How to revive new turf?

[rhod_]

Hi Workshop Peeps,

We laid some new turf down about 3 weeks ago. 

It has had constant watering and some natural watering as it has started the storm season here in QLD. 

One half of the lawn is looking, nice, dense, dark and healthy but the other half has started to look paler and not fairing so well. 

Both halves have had equal care applied to it. 

The unhealthy half has started to brown, the tips are dying and looking like it's not taking very well. 

I have attached a photo. Someone has mentioned to me it might be the work of lawn grubs, we did pick a few out when it was delivered that looked similar to Army Grubs. 

It also gets a bit more sun as the side closer to the house gets more shade but doubt that would be the issue. 

Looking for help.

Thank you

[jsmith11]

Hi Rhod.

It’s a bit hard to tell from the photos.. but is that area a low spot where water tends to accumulate or possibly not drain as well? Is there also good sandy soil under it?

[EricL]

Hello @rhod_ 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your lawn.

It's possible that the soil is running low on nutrients, I propose using Seasol 2 x 2L Ready To Use Lawn Fertiliser to revitalize the fading section. 

Here are some handy guides that will help you maintain your lawn:

• How to detect lawn problems by @Adam_W 
   
• How to repair a lawn by @Adam_W 
   
• How do you kill lawn grubs?
   
• What are your tips for keeping your lawn healthy?
   
• How to take care of your lawn.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[EricL]

Hello @jsmith11 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us.

In order to tag a member in the community please make sure to put the "@" symbol in front of the member's name. This will send the member a notification that someone is sending them a message. Let me tag @rhod_ to make them aware of your question.

We're keen to hear more about all your projects and plans around the house and garden. Please feel free to reach out whenever you need assistance or would like to share a project with the community.

Eric

[rhod_]

Hey @jsmith11,

Yes you're right, I am standing at a high point of the yard. from left to right it does slope down from where I'm standing. 

So there is a chance it might start to pool at the bottom where the grass meets the driveway. 

But for the rest of the yard it wouldn't be as wet and seems to be 'creeping' up hill as well.

I wouldn't say sandy, it was a premium underturf soil we had prepped, so not 100% sure of the sand ratio to that soil.

I've added a photo that my phone was level to show you the angle.

Thanks

[rhod_]

Thanks @EricL ,

I was just reading How to repair a lawn from another post. 

I think i'll be picking up some of that Seasol tomorrow. 

The Gardent centre said we wouldn't need to fertalise for 6 months after the lawn was laid but everything I've read says after your first mow. 

Thanks

[jsmith11]

@rhod_ the brown leaf could be fungus, or a sign off too much or too little water. It looks like water might tend to ‘pool’ or saturate there, so possibly the latter. Water running down the footpath might even hit the driveway and saturate the ground there. Turf dislikes being constantly damp, particularly overnight if the weather is warm, this will cause fungus and rot. It’s always better to water first thing in the morning rather than afternoon/evening than having a damp lawn overnight (FYI).

Has your lawn attached to the ground yet and have you been watering twice daily so far? I agree some seasol, non fertilised version would help with the stress and recommend you review the amount and timing of irrigation and probably dial it down now the grass is generally looking ok. It’s still really early, so it could be a range of potential issues and it may be upset for a while. Irrigate early in the morning 2-3 per week now and if you have a really hot day, irrigate it briefly for a few mins in the early afternoon to take the heat off.

[jsmith11]

Ask your turf installer if they used a fertiliser and how long it will last. If they did use one, hitting it with more could cause problems at this early stage

[rhod_]

Thanks @jsmith11 

Thanks for all the info.

Maybe with the falls and how it lays, it all comes down from the house towards the footpath, so maybe it is getting the water that is come down from the house as well. But seems odd it's on foothpath side almost all the way up. 

I definitely try to water in the morning or mid-afternoon say around 3:30 when there is still sun light to dry it up before night. 

Yes, the grass has definitely taken to the soil we've pulled some parts up at the edges when doing the garden bed and growing pretty well.

I have sprayed it with the Seasol, so will see how it goes over the following couple of days. 

Also placed a wet towel overnight to see if any lawn grubs appeared, but nothing come to the surface, so hoping it's not that.

I'll shoot for some early morning watering for now and see how we go. 

Thanks for the time to reply and share, appreciate it.