Take-all Patch Disease

Fortunately for gardeners Take all patch is not a very common lawn disease, as it can bequite devastating. The disease is very common on new sand based golf green constructions, where the root zone is still relatively sterile and has not had time to build up a population of micro organisms. The disease is usually most active between June and December and primarily attacks bent grass. Until recently there have been no effective chemical...

Read More

Red Thread Lawn Disease

Unlike many other lawn and turf diseases red hhread (Laetisaria fuciformis) is not limited to closely mown luxury lawns. It can infect all types of lawns and turf. However in almost all cases it is not as serious as some other lawn diseases and the turf will regain health with good management practices. Although it can be a problematic at various times of the year, it is predominantly seen during the summer and autumn months. Although...

Read More

Fusarium patch disease

Fusarium patch disease is the most common and one of the most damaging lawn and turf diseases. It predominantly occurs in the autumn and winter months between October & March, however it can strike at any time of the year especially if the conditions are favourable for fusarium. The disease is less of a problem on general purpose lawns, fusarium patch disease attacks closely mown luxury lawns that contains a high percentage of annual...

Read More

Lawn Disease

A lawn disease or turf disease is often defined as anything that has a negative effect on the grass plant. Lawn Disease, the majority of which are caused by fungi can attack all types of lawns and turf areas. Different diseases attack luxury lawns and other will attack utility lawns depending on the environmental factors and types of grass in the lawn. For a lawn disease to become active 3 factors must be present. Environmental factors...

Read More

Chafer Grubs in the lawn

Chafer Grubs are the larvae of the Chafer Beetle, which is also known as the May bug. It can often be seen during warm evenings in the early summer. Chafer grubs have many similarities to Leatherjackets, they feed on the grass roots, the damage caused it similar and they attract the same predators. Although not as common Leatherjackets, Chafer grubs can live in the soil for up to 3 years before they emerge on the surface as beetles. Chafer...

Read More

Leatherjackets in the lawn

Leatherjackets are the larvae of the European Crane Fly (Daddy Long Legs) and can cause major damage on the lawn if they are not effectively controlled. These small legless grubs which have no noticeable head, measure approximately 25mm long, are grey to brown in colour (see image to the right), and as their name suggests they have a leathery skin. Leatherjackets cause damage to the lawn by feeding on the roots of the grass. Further damage which...

Read More

Thatch in the lawn

What is lawn thatch Lawn thatch is a layer of organic matter that accumulates between the grass sward and the soil (see photo to the right). Thatch or organic matter is generally decaying plant stems, roots and runners. A small amount of lawn thatch (about 12mm) is beneficial to the lawn as it creates resilience and improves wear tolerance. However when the accumulation of thatch becomes too excessive (over 25mm) it creates problems, ultimately...

Read More

Starweed - Buckshorn Plantain

Plantago coronopus General - Starweed also widely known as  Buckshorn Plantain  is an annual or perennial weed, it is very common on sandy free draining coastal sites. This weed grows as a flat rosette type plant that can tolerate close mowing. Leaves - The leaves are long and thin with prominent toothed edges. They are generally hairy but can be occasionally smooth. Flowers - The small cylindrical flowers...

Read More

Ribwort Plantain

Plantago lanceolata General - Ribwort Plantain is a common perennial weed, it can be found in all types of turf and grassland. Like all Plantains they can adapt to tolerate close mowing. This weed is also known as Narrow Leaf Plantain. Leaves - The leaves are long and narrow with prominent ribs or veins. The leaves grow from a single point and form a flat rosette. Flowers - The short flowers are bourn on a long stalk, flowering between April...

Read More

Greater Plantain

Plantago major General - Greater Plantain is a perennial weed, it is a rosette type weed very common on compacted soils and is often a good indication of lawns suffering from compaction. This low growing weed can tolerate close mowing and reproduces by seed. Leaves - The large broad oval leaves have prominent parallel ribs, the leaves all grow from a single point and form a flat rosette. Flowers - Bourn on a single stem...

Read More

Scarlet Pimpernel

General Information: Scarlet Pimpernel also known as 'Poor Man's Weatherglass' is an annual weed. The leaves are very similar to those of Common Chickweed. However this weed can be identified by its square stems and red flowers (Common chickweed stems are round and the flower is white). Scarlet Pimpernel is not a weed found in fine turf, is confined to neglected lawns, bare areas and waste ground. Leaf: As previously...

Read More

Black Medic

Medicago lupulina General Information: Black Medic can be both an annual and perennial weed. It is very similar in appearance to Lesser Trefoil (Yellow Suckling Clover), however Black Medic is less common than Lesser Trefoil, especially on fine turf as it is usually confined to neglected lawns. The main difference and the best way to distinguish between the two weeds, is that the seed pods turn ...

Read More

Smooth Hawksbeard

Crepis capillaris General - Smooth Hawksbeard can be an annual or biennial. It is not normally a problem on mown lawns and turf but can occasionally be a problem during dry periods. The weed forms as a rosette type weed with a deep taproot. Leaves - The leaves are similar to those of dandelion but are smaller in size. The leaf is narrow with deeply toothed lobes. Flower - Smooth Hawksbeard flowers are very...

Read More

Bristly-ox Tongue

Picris echioides General Information: Bristly ox-tongue is a dandelion type weed which is both annual and biennial. It is not often found  in well maintained lawns, it is more confined to general purpose and neglected lawns. The weed forms as a basal plant and will adapt to tolerate close mowing if needed. However it can reach a height of 1 metre if left alone and allowed to grow. Leaf: Bristly ox-tongue...

Read More

Cats Ear

Hypochaeris radicata General - Cats Ear has a perennial lifecycle and is a problem weed on all types of lawn. It grows in a prostate rosette type appearance and will quite happily tolerate close mowing. Cats Ear has some similarities with the Dandelion in its appearance. However the leaves on Cats Ear are hairy and the lobes are more rounded. Leaves - The lance shaped leaves are hairy and irregularly lobed. They form in a rosette appearance. Flowers...

Read More

Autumn Hawkbit

Leontodon autumnalis General - Autumn Hawkbit is a perennial weed that grows in a rosette formation, it is generally not a serious problem on mown lawns and turf. It is more common in longer grass such as roadside verges and meadows. Leaves - The leaves are very narrow with deep lobes, however the leaves can vary between plants and can sometimes be confused with those of Cats Ear. Flowers - Autumn Hawkbit flowers are similar to those of Dandelion...

Read More