Dying New Turf? Please Help

Sean2012 · Post by **Sean2012** » Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:57 pm

Hi all,
This is the 1st time I have had a garden so just a novice.

Had my garden levelled and returfed 3 days ago but wasnt happy with the turf the contractor used (from B&Q) as you can see in poc 1 it had quite a few brown patches the day it was laid.

3 days on and watering it twice a day (using an oscillating sprinkler) for about 1.5 each time (I make sure the lawn isn't flooded) the lawn has more brown patches (see pic 2 as of day 3) or dying.

The contractor won't answer his phone now.

Can anyone please suggest what can be done to male it look greener.

Rorschach · Post by **Rorschach** » Tue Jul 30, 2019 5:10 am

Give it a chance, this is about the worst time of year for laying turf, it is really going to struggle with the sun and heat. keep watering and let it recover.

London mike 61 · Post by **London mike 61** » Tue Jul 30, 2019 7:12 am

If you laid turf in the spring or autumn ( the right time to do it ) you would have to water the turf for up to two weeks to get it established. This time of year it will take longer because the roots on average go down about three to four inches when turf is established.
Just keep up the watering routine and don’t worry about flooding the lawn, you won’t do any damage and it will help the turf roots.

Mike

Sean2012 · Post by **Sean2012** » Tue Jul 30, 2019 7:18 am

Rorschach wrote: ↑Tue Jul 30, 2019 5:10 am Give it a chance, this is about the worst time of year for laying turf, it is really going to struggle with the sun and heat. keep watering and let it recover.

I did ask the contractor If i should wait till like autumn but he said it doesn't really matter, should have realized that he just needs to make his money.

Thanks for the reassurance

Sean2012 · Post by **Sean2012** » Tue Jul 30, 2019 7:18 am

London mike 61 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 30, 2019 7:12 am If you laid turf in the spring or autumn ( the right time to do it ) you would have to water the turf for up to two weeks to get it established. This time of year it will take longer because the roots on average go down about three to four inches when turf is established.
Just keep up the watering routine and don’t worry about flooding the lawn, you won’t do any damage and it will help the turf roots.

Mike

Thanks for the reassurance Mike

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Jul 30, 2019 7:52 am

A lawn feed might help stimulate growth, that and watering. It will come good in September when grass has a little growth spurt. At the minute the roots have not grown and are only in the turf. During winter the grass roots will take hold in the substrate lawn bed, which I hope they tilled over to promote growth. Worse case you can replace a few turfs if they die back. B&Q is not he best place to buy turf though.

DWD

Sean2012 · Post by **Sean2012** » Tue Jul 30, 2019 7:59 am

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Tue Jul 30, 2019 7:52 am A lawn feed might help stimulate growth, that and watering. It will come good in September when grass has a little growth spurt. At the minute the roots have not grown and are only in the turf. During winter the grass roots will take hold in the substrate lawn bed, which I hope they tilled over to promote growth. Worse case you can replace a few turfs if they die back. B&Q is not he best place to buy turf though.

DWD

Yeah, I read up on the B&Q turf reviews and it was mostly the case of dried turf being delivered. Just watered the lawn this morn n noticed little green sprouts in between the brown patches, is that growth from the turf itself or do you think the turf is being rooted into the soil??

yartin · Post by **yartin** » Tue Jul 30, 2019 10:44 am

Unless turf was laid on concrete/slabs, you will be fine with time.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Jul 30, 2019 10:48 am

Grass self sows to a certain extent, you can sprinkle a bit of grass seed to help the dry areas. It will take a season at least for the roots to go down. Grass tends to go yellow when it has dried but that does not mean the roots are dead and they recover with water, summer warmth and a bit of feed. Be patient, it will come good.

DWD

Sean2012 · Post by **Sean2012** » Tue Jul 30, 2019 11:47 am

Thanks for the replies. On another note how do I get rid of dead fallen leaves on the new turf. Is it safe to use a rake?

London mike 61 · Post by **London mike 61** » Tue Jul 30, 2019 12:48 pm

If you have got one , use a proper lawn rake or a stiff broom.
Just one small thing about turf this time of year, when the turf does start to grow don’t set the mower blades too low. Try and keep the grass about 30mm - 40mm long so that the turf isn’t stressed by too much heat and it will also discourage moss developing on bald bits of soil. This may mean you have to mow a bit more often but the area will look lush and green.

Mike

Sean2012 · Post by **Sean2012** » Tue Jul 30, 2019 1:10 pm

Thanks for the advice Mike.

OchAye · Post by **OchAye** » Tue Jul 30, 2019 6:26 pm

When you water you need to put down a couple of inches of water (put a jar down and see when it collects as much water). The idea is to get the water to go below the roots so the roots grow downwards looking for the water. Don't just sprinkle the top

It will be all right

Sean2012 · Post by **Sean2012** » Thu Aug 01, 2019 9:52 am

OchAye wrote: ↑Tue Jul 30, 2019 6:26 pm When you water you need to put down a couple of inches of water (put a jar down and see when it collects as much water). The idea is to get the water to go below the roots so the roots grow downwards looking for the water. Don't just sprinkle the top It will be all right

That is a really good idea, as its quite difficult to tell how much has been watered.

Sean2012 · Post by **Sean2012** » Thu Aug 01, 2019 9:55 am

Seems a tad bit better than before