After having leatherjackets infiltrate my lawn last year (turf laid the year before) and eat all my grass, I paid for the services of Green Thumb to get it back to normal, which in fairness they did. However, about 5 weeks ago, I started noticing dead patches on my lawn, and then eventually saw leatherjackets everywhere. They have been gradually ruining my lawn again but this time I've decided to try and fix the problem myself, mainly due to the lockdown.



I laid some nematodes about a month ago to treat the problem. I know it's not the optimum time of year for this to be done, I was just desperate to get my garden ready for the summer. I followed this up with fertiliser and grass seeds over 2 weeks ago.

As you can see from the picture, nothing is really happening and there is minimal growth. Before the lockdown, a gardener from GreenThumb came and looked at it and I explained my concerns, he said to just be patient. I can't help think that there is something else wrong.

The ground is very dense and when I water the grass (everyday) it doesn't absorb very well. I have made some holes in the hope this will help with the growth, but no luck.

Can anyone help give me any advice or tips to get my grass back please?

I'm guessing you're in the UK? Do you know what the soil temperature was or is (might have been too cold for the nematodes). According to the RHS there are no chemical controls for leatherjackets available to homeowners there so it looks like the nematode Steinernema feltiae is your only option.

I suspect a large part of your problem is the soil and the fact that you're waitering every day, that may be too much based on the look of the soil. The garden is also shaded, at least at the time of day the picture was taken, which is not good for growing grass. Do you need a lawn for kids to play, or could you put in some hard surfacing with flower beds instead?

Yes I'm in the south of England and I'm not sure of the temperature, to be honest I was so desperate I would have laid them regardless. I just want my lawn back so my daughters can play in the garden.

Unfortunately, 1/4 of my garden has shade for the entire day.....not good for growing grass like you said. Is there anyway around this?

Thanks so much for your reply

There are more shade tolerant grass species, but the condition of the soil looks (from the picture) to be not so good. Was the soil properly prepared before the original sod was laid, or before it was subsequently seeded? If the water is not soaking in it could have been oversaturated, or is it heavy clay?