Trouble with newly laid lawn

Laid a new lawn for somebody about 4 months ago and it's really struggling to be honest and I don't know why as this has never happened before.

We lifted the old lawn and then rotavated the ground,there was plenty of what appeared to be good top soil in situ so brought in rolls of quality turf from a trusted local supplier. I gave the client instructions to give it plenty of water and to only start mowing it lightly once it had become established. A few weeks later they sent me images of the lawn looking dry,brown and worse for wear. From what the client explained to me I realized he'd hit it hard with the mower so I advised them to ease right off with the mowing and to keep it watered regularly as it was a dry spring.

I didn't hear anything until a couple of days ago when they sent me some more pictures of the lawn looking in even worse shape. Please see images below. They have assured me the lawn has been watered regularly and I have no reason to not believe this is the case but I've never had an issue like this before. I can't help feeling the lawn hasn't recovered since being stressed out after being butchered down in it's infancy? What else might it be? Disease perhaps?

Can this be rectified do you think ?

Thanks

100% lack of water, the shrinking of turf and colour I would say there either only watering for 5 min just dampening the top and i would think watering at the wrong time of day with the really hot spells we have had in evenings as well.

if it was down to any bad laying then there would on average be at least 1 section of the lawn which would take ok and be lush but this is just over cut under watered and might need to be pulled up and new turf laid.

tell them to leave there sprinkler on over night and turn off in the morning for 5 days and you will know if you need to re do the job after that (if you have rain due then cut that to night on night night off, just looked at my met app and there is a little rain due for a change where we are)

Replies

PRO

Harry@VWGS July 13, 2017 at 9:07pm

Definitely looks cut short to me, also the only time I've ever seen the lines in a lawn where the turfs have separated is due to lack of watering or bad prep and laying, from what you have said you have correctly laid and prepared the new lawn, unfortunately a clients attempt at watering a lot of the time is completely different to ours..
Andrew Michael Palmer July 13, 2017 at 9:31pm

A) This looks to have all the tell tale signs of dead turf due to probably under watering.

B) Can i ask why the turf wasnt laid with a resess at each end ( I dont think this is the correct term) like laying bricks, each end looks as if its laid together, i never lay turf like this.
- PRO
  
  Harry@VWGS > Andrew Michael Palmer July 13, 2017 at 9:40pm
  
  On small lawns I've used both methods and it's made no real difference as long as it's all butted up correctly with no gaps.
- PRO
  
  Richard Gadsby > Andrew Michael Palmer July 13, 2017 at 10:00pm
  
  Part b? Why would that make any difference at all?
  - This reply was deleted.
    - PRO
      
      Richard Gadsby > Andrew Michael Palmer July 13, 2017 at 10:31pm
      
      Sorry John was meaning Andrews reply re how it's laid without a brickwork effect!!
      - PRO
        
        Richard Gadsby > Richard Gadsby July 13, 2017 at 10:35pm
        
        To add to your watering comment. A lot of clients seem to think 5 minutes with the sprinkler is "plenty" of water could this be the case here?
        When mine needs doing I leave the water on all night! But excessive maybe but lawn likes it:)
David Benson July 13, 2017 at 10:47pm

was the tarmac as pristine when you laid the turf as it looks in the photo they might have used chemicals to clean the drive and splashed it onto the turf but it looks like lack of watering and cut too short if you can have a look at it lift a bit of the turf up to make shore nothing is eating the roots and see how dry it is underneath but you might have to bight the bullet and relay
PRO

Steven Mills July 14, 2017 at 6:27am

OK - Thanks for the replies so far.I've told the client I suspect it's down to cutting too short and lack of water. I'll probably take a closer look at the weekend to see what the real extent of the damage is .
PRO

Neal Barker @ Etesia uk July 14, 2017 at 2:17pm

100% lack of water, the shrinking of turf and colour I would say there either only watering for 5 min just dampening the top and i would think watering at the wrong time of day with the really hot spells we have had in evenings as well.

if it was down to any bad laying then there would on average be at least 1 section of the lawn which would take ok and be lush but this is just over cut under watered and might need to be pulled up and new turf laid.

tell them to leave there sprinkler on over night and turn off in the morning for 5 days and you will know if you need to re do the job after that (if you have rain due then cut that to night on night night off, just looked at my met app and there is a little rain due for a change where we are)
- Chris Roberts > Neal Barker @ Etesia uk July 14, 2017 at 4:38pm
  
  I Agree Neil total lack of water. New turf needs loads of watering in especially in this climate if your down south.. It's going to take time to recover but get the watering started and give it a feed too.