Yellow and dry patches on your lawn can be caused by everything from grubs to dry spells – getting to the (sometimes literal) root of the issue can prove difficult for frustrated gardeners.
But if your yellowing or black, dry, and generally burnt-looking grass appears after mowing, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) thinks the answer might be a simple one.
Though weedkillers and pesticides can sometimes create limp, weak grass – especially if they’re overused – a little mindless mowing may accidentally be leaking another harmful chemical onto your lawn too.
If you’ve just started your springtime mowing, the problem may be to blame for any new, random dead patches.
The issue could be down to petrol leaks
The RHS said that “it can be tricky to diagnose just by appearance, so instead it’s best to consider which causes may apply to your lawn”.
If you notice irregular dead patches that only appear after mowing, it added, this could be due to a petrol or oil spill or leak from your mower.
Pouring petrol on plants burns their leaves (or in the case of grass, their blades).
California Agriculture added: “If an oil spray wets the tops of grasses thoroughly, the film may creep from four to six inches down the stems and kill all tissue from which new shoots might grow.”
While a few drops of petrol or oil won’t require much action, the University of Maryland said a large spill may be severe enough to warrant the removal of soil, which may never recover from the burn.
How can I prevent petrol and oil spills when mowing?
We shouldn’t change our mower’s oil on the grass as it can accidentally spill, according to The RHS.
Additionally, the society warns: “Avoid topping up fuel or checking oil levels on your mower when it’s on the lawn, and be careful not to overfill the fuel tank or exceed the recommended oil levels.”
Even tipping up a mower or checking its blades on the grass can lead to a spill.
Here’s to a luscious lawn!
#Lawn #Dead #Patches #Mowing
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