Palmetto Turf Problem

[Absorb]

Hi All - Hope someone can help me with my turf problem.

I have never laid turf before and just done completely around my house with Palmetto turf, supposedly similar to Sir Walter. Big job putting it all in and it was an "all family on deck" event.

I put down about 4 to 5 cm of good topsoil and sprinkled ground dynamic lifter before turfing. With a lot of watering and a couple of weeks it was growing very well.

I notice now that there are sections where the grass is browning and there is not much depth - not all, seems to be general thinning in areas - other areas are prolific and deep.

I have a suspicion it may have something to do with the fill I used in sections before (not the topsoil). I noticed that areas where I did not use fill the turf is growing well and totally plush and green. Areas where I did use the fill is having this problem.

Is it possibly an alkalinity problem, and if so is it possible to treat after the turf is already down?

Could it be the fill I used is totally sterile and the turf is struggling to keep prolific?

I have tried watering in fertiliser and it had a great effect on the areas where there was no fill.

Any help would be really appreciated.

Regards
Paul

[stevoh741]

could be lawn grub. I recently layed sir walter and lawn grub just about decimated half of it before i realised it was them. It wont hurt to treat for lawn grub but if it is them and you leave it they will destroy it. I just got a granular shaker from green shed and sprinkeled it (double recommended dose). That was 2 weeks ago and it is coming back to its former glory quite quickly now. Another 2 weeks should be good as new. If I were you I'd go out tonight to buy the poison and hit them tomorrow as they eat super quick!

[ringtail]

Bunnings sell a product called scotts lawn builder and grub control - red bag - $ 18. Get a spreader and go nuts. If you dont have the bloody grub at least it will feed the lawn.

Hey steve, treat again with the scotts as the life cycle is about 2 weeks and you could get another batch of grub hatching about now. Ive been waging war on the buggers for about 5 years now

[stevoh741]

cheers ringtail. I was worried about it just coming good then getting smashed again. I'll try the scotts this time - could prob do with a feed anyway. How'd the fishing go?

[ringtail]

Aint been yet. Going to Straddy for 3 weeks in February. Absolutely hanging out for it. Works dead ATM as you would expect, my timber supplier doesnt open until the 9th so its XBox time and odd jobs around the house.

[stevoh741]

I know what u mean, I've put on 5kg from saucing too much....

[ringtail]

I switch to the lights when the work load is light:D:D

[Absorb]

Been researching lawn grubs and they seem to totally kill off areas of grass - Mine seems to be individual strands.

Could be the early stages of grubs but also looks like some grass strands are simply not getting enough water and fertiliser - I definately give enough water and fertiliser (not too much)

http://www.renovateforum.com/attachments/f82/87714-palmetto-turf-problem-p1080001.jpg

This is what other sections look like ...
http://www.renovateforum.com/attachments/f82/87715-palmetto-turf-problem-p1080003.jpg

[ringtail]

It sort of looks like its burnt. Got dog/s ?

[stevoh741]

take the photos to where you bought the turf and ask them. I'd still treat it for grub as it won't hurt and this is the time of the year they are active.