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25 Oct 2011 by Tony Harling

Over the course of last season several patches developed on both the outfield and the square as per the attached picture. The patches are around the size of a football and despite attempting to repair them (spike, seed, topdress)they have returned. We are certain they are not due to leakages from machines and wondered if anyone can suggest what they are and how to treat them. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

25 Oct 2011 by Dave

Do they return in the same place or in different places Tony?

25 Oct 2011 by David Ember

Could be some kind of pest attack - maybe even rabbit or fox urine??

25 Oct 2011 by Tony Harling

Thank you, would a patch damaged by urine repair with scarify, tyne seed and topsoil?

25 Oct 2011 by Tony Harling

Dave they remain in the same place

25 Oct 2011 by David Ember

Hmmm - yes probably - unless the animal returns to the same spot as is their want.

Have they returned after grass has grown or would grass not grow?

26 Oct 2011 by Tony Harling

To Dave: I repaired about 20, 5 of which seem ok 5 the grass germinated and then withered the others did not respond at all.

26 Oct 2011 by Dave Last edited 26 Oct 2011

Tony,

Could be animal damage, could be that the ground has been poisoned. Do you see a flush of growth around the edges of the areas?

Do you have firework displays?

26 Oct 2011 by Martin Wythe

Is it local dry patch? Take a core out and see if the soil is hydrophobic.
It may need treating with wetting agent.

26 Oct 2011 by Tony Harling

How would we deal with a pest issue?

The whole area is damp rather than dry.

There is no obvious flush area around the damaged area.

27 Oct 2011 by mackay

Can surely only be chemical spillage then surely?.........

Are the spots totally random or is there any sort of linear(ish) pattern, say between the square and the shed or some such?

In any case, I think I'd be removing the soil from the affected areas to several inches deep and replacing it.

27 Oct 2011 by Pat Skires

Just trying to think of options.

Is that an area on the square?

The grass on that whole area looks a little sparse and not lush. What root structure / depth is there ?

What height was this area kept at over summer?

Are these areas slightly higher than surrounding areas?

Just wondering if they are high spots that have become heavily compacted and now have a fibrous layer that is not letting any water through ( as per Martin ).

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