Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Feb 28, 2013 7:42 pm Hey guys! So I have had my empire zoysia down for just shy of a year. It has been generally trouble free, grows like crazy and looks great. Just this last month however I have noticed quite a few patches which appear to be slighter darker than the rest and the turf doesn't seem to grow. It's not dead or anything but it looks out of place and just isn't growing. Very wierd. My only idea is that it needs a fertilize (it's been a couple months) Any ideas what's going on? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 2Feb 28, 2013 10:48 pm Fertilising isn't the answer. Could be a few things firstly could be dry compacted spots that water can't penetrate very well. Poke the areas with a screw driver when the soil is dry not damp after rain irrigation etc. Secondly animal urine from, dogs, cats, possums etc.. Not just pets. Thirdly it could be a fungal disease which fertlising makes way worse. Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 3Mar 01, 2013 7:54 am Well it's definately not water. The worst affected area is actually really soaked and holds water longer than everywhere else. I don't own any pets and no dogs or anything are allowed so that's out. Guess that means the likely cause is a fungal disease of some sort. Should I just wait it out and see how it goes then? Thanks for your reply. Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 4Mar 01, 2013 8:29 am Ok just checking the water situation, we have waterlogged soil often down here and its still possible to have dry spots. If you think it is fungal don't water at night, definately no fertiliser (funge love nitrogen), get a garden fork into the areas to aerate it. Then wait if it gets better beauty, if not maybe an eco fungicide depending on how bad it gets. But really its probably something like brown patch which stops when the ideal growing conditions for it goes away (i.e. hot, humid,wet). Should note it could also be pests, grab a handful of the grass in the affected areas, if it just peels off like it has been cut at the roots then it could be grubs. Doesnt look like that though. Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 5Mar 08, 2013 10:41 am Good advice Especially about the fert. Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 6Mar 08, 2013 8:53 pm If that were my lawn, I'd apply molasses dissolved in water a little more in those spots with some seaweed solution as well. (you are doing that already but concentrate on those spots a little more) Apply some zeolite in those spots. Easily available from popular hardware outlets as a pool filter product. Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 7Mar 18, 2013 8:01 am Thanks for your input Fu! Yeah I did molasses/seasol/powerfeed a couple weeks ago. I also aerated the bad patches - though I forgot about my reticulation pipes and accidentally punctured a hose:( Had to dig a square up and fix it but all good now. Unfortunately the patches look the same, if not worse in one area. I have noticed in the bad area that there is dead lawn in those patches which is easily pulling out. I will do another run with the molasses/seasol/powerfeed on those patches this weekend. I will also look at buying some more zeolite. Note that this lawn is pure Fu spec, did the soil properly and only ever used molasses, seasol, powerfeed and wetting agent. Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 8Mar 23, 2013 2:07 pm Hey guys! Just thought I would update here - Fu is pretty sure it is fungal and recommended an organic fungicide called Potassium Bicarbonate. Just picked some up from Bunnings today and it's called eco-fungicide and is BFA certified. Will use it over the weekend and see how we go. Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 9Mar 23, 2013 9:14 pm Only recommend that after using far cheaper alternatives. Things that are readily available around the house. Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 10Apr 17, 2013 2:31 pm Unfortunately I do not know if I was too late with the anti-fungal or what, but those patches are now all dead lawn:( Do you think it will regrow? Should I scalp the lawn to encourage new growth - maybe not the best idea coming into winter though:/ Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 11Apr 18, 2013 9:16 pm It's fine, just take some samples from the healthy areas and plant into the dead areas. Add some zeolite to the yuck area, plant and finish off with a light top dress over the yuck area with a compost/soil improver. Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 12Apr 18, 2013 9:17 pm It's important to understand these problems occur in almost any lawn. Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 13Apr 18, 2013 9:18 pm I recall one lawn where no matter what I tried was working. Turned out the lawn mowing contractor who was a part of the care programme was ignoring my advice and applying pesticides, nutrient heavy fertilisers etc. I suspected it and caught him in the act. Problem solved shortly after. Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 15Apr 29, 2013 7:23 am Well unfortunately it turns out I have lawn grub. I didn't weigh the signs sufficiently and I should have acted much earlier. Anyone with similar lawn issues don't hesitate to consider it could be lawn grub! Now to work out the best treatment. Seems the best non-chemical options are Nematodes or watering the lawn with degradable detergent to force them to the surface so the birds can eat them. Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 16May 04, 2013 10:27 am Well I may have to eat my words. I am not sure if its lawn grub now or not. I thought it was due to several reasons - birds pecking in the lawn, little balls of soil on the lawn, found a grub on our driveway etc. I dug up a small 30cm square patch of lawn but it was difficult to remove and I understand it would normally just peel up. Soil seemed healthy despite the lawn. I have been finding small mounds of balls of soil on the surface, can anyone tell me what these are: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This is what my lawn looks like now: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The area along the right hand side next to the house does not get any direct sun now that we are well into autumn, which is why I think it is doing so poorly: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This is a closer photo of the main area of the lawn which is still getting plenty of sun: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Overall I think the lawn may be improved a bit, apart from the area next to the house. Can anyone help me with my queries and with this extra info provide any insight? I Appreciate your time! Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 17May 04, 2013 11:33 am Keen to see your thoughts on this one.... Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 18May 04, 2013 7:55 pm First photo looks like worm castings, nothing to worry about... its good in fact, apart from the tiny mess. Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 19Aug 28, 2013 10:02 pm Interesting thread. I'm curious to know how it went over winter and if it's springing back now with the days getting more sunny. Re: One of those 'whats going on with my EZ' turf threads 20Feb 11, 2014 7:26 pm Yeah I just posted a new thread and had a look back at this one. The lawn completely recovered from those patches - though the shaded area I actually replaced with same spare lawn. It was starting to re-grow when I replaced it but it had died off more or less completely. *However* I am now getting the same thing again this year as I did last year - even at the exact same time! (end of summer) Still do not know what is actually going on. Hi I am wanting some opinions about the build of a steel shed I am going to get one about 4.5 x 2.5 m steel shed and the height will be about 2.3-2.4m high The one I am… 0 14442 https://form.jotform.com/240284569218058 Please spare a moment to fill out this survey form for a project. You stand a chance to win a digital gift voucher. Legitimate… 0 2822 I would never build with Fowler homes. I built with them in 2021 and till date maintenance issues are pending. All their existing trades and businesses don't work with… 14 105544 |