Hi. I laid my Sir Walter turf about 5 months ago now and its been going great, up until about to weeks ago. Ive noticed that approx 1/2 my lawn has started growing in an unusual way. Instead of growing up like the other 1/2, its started growing across its self.
Ill try to describe it as best a I can. As I said before it grows accross not up. some strands are up to 30cm long and approx every 2cm it sprouts 2 leaves and begins to grow new roots. Its made that section of my lawn look very lifeless as most of it is covered in these long stems with very few leaves an is not as green as th rest.
Its like when I havnt trimmed the edges for a while and stems start extending across the path and driveway, except now its happening in the middle of the lawn.
Is this something I need to do something about or is this normal and will sort itself out?
Any info would be greatly appreciated

If you can post a photo, we can be a lot more helpful.

__________________
Cheers, Richard

Has it had a fertilise or top dress the last few months?

__________________
Planned Landscape Constructions
www.plannedlandscape.com.au

Its just sending out runners. I dont think its a problem. It has occurred in mine.

__________________

Does it have stems coming up with little white/yellow looking seeds attached to it?

I'm not a lawn expert but from what I've seen of that Sir Walter stuff on a neighbours lawn it seems that it's far too aggressive for the standard yard and it wouldn't surprise me if it was strangling itself in a way.

I walk past this particular lawn every day on the way to the train station and initially it looked good. Nice, lush & green however within only a matter of months it had grown so fast and the owner hadn't kept it trimmed so it had grown all around the front pedestrian & driveway gates preveting them from opening ... seriously ! You could tell that someone had attempted to hack it all back a few times but it quickly regrew back around the gates within weeks and is still like it even now.

Same goes for the garden beds, it had and still is all over the nice clean soil molunds of the garden beds and is also sending massive runners across to the neighbouring lawns & gardens too. It was laid about 12 months ago and thanks to the home owner not keeping it under control by edging it it's now left only about half a foot of the concrete footpath exposed.

It's incredible stuff and seems to be a bit too ferocious for the standard QLD back (& front) yard so maybe your problem is a result of it not being able to stretch its legs enough ?

Dunno, but keep an eye on it. I've got visions of walking past this neighbouring house one day and seeing the whole house covered in Sir Walter with the tennants trying to escape from the window openings :)

Very 'Tiffid-esque' !

I just got an email back from the Sir Walter web site who I asked the same question. They suggested I check for signs of army worm.
After a very brief inspection of the affected area, I found many army worm droppings and even a couple of active worms.
So now that I know Ive got an army worm problem, whats the best way to get rid of them and keep them away.

There should be an insecticide or treatment you can use for them, cockchafer beatles could be another problem. Nurseries, garden yards, may stock something for it

__________________
Planned Landscape Constructions
www.plannedlandscape.com.au

whats the best way to get rid of them and keep them away.

I had a grub problem on my front lawn which is Sir Walter a few years back and used
Baythroid available at any Nursery or Bunnies apply with Watering Can easy!!

Had a similar problem with my wintergreen couch. Looks like it is growing straggly but upon closer inspection you can see that its just that all the leaves are chewed off and the stalks are all that remain. You can spray or throw down granular pesticide, kills em overnight. Its amazing how much damage can be done. My lawn was literally moving with them.

__________________
Jason

"People find me easy going once they see things my way."