If you have experienced a lot of rain recently, you may have noticed the lawn has substantial puddles or has sat waterlogged for an extended period of time. This can be quite common in winter where there isn’t as much sunlight and warmth to help with evaporation. A lawn experiencing these conditions, combined with poor drainage, can develop a multitude of problems including fungal disease, weed infestation and even lead to your grass dying off. Here’s how to address the situation: Aeration First thing you can try is aeration. Aerating your lawn will help to improve permeability, allowing water to be absorbed better. If your drainage issue is quite severe though, regular aerating may not be enough to stop water from pooling. Topdressing If your soil base is compacted and has a high proportion of clay, regular aerating combined with topdressing will help to improve the soil profile and better allow for water absorption, but this should only be done during the warmer months of the year. It would also be advisable to spread gypsum which will help the water to seep down deeper. Thatch Removal Over time your lawn can develop a thick layer of thatch, dead organic matter, excessive roots, and stems within the profile of your grass. Dethatching prevents waterlog in your roots and allows proper drainage; this will help to prevent the risk of fungal issues. This too should only be addressed in the warmer months. Drainage If the problem continues to persist however even after only a light to moderate amount of rain, you will need to look at a more permanent solution to your drainage issues by installing some ag pipe, a French drain, or a drywell. If you are not sure how, best to consult with a drainage expert. If the problem has existed for some time, fungal disease related problems may have developed. Fungal related symptoms to look out for: • Coloured patches or rings in your lawn usually yellow, white or brown • Powdery coatings or threads on the grass blade surface • Thinned out areas, or areas of wet or slimy looking turf • Leaf blades with irregular discolouration or texture
Fungicide application If you have a particularly nasty fungal problem, along with treating the cause, it is recommended you apply a fungicide treatment. Fungicides kill fungi and the spores within the soil or plant and usually come in a liquid form. Mancozeb and Zaleton control a wide range of diseases and are available from your local garden centre or Bunnings store. If you are looking for a commercially available fungicide, options include products like Bumper and Banner Maxx. If you need help identifying and treating your particular issue you can contact us here at Lawn Solutions or get in touch with your local turf supplier or lawn maintenance contractor for some advice. Don’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube channel or visit the Lawn Solutions website for more helpful advice and lawn related products throughout the year.
