew.

What causes it?

The conditions in your garden can trigger Fusarium. It is most likely to occur when temperatures are mild during the day and at night. Turf staying wet during the day and minimal airflow over the lawn are also factors that create ideal conditions for Fusarium to thrive. It can appear on a new lawn or an established one, although young turf is more at risk.

Can I put anything on it?

There are no chemicals available to non-professionals in the UK for treating Fusarium. If the situation is severe, a lawn specialist could apply a fungicide for you.

What can I do about it?

Lots! To rid your lawn of Fusarium, you need to break the cycle of conditions that are allowing the fungus to flourish. For example:  

• If lingering morning dew is a problem, then knock it off with a grass whip or spring rake.
• In autumn, don’t let fallen leaves sit on your lawn, as they block sunlight and keep the grass damp.
• Be patient! Temperature changes play a major role in the development of Fusarium. As it gets cooler at night, this will naturally put a stop to it.
• Collect grass clippings when mowing your lawn so they don’t sit on the lawn in clumps, potentially increasing damp spots and blocking sunlight.
• Don’t walk on the affected areas, as this can cause the fungus to spread further.
• Lay your fresh turf as soon as you can, and do not leave it rolled up for long periods.
• Keep your lawn healthy: scarify and aerate it as necessary, and cut it regularly with a sharp mower.

Is it a lawn disease?

Yes, it is, but don’t panic! Fusarium rarely does more than scar your lawn. Once the new growth starts coming through, it can repair itself. You can also speed recovery by reseeding Green Velvet Lawn Seed over the affected areas.

Was Fusarium in my turf when it was delivered?

We don’t harvest turf with active Fusarium, but it can develop if you leave the turf rolled up for too long. Lay the turf as soon as it arrives; if you can’t, unroll it and brush off the water droplets from the grass to reduce the risk of Fusarium.

Summary

Fusarium is a lawn disease caused by the conditions the turf is subject to. When you break the cycle of the circumstances causing it, it will disappear, allowing the lawn to repair itself with new growth. You can help your turf along with good lawn management and overseeding as needed. For more guidance, read our Ultimate Guide to Lawn Fungus & Disease.

LEATHERJACKETS

“The Fonz” loved a leather jacket, your lawn may not….

Leatherjacket grubs are the larvae of the European Crane Fly or Daddy Long Legs, as we all know them. They are legless grey/brown grubs without an obvious head or tail, and grow to a maximum length of just over an inch. Where do they live? Leatherjackets live in the soil beneath the turf. Adult leatherjackets typically hatch in July and August, laying their eggs within 24 hours. They remain underground for the winter, feeding on the lawn’s roots. This causes the greatest damage to the condition of your turf, before hatching the following year and flying away. What damage do they do? Leatherjackets love to feed on turf roots. This will limit how well new turf establishes and restrict its water and nutrient intake during winter. Animals and birds love to feed on leatherjackets, but to reach them, they have to scratch and turn over the turf, which can impact your turf’s performance and appearance. Can I get rid of them? Yes, there are a few solutions to remove leatherjackets.

• Apply nematodes – Apply these tiny worms to infected areas and water them into your lawn. They will source and kill the leatherjackets without damaging your lawn.
• Sweat them out – This involves watering the area and covering it with tarpaulin overnight. Weigh the tarpaulin down to block any light and force the jackets to the surface. You can then hand-remove them, or leave them for the birds.
• Aerate your soil – Leatherjackets prefer heavy, compacted soil. By regularly aerating your lawn, you loosen the soil, preventing leatherjackets and helping your turf’s overall health.
• Encourage birds – Birds are natural predators for leatherjackets, and will easily remove them from your lawn. If you have chickens, they’ll happily eat them too.
• Maintain your lawn – A healthy, resilient lawn is the best defence against leatherjacket invasions, helping prevent them from taking over.

Were they in my turf when it was delivered? No, we don’t deliver turf if there are active leatherjackets. Leatherjackets are mainly laid in or found in the soil under the lawn as the ground is prepared for turf.

Summary

Leatherjackets are always found in your garden, but do not cause much damage unless present in large numbers. Treating them is most effective when the grubs are in their young, soft form in autumn. Once removed, you can overseed the lawn to repair any damage using Green Velvet Lawn Seed.

RED THREAD

Is it Thread or dead…?

Red thread is one of the most common turf diseases in the UK. It is a fungal growth that isn’t harmful to your lawn’s long-term health, but it can be unsightly. What does it look like? Red thread appears as brown or pale pink patches across your lawn. Any dead-looking grass will often be matted together by the fungal growth on it. When you look closely at the growth, you will see either red needle-like threads coming from the end of the grass plant or pink fluffy coral-like growth. What causes it? Garden conditions often lead to fungal problems in a lawn. Red thread is most likely to occur when it is wet and humid, and the soil is low in fertility. This can also happen with overwatering in the summer, when, in an effort to keep the turf alive in hotter, drier conditions, you end up washing the nutrients out of the lawn, leaving it open to disease. Can I put anything on it? Yes! Our Envy Grass Fertiliser is a slow-releasing, nitrogen-enriched fertiliser that you can apply to your lawn to help address the nutrition deficiency. This will promote new green growth in your lawn and help fight the fungus. A lawn specialist could also apply a fungicide to your lawn, but you can get rid of red thread following the basics of good lawn care and management Is it a disease? Yes, it is, but don’t worry, if you fertilise your lawn and mow it regularly with a sharp blade, it can repair itself very quickly from red thread. Was red thread in my turf when it was delivered? No. We don’t harvest turf that has active red thread. It is a lawn disease resulting from the conditions the lawn is subject to once laid. In Conclusion… Red thread is an annoying disease that can make your lawn look unsightly due to nutrient deficiencies. Don’t worry, it can be repaired with good turf management and the application of a slow-release fertiliser with a high nitrogen content. Regular mowing can also help stimulate new growth. For more guidance, read our Ultimate Guide to Lawn Fungus & Disease.

TOADSTOOLS

You don’t need to be alarmed; it is just a Fun-guy.

You will often find small brown toadstools/mushrooms or fungi in freshly laid lawns if the turf has been laid in warmer conditions. The arrival of these toadstools in your new turf can be a worry for parents and pet owners, but the majority of lawn toadstools are perfectly harmless. What are they? Toadstools and mushrooms that appear on your lawn are most likely Brown Hay Cap toadstools. But many species can grow in your garden, and often are harmless. Is it a Toadstool or a Mushroom? There is no standard definition that experts agree on. Whatever you have growing in your new lawn, toadstool or mushroom, the treatment is likely to be the same. Why are they growing in my lawn? Microscopic bacteria and fungi are present in all soil types and feed on the excess root material under the lawn. This is a normal, natural process for your garden. Under certain conditions, the fungi can move into a reproductive phase, and this will cause the toadstools to flourish through your turf. Once the fungi’s food source is exhausted or conditions change, the toadstools will disappear and are unlikely to reappear. When do Toadstools appear? Fungi love warm and damp conditions. If air temperatures are higher and the sun is out, you will naturally water your lawn more. This creates the ideal moist microclimate, allowing the toadstools to grow, usually popping up a few days after laying the turf. Occasionally, the fungi can lie dormant over the cooler winter period, then flourish in the new lawn’s first spring as temperatures rise. How long do they last? Toadstools on your lawn last until the ground and atmospheric conditions have disappeared, or the food source has run out. Typically, this takes a couple of weeks, and sometimes a second, smaller bloom follows. Were there mushrooms in my turf when it was delivered? It is unlikely because mushroom spores are present in all soil types across the country. Since mushrooms don’t appear at the same time as your turf, it’s easy to think the turf is suffering when they do occur. But it is just nature doing what it does best, and the turf adjusting to its new home. Are they poisonous? Unless you’re a mycologist, it would be impossible to be certain if they are poisonous or not. As a precaution, it would be sensible to keep children and pets away from them so they can’t eat them. Can lawn mushrooms be treated? There isn’t anything a homeowner or landscaper can apply to a lawn in the UK to prevent toadstools, or once they have appeared. But there are many natural ways to remove mushrooms from your lawn. How can I get rid of them? Mushrooms on your lawn will disappear naturally, once the conditions that allowed them to spring up fade away. You can speed this up by mowing your lawn and removing the mushroom heads. Make sure you use a collection box to dispose of plant waste and clippings. Another tip is to use a stiff broom to knock the toadstools’ heads off. Both techniques will cause the mushrooms to dry out, shrink, and disappear. In Conclusion… Toadstools are a common, natural problem in new lawns. But they aren’t anything to worry about; they’re natural and will soon disappear. You can speed up the process by mowing the area, but mushrooms are only a short-term issue, so don’t panic too much! For more guidance, read our Ultimate Guide to Lawn Fungus & Disease, Why Are Mushrooms Appearing in My Freshly Laid Turf, and How to Remove Mushrooms from Your Lawn.