Simple problems usually call for simple solutions, and so it is with
lawn problems. First though, we have to do an accurate diagnosis of what
the problem actually is.
This page will deal with the most common lawn problems that are not
caused by pest or disease. By lawn pest, we refer to insects or whatever
that are smaller than rodents, dogs and deer! So for
lawn pests - such as leatherjackets -
we have separate pages - as we do with lawn
diseases - a different matter altogether. Lawn diseases are of
course problems for the lawn, but here we deal with physical and animal
problems.
If you decide to ask us for help via email, please describe the
symptoms fully - and if possible, enclose a picture.
- Moss In Lawns - In terms of
visit, moss in lawns is the favourite! If you have it in your lawn
of course, then it will not be on favourites list. Moss in the lawn
is quite easily identified - however, there is another culprit that
often poses as moss in lawns - that of Pearlwort, which can look
like a 'coarse moss. Moss takes on several forms - much depending
upon the type of soil and the frequency and methods of you general
turf grass managaement.
- Brown Patches on Lawns
- After moss in the lawn, the all-descriptive broad ranging 'Brown
Patches on my Lawn' is next in line for the help box. A brown patch
on the lawn can be a spot, a large patch, a small patch or even a
long stripe! This page should help you determine the problem that
ius actually causing this lawn problem.
- Bumps in Lawns - All lawns
start life at a given level. Rarely do any parts rise up to form a
bump. However, over time many parts are liable to sink, so we end up
with hollows or depressions. In reality I suppose that the areas
that do not sink, can therefore be described as bumps. The treatment
though, is generally for the hollows and depressions.
- Toadstools in Lawns -
Where there are toadstools in the lawn, there is also decaying
matter below the surface - in 90% of the appearances of these
generally harmless fungi. That is not to say they are edible. We
talk of lawn toadstools rather than edible mushrooms! If they form
in rings - and in the summer as well as autumn and spring, they may
well be the fungi that cause
fairy rings so check that out as well.
- Thatch on Lawns - We are often
asked what thatch in the lawn looks like! If you have seen a cottage
with a thatched roof, then that is what lawn thatch looks like - but
generally under cover of the live green foliage of the lawn. It is
the cause of many diseases, and generally poor lawns - especially as
they get older.
- Dogs and Lawns - Dogs can cause
several problems on a lawn. The main one discussed is normally brown
patches caused by bitches. But male dogs can also pe the guilty
party in this respect. More likely a hidden problem of the dog
romping about on the lawn in all weathers, causing compaction. It is
much easier to let the dog do this in wet weather - rather than
taking it 'walkies'!
- Scratch holes in the lawn - often blamed upon the dog - or
neighbours dog or cat. The main culprit - in rural and urban areas -
is probably a fox. Foxes don't only eat chickens. They are very
partial to worms and other grubs under the lawn. To get them, they
need to scratch them out.
- Moles in the Lawn - Cute little
things which are not at all welcome!
- Holes in the lawn - Circular holes looking like it has been
spiked with the tine of a garden fork.. NOT a problem in itself. It
is probably starlings pecking into the soil to help with your
leatherjacket problem that you may or may not know that you have.
- Weeds in the lawn - a
bit of a problem to identify the actual weed, but most weeds in
lawns are dealt with by using a general LAWN weedkiller.
- Lawn Sickness - No specific illness, just a phrase that covers a
multitude of things, and generally materialising as a week pale
green or brown lawn. Simply follow our maintenance tips from the
Lawn care page as a first
means of defence.