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Ask a Gardening QuestionGarden Design: Garden Design QuestionsPurple coloured lawn HELP!

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Purple coloured lawn HELP!

#1 · 16th March 2023, 7:24 pm

Good evening gardeners. I’m new to the forum and excited to have joined up and see all the great tips and advice. So I have a lawn issue. I moved to my new home 2yrs ago and have patches in the lawn where the grass appears to go purple and then a sorry looking yellow colour. These patches appear to spread through the year. Last year I scarified the areas heavily and re seeded but alas the issue returned and the seed didn’t take off. I would like to know if anyone out there has any ideas on what’s causing this. Is it a weed? A fungus? An invading grass species? The first photo shows the issue it has a firm woody stem. I have included some other photos. I welcome your thoughts!

#2 · 18th March 2023, 7:52 am

Hi @moleyboy9

Could you reattach the images as they haven’t uploaded correctly!

Then I’ll have a look at advise on your purple patchy lawn.

All the best.
Lee

#3 · 18th March 2023, 8:12 am

Hi Lee,

thanks for your interest, I have attached some photos and look forward to your opinion. Sorry about the previous photo issue I’m as good at technology as I am at lawn care

Uploaded files:

#4 · 18th March 2023, 2:56 pm

Hi @moleyboy9

This purple grass in your lawn looks very much like ‘red thread’. This is a lawn health issue where patches of grass will start to turn red or purple in some instances.

What causes red thread in the lawn?

Red thread is a fungal lawn disease that causes patches of red, brown or purple grass. Red thread disease is caused by a lack of nitrogen and long wet summers or autumns.

Looking at your lawn and the fact there’s lots of dry patches it leads me to identify this lawn disease as red thread also known as Laetisaria fuciformis

If you pull some up you’ll see the fungus that travels through the grass infecting other weakened parts of the lawn

Will red thread will my lawn?

No it won’t kill your lawn but does leave an unsightly appearance. It also weakens your lawn so other issues or pests will find it easy to damage it further

How to treat red thread

The best treatment is to give your lawn a suitable feed.

High nitrogen in spring and lower nitrogen in the autumn. A long acting or slow release feed is best for lawns.

Ensure you also compost or dispose of your clippings. Don’t mulch your lawn as you simply spread the fungus around. A top dress of sieved peat free compost can also help give your red thread the heave ho! You can watch how to do this on the compost video guide below.

Hope that helps!

Lee

moleyboy9 has reacted to this post.

#5 · 19th March 2023, 1:17 pm

Many thanks Lee for a comprehensive answer. I had seen your video on using old compost so I have a plan in place to get rid of the purple and bring back the green. Very much appreciated !!!