Probably digging for leatherjackets Patrick. They're the larvae of crane flies and it's common at this time of year. You can buy nematodes to apply to the grass, which is an organic way of solving the problem.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've seen how dreadful a lawn can look with leatherjacket damage, although I've personally not had much trouble with them. I've also seen them bounce back well with a good raking, some weed and feed and a bit of rain, but at this time of year that may not be feasible.I think it comes down to how good you want the grass to look. If you want Wimbledon standard, you might be more bothered by the damage.
'orses for courses and all that
Can I have the eclair philippa?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I posted back in the spring about the larvae coming up onto the patio in the very wet spring... I think it was Verdun who responded suggesting the nematodes. The grass was bare and wet where they had been....Being me I never got round to getting the nematodes and I have to say the grass has grown back completely. I just gave it a couple of liquid feeds back in the spring, early summer. So whilst I am sure the nematodes will eradicate the problem and I don't know what is in store this winter/spring, the grass can recover...I say grass as I could never call mine a lawn! i
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Probably digging for leatherjackets Patrick. They're the larvae of crane flies and it's common at this time of year. You can buy nematodes to apply to the grass, which is an organic way of solving the problem.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks Fairygirl. Patrick
Or if you're urban gardening they might be jackdaws.
I've seen how dreadful a lawn can look with leatherjacket damage, although I've personally not had much trouble with them. I've also seen them bounce back well with a good raking, some weed and feed and a bit of rain, but at this time of year that may not be feasible.I think it comes down to how good you want the grass to look. If you want Wimbledon standard, you might be more bothered by the damage.
'orses for courses and all that
Can I have the eclair philippa?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I posted back in the spring about the larvae coming up onto the patio in the very wet spring... I think it was Verdun who responded suggesting the nematodes. The grass was bare and wet where they had been....Being me I never got round to getting the nematodes and I have to say the grass has grown back completely. I just gave it a couple of liquid feeds back in the spring, early summer. So whilst I am sure the nematodes will eradicate the problem and I don't know what is in store this winter/spring, the grass can recover...I say grass as I could never call mine a lawn! i