Just recently small black patches have appeared in my lawns.What is it and how do I get rid.Can you also suggest a top notch autumn fertiliser.Have used B&Qs before but not greatly impressed.
Mhow

No chance of a photo or two of the patches? would help enormously..

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Verwood Handyman
I Know it says I'm On-line, but I might have just left myself logged in, whilst I'm out....

top notch fertiliser then it has to be Scotts but you can be talking about £25+ per bag

is it the ground or the leaf that is black?

The ground is black and the grass looks o.k..Never had this problem before but this is the first year I have failed to use a powdered fertiliser,relied on a liquid form this year,and wondering if this could be part of the problem?.
Mhow

how is the drainage? i had a lawn that wetnt very patchy this year, and after some advice from another forum I told the guy to stop watering it, let it dry out. couple of weeks later, and some top dressing and feed it is well on its way to recovery.

No problem with drainage,the water seems to soak in quite well,both rain and when I have to water.The lawns have not been as good this year as they are usually and I have put this down to not fertilising with powder granules and relying on liquids instead.
Mhow

dont always rely on liquid fertilisers

a mixture of granuale and liquid is the best week, roughly on a two week cycle

it sounds like algae forming on the lawn base, or black layer

when was the lawn last aerated

Last aerated the whole lawns three years ago,but when I saw the black patches I aerated in that area and this weekend have power raked all the thatch out and the lawns are looking better.Intend to give a granule feed of "Evergreen"today and raise the cutter blades in the future as I may have been cutting a little too close.Which form of aerating do you consider best,slitting or coring?.
Mhow

Had a chat with the greenkeeper at my golf club and when I described the symptoms to him he said it is what is known as "Black Lay",otherwise thatch that turns black when exposed to excessive water,and we certainly have had some rain around this area over the last few weeks.In closing would like to thank those who have tried to help.
Mhow