Question From:
carol clements in currambine, perth WA
Nature of problem:
velvetine lawn
Type of Plant (if known):
velvetine grass
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
every year when first few days of sunshine lawn goes bluey haze color then turns brown dies off and it smells like hay smell?
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
sandy
How often do you water the plant:
Mon/fri
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
5
What type of plant is it:
grass
How long since you planted it:
3 years ago turf
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
seasol once a year baileys
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
outdoors
Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
ground
What other treatments have you given the plant:
clay, wettasoil. mycozeb plus
Upload photo if available:
IMG_20151117_084936951.jpg
Other Comments:
I’ve tried everything and followed expert advice I’ve been told to rip it out but I wanted grass for when my grandchildren visit but its all brow and dead I have arthritis so cost of velvetine was less expensive than sir Walter my son has but its worlds apart I could cry I can’t afford to remove and put in sir Walter please can you help me
Answer: Hi Carol, I have no doubt that the issue is a water-repellant soil. The grass Velvetine is a WA variety and I have never tested it. I strongly recommend that you get a local lawn company out to check it all out. My gut feeling is that aerating the lawn thoroughly and then using wetting agents and LOTS of water is the go. But I have no idea if the dead bits will recover. My feeling is that they won’t. Good luck, Don
