We layed our turf 8 days ago and it's starting to die

Crstfa · Jan 20, 2020 8:13 pm

Hi all,

We layed our turf 9 days ago now and it has died off in certain sections. We are located in Penrith, NSW so we have been in a devout and it was in the 40's for the first 3-4days after we laid but we got lucky over the past few days as we have had pretty constant rain.

I have followed turf threads on here and did everything a user on here (Fu) advised.

Bit concerned now as I actually went above and beyond with the lawn and our neighbours just did the run of the mill 80/20 underlay and watered and they don't seem to of had the same problems as us. Although I probably didn't watch their lawns as closely as ours.

Please see pics attached.

Any advice appreciated.

Chris.
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alymei · Jan 20, 2020 8:16 pm

How much have you watered it?

Crstfa · Jan 20, 2020 8:19 pm

alymei

How much have you watered it?

I was watering when I get home around 3pm then again at about 7pm every day. I haven't had to water it for the past 3-4days though as we have had pretty constant rain.

alymei · Jan 20, 2020 8:28 pm

Water water water.

Maybe try Watering before work as well - its many hours between 7pm and 3pm. I would turn sprinkler on around 4/5am so it gets a good drink first up.

Even when raining, Id still water (unless its significantly pelting down).

Crstfa · Jan 20, 2020 8:31 pm

alymei

Water water water.

Maybe try Watering before work as well - its many hours between 7pm and 3pm. I would turn sprinkler on around 4/5am so it gets a good drink first up.

Even when raining, Id still water (unless its significantly pelting down).

We have had a significant amount of rain over the past few days so everything is pretty drenched. I think if I watered it I would be at risk of over watering.

Still regardless I don't think it should be growing off at this rate.

SaveH2O · Jan 20, 2020 8:52 pm

Did you lay the turf soon after you got it and then rolled it?

Crstfa · Jan 20, 2020 9:02 pm

SaveH2O

Did you lay the turf soon after you got it and then rolled it?

We layed the turf as soon as we got it. I got it directly from a turf farm to avoid it sitting around. It was nice and green when it arrived.

I did notice the amount of soil underneath was thin in some areas, to the point that there were more roots then soil. But only patches on a few rolls, nothing to get overly concerned about.

SaveH2O · Jan 20, 2020 9:45 pm

Hi. By "rolled", I mean did you use a roller to give the turf firm contact with the soil base? You always water reasonably heavily after it is rolled and regularly watered for the following 2 weeks.

Fu was a true expert, his absence is a great loss to the forum.

Crstfa · Jan 20, 2020 9:52 pm

SaveH2O

Hi. By "rolled", I mean did you use a roller to give the turf firm contact with the soil base? You always water reasonably heavily after it is rolled and regularly watered for the following 2 weeks.

Fu was a true expert, his absence is a great loss to the forum.

Yeh I will admit we didn't roll the turf, but would that cause it to die off like it has? Most of our neighbours diy'd there turf and they didn't use rollers.

I actually spent quiet a sum of money following Fu's steps with the organic compost, perlite, seasol, powerfeed, molasses etc which is above and beyond what any neighbour has done and it's turning out worse off.

I remember reading a post from FU saying a good watering after laying and the continued watering will flatten and compact the turf anyway.

In the last photo I pulled up a section under a completely dead strip and there is white shoots of grass and lots of bugs in the soil but the grass on top is completely dead. It's not dormant, it's completely dead.

SaveH2O · Jan 20, 2020 10:01 pm

Not rolling can create air pockets but your die off is extensive. It is terrible to see it like that, I can imagine how you feel.

Have you contacted the turf company to seek advice? Make sure that they understand that you are not complaining, just seeking a professional opinion as to cause. Maybe see them and take a soil sample with you.

TheG · Jan 14, 2021 2:11 am

SaveH2O

Hi. By "rolled", I mean did you use a roller to give the turf firm contact with the soil base? You always water reasonably heavily after it is rolled and regularly watered for the following 2 weeks.

Fu was a true expert, his absence is a great loss to the forum.

I have read a few of Fu’s wonderfully helpful posts and commenced a more soil focused approach to feeding our turf. Fu seemed to be a living encyclopaedia on these topics. But I’m curious as to why the posts stopped. Is it rude of me to ask why Fu is no longer on this forum? Apologies in advance if it is 😬

Splashers · Jan 14, 2021 7:08 pm

Looks like all the soil from the backing roots has been washed off, just water the Lawn gently and not spray hard at the grass. I noticed there seems to be no soil at all laying on top of grass which makes me think its been watered under pressure.

I would quickly top soil the lawn and fill the gaps & dry parts with soil and keep the soil moist, watering early morning and afternoon is best to give that 12 hour between waters but just use sprinkler or shower nozzle on hose don't spray down on lawn