Red thread is probably the most common turf disease, prevalent in warm, moist conditions and on fine fescue grasses.  The disease causes straw like patches on the grass sward and in severe cases red/pink cotton like flocks can be seen.  In severe cases a fungicide may be recommended to treat the current outbreak but usually good fertilisation helps to clear the problem.

Dry patch is a lawn disorder that appears during or after a dry period.  The affected area becomes brown with hard dry soil, the grass often looks dead.  The soil has become hydrophobic, meaning it repels water and in turn starves the grass roots of water.  Without intervention the grass may not recover.  An Aeration and a Water Retainer Wetting Agent is required.

Rust is usually quite easy to spot.  If the lawn hasn’t been cut for a while you will see the longer leaves beginning to yellow and looking generally unhealthy.  At a closer look you may notice the surrounding leaves may have orangey fungal spots (pustules) along the grass blade.  It may also have a rusty orange powder coating.  This rusty powder is the fungal spores.

Rust tends to effect the grass plants between early Summer and Autumn, but may appear anytime if conditions are favourable.

Regular Lawn Mowing normally prevents any major problems with rust.  Rust can be treated with a fungicide if required.

Chafer Grubs are the larvae stage of the Chafer Beetle (May Bug)

The Larvae feed on the grass roots, completely detaching the turf from the soil.  The real damage occurs from animals/birds digging or ripping up the loose turf to feed on the Chafer Grubs.  Some Chafer Grubs can have a 3 year life cycle but most have a 1 year life cycle.

An infestation is usually highlighted by patches of discoloured, yellowing grass.  Bird activity may increase.  Serious damage occurs when animals or larger birds find them.

The optimal time for a treatment to control the numbers is July to early October when the soil is warm and moist and the Chafer Grubs are young.  A Nematode application is recommended.  Spiking or Aeration is also recommended to increase the effectiveness of the Nematodes.

This disease usually appears as dull brown patches, often surrounded by white/grey cotton wool like flocks.

Fusarium, is very common where snow has been lying on lawns hence the name (snow mould).  It also appears where obstacles, toys and leaves etc have been left on the grass when conditions are right.  We do offer a Leaf Clearing and Snow Clearing Service.

Regular Lawn Treatments and Lawn Mowing normally help to prevent Fusarium but in severe cases a fungicide can be applied.

Our Autumn treatment is higher in potassium (K).  Potassium hardens the turf and its immune system, ready for the winter period.

Leather Jackets are the larvae stage of the European Crane Fly (or Daddy Long Legs).

The larvae cause damage to the lawns by feeding on the roots of the grass plants, most of the time working inwards from the edge or sides.  Any additional stresses to the lawn from drought or water logging will only add to their damage, in severe cases completely stripping the lawn.

Their one year life cycle starts around September when the female Crane Fly lays her eggs in the lawn.  This is the most effective time window to apply preventative treatment.  As the larvae mature their damage to the grass roots increase.  By March/April they are fully grown and treatments are not successful.  During May/June the larvae pupate giving the lawn a chance to recover.  The Crane Fly hatch out late July – September and so the process starts again.  Timing can differ with environmental influences. 

The treatment available are Nematodes to control the Leather Jackets, preferably applied around Sept/Oct to wet/warm ground.