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Q: I had a new lawn laid in September. It looked lovely all winter, but now as it has started to grow 4 or 5 very dark green or grey patches have appeared. I lifted a small section and underneath I found some grey mould with a very strong smell like mushrooms. What is this and how do I treat it before it ruins my lawn. Thanks for any help you can give, Mrs JK
A: The dark green patches of lawn could be a number of things, but I suspect its where the soil beneath is more nutritious than other areas. The grey patches most likely are winter damage which could have resulted from fusarium or similar fungal diseases. These were particularly prevalent this winter as a layer of snow encourages their spread beneath. A feeding will usually get rid of it, but you may have to overseed by using a spring rake, scratch area of surface and apply seed. As for the grey mould beneath the turf that you describe this is where bacteria is breaking down organic matter, it does sometimes smell mushroomy but is nothing to worry about.
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