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Yep, from the pictures it looks like there is bird activity another clear indicator....
Hi Michael,
I can see why the customer is worried! Without knowing more about the history of the lawn and having a close up inspection it's difficult to diagnose, but these are my first thoughts...
Assuming this is not disease related my first thought would be to dig a hole and see what's underneath it. Maybe do a pH test also.
There's something about the look of it that makes me think it's a relatively new lawn? Could there be a lot of builders' rubble under there with not much quality soil?
Another thought - That brick driveway looks lovely and weed free compared to mine at home. Is it possible some spray may have drifted onto the grass if it was sprayed this year?
Looks like some bird activity - ask the customer if they get lots of birds pecking or see a lot of dragon flies. Also dig around with a hand trowel to look for chafer grubs or leather jackets. They are most likely - they eat the rootzone hence being able to lift like a carpet.
Looks like a newish lawn - why was it replaced - often people have this problem and just put down a new lawn without addressing the grub problem underneath - just more food for the grubs.
If chafers, longer term problem will take 3 yrs to get them under control with an annual treatment. LJ's much easier.
Let us know re soil samples.
I agree with Daisy about the look of the (green!)grass - which appears very weak. Take out what has been mentioned above, which are definite possibilities, did the grass go like this "in 2 weeks" or "over the last 2 weeks"? If it was "in two weeks" and during a couple of really hot days, the grass could have scorched - note the green bits could have been shaded by the shrubs and house.
There has obviously been work going on (note new railings) - was the grass 'protected' with 8 x 4's or similar and left down too long? There seems to be a definite shape and a worn 'walk through' to the path.
About a year ago the drive was done and the railings also im told the lawn was replaced then 8-12 inches of soil was removed replaced then turfed it was over the lst 2 weeks it went so bad was just a small patch before
I don't disagree that there may be bird activity but it's just possible that those soil marks are work casts.
Yes could be many things, but with that level of damage, if grubs, a few soil samples will quickly find them or not. Or put down a black bin bag overnight and check under it in the morning (the grubs if present will surface). With the soil samples check the root zone for damage.
If not, then it could be scorching from fertiliser or over-dosing weed control, but then I'd expect there to be no weeds, but there are.
I think Grubs are the first point of elimination.
Agree with the easy elimination first: rule out chafer grubs - Did the dead patches start as separate patches and join up or did it grow from the middle outwards?
Can't see any browning - its either green or dead , nothing in between, which (sort of) rules out common fungal diseases
Looks more like drift to me...if its not weedkiller, do the owners use a jet wash? The pattern would match overspray - a heavy detergent could scorch or affect newish grass - especially fine grass like that...
Its a process of elimination really.....
Richard@Progreen
I'm with you, looks like someone's been washing the car on the drive and splashing the grass. I love a good mystery :)
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