Sir Walter - section dying

[TomDunreedy]

Hi all,

We have 40 sq metres of Sir Walter out the front and there's about 1 sq metre that has gone brown and looks basically dead ! The rest is fine.
Had anyone experienced a similar problem ? Or know how I can fix it ?
I have been watering the area every day and even put fertilizer down....still nothing. Will it take a while to get back up and green like the rest of the lawn ?
It even looks to my eye that it might be gradually spreading !

Thanks

[bsrlee]

What was there before? There could be a problem with old chemicals making the soil too alkaline or acid for the grass, or some other residual herbicide effect such as Eucalypts which release chemicals that inhibit undergrowth such as grass.

There are also fungal infections that cause 'fairy rings' - it starts off as a patch of dying grass which spreads and then gets a revived green center - you would have to wait to see if the middle comes back to life.

And the silly answer - jealous neighbor with a bottle of roundup - actually not so silly, it could be any little vandal, be thankful that it isn't spelling out some obscene message.

[TomDunreedy]

ha ha...nah I don't think it's vandalism.
Basically there was just dirt/soil and some weeds in place before we laid the grass, so the soil itself could be an issue, but the rest of the lawn seems fine...although it needs water every now and again.
I know it's hard for others to tell but was hoping there might be some quick-fix application...?

[patty]

mate I have sir walter and am a little dissapointed with it there are so many cotributing factors that could lead to this such as ph levels in soil and so on

in winter it is recommended to let it grow just a little longer than normal i live on a slope and have found that the only spots it keeps green in winter are on the edges near concrete where maybe the water sits and the concrete heats up the fertilizer they recommend also has me questioning it I threw some good ole Shirleys#17 on it in jan and it greened up to probably the best I have ever seen it especially when comparing it to the slow release they recommend

Also how old is the grass? is it newly laid and has the roots taken to the subsoil I did have a problem in an area where the ground was very hard and had to spread some clay breaker on that to get the grass to take off

And right now with all this cold weather it is brown and grey pretty well all over except the edges

[bitingmidge]

Lawn Grubs??

I learned today that Sir Walter doesn't much like the temperature below about 7°, but he'll bounce back once it warms up .

Apparently.

P

[rhancock]

Have you got a dog, or a unfriendly neighbour with a dog?
Is it in the shade?
What shape is the patch?
How long ago did you lay it?

Where's the pics?

Is it really dead, or just a bit more brown than green?

Does the turf come up wholesale when you tug it? Are the roots stuck to the ground?

Great marketing by Sir Walter, but haven't heard many good reports about it....

[TomDunreedy]

hi all,

thanks for the responses.

The area is fenced and there's no way a neighbouring dog can interfer with the lawn.
It was layed in October last year and has been going OK without being brilliant.
The area in question is immediately next to the gate which we use to access the yard - so perhaps the extra traffic has had an effect ?? I wouldn't think so as it's "meant" to be tough lawn and we don't trample on it all day every day.
The patch is oval in shape but it's not a perfect circle....
It's in partial shade, mostly sun.
Lawn grubs? yeah I have read they can infect the lawn...but the rest of the lawn looks ok...?
Yes! I have found the edges of the lawn (the sides up against brick/concrete) look the best!!

The question is - should i simply keep hitting it with fertiliser & water ? Or is the problem more serious ?

I do agree with the Winter theory - that Sir Walter struggles....perhaps I'm just being a little paranoid !

Thanks

[rhancock]

Firstly I'd say you shouldn't do much until the spring. Attempting to get a green lawn at this time of year is fighting against nature! If the roots are still solid ( the tug test) then fertilise and water. If not, dig it up and have a look underneath to see what the soil's like - you might need to dig up a bit and relace it, but be sure to over fill the hole and compact or it'll sink.

My preference would be to wait and see until about October.

[patty]

i totally agree with rhancocks view sir walter markets its product very well! It is like everything these days a Trendy Brand Is it just me or did more and more nurseries lansdcaping suppliers multiply by the thousands on the back of successful shows like Backyard Blitz, better homes and gardens and all the rest of it and are continually popping up, I remember years back when I was a kid and you would go to the hardware shop timber and fixings and the basics now they have everthing and anything I think companies like Bunnings and Co owe a` big debt of gratitude to these tv shows

[Planned LScape]

I would wait for a bit of warmth of spring too, and maybe a little top dress with some light or sandy soil to kick on the surrounding bits to spread

[bugsy]

Lawn grubs is right.

They chew the roots of the grass.
Confidor is your best friend.

[HappyHammer]

The area in question is immediately next to the gate which we use to access the yard - so perhaps the extra traffic has had an effect ?? I wouldn't think so as it's "meant" to be tough lawn and we don't trample on it all day every day.

I think it's wear, if it's where you come in and out of the front yard. Can you take a picture? When we had renos recently the builders stained the exterior timber on two horses on the lawn which killed a patch about 2m x 1m it has subsequently grown back and you can't tell there was ever a problem. I have noticed it can wear in traffic areas. Ours has worn very slightly at the pool gate which I'd guess sees less traffic than your front gate, especially at the moment.

As it is winter the growth has obviously slowed down, I'd give it until end of September and see if it has started to come back.

HH.

[rhancock]

Pics would be most useful. It sounds bit large and only in one area for lawn grubs. If it is lawn grubs, they'll go away again eventually. One organic solution is to encourage magpies, as they eat the grubs. YOu an scatter cooked rice on the lawn, which the magpies will come and eat and then also eat the grubs.

If its wear, then change the type of grass, same if its shade.

I'd still wait a while and see what happens. In the meantime, to keep you busy, TAKE SOME PHOTOS! )

[HappyHammer]

FWIW. Mine seems to do fine in part shade, I have areas that prolly only get 1-2 hours sunlight a day and they're fine.

HH.

[pbandfiona]

Like others I have this grass and we have been less than impressed by it. We have found that in winter since it is largely dormant it does not cope at all well with even moderate foot traffic - and if it is in the shade at that time too, then forget it.

That said, with good watering and some buffalo lawn fertiliser it tends to come back ok by summer time.

I am digging much of mine up and will replace it with some "old style" grass.

My guess, you have a patch of grass that gets more feet on it and in winter it is being trodden to death.

Cheers, all the best
PB