Lichens & Liverworts
These make for some strange growths on the soil surface.
Lichens
These are neither plant nor fungus but a combination of both; see image above.They are very unattractive and generally will only live on problem soils where they can out compete the grass quite easily. As can be seen from the photo this is a very unhealthy bit of lawn covered in moss and lichen.
Treating them with chemicals is difficult as nothing is going to work too well. The most sensible approach is to address the cause of the problem. This will quite often be dry and compacted soils, heavy thatch and poor nutrition and lawn care. Undertaking a renovation programme of aeration and scarifying may work but do understand that when lichens move in it means your lawn is in critical condition. This means the best approach could be to replace the lawn.
Liverworts
Some people find these very attractive. Admittedly the green colour is often quite fantastic. They are related to mosses and favour the dampest and shadiest areas of your lawn. In fact when the moss gives up the liverworts are likely to take over.
Sometimes I wonder if these are worth bothering with. If the conditions are right for growing them then it is unlikely you’ll manage to grow grass. They won’t spread into sunny or healthy lawn areas so leaving them alone is the first option.
If you do want to get rid of them then the best way is to slice them from the soil surface with a spade or rake them up. Thoroughly rake and spike the soil afterwards to improve the soil and prevent the liverworts return. Finally, using ferrous or iron sulphate next time you treat the lawn is worth a try.
Buy Ferrous Sulphate here
More Pests & Diseases
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
Ants and bees are common in the lawn. The ant can be a major problem cutting away grass roots and building ant hills so use ant killer poison and bait traps
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
The grubs live in lawns eating the grass roots. If the infestation is bad enough damage can be caused by birds and animals eating the grubs
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
The Crane Fly or Daddy Long-legs is the adult and the Leather Jacket is the larvae or grub. Only the leather jacket grubs cause damage to your lawn
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
A patchy network of drying brown grass can be resolved by spiking, hollow tine aeration and wetting agents to bring the lawn back to life
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
Fairy rings appear in lawns in several ways: as rings of toadstools or mushrooms, as a ring of dead grass often covered in moss or rings of lush green grass
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
Fusarium disease is quite a common lawn problem. Treatment and prevention can involve good lawn care practices, fungicides or use of ferrous sulphate
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
Moles, like other lawns pests can cause serious damage as they search for worms in your lawn. They are tricky to kill so you may need help in ridding the garden
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
Of all grass diseases red thread lawn fungus is the most common causing brown patches or a blotchy appearance. The blotches will have a pink colouration
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
Rust is a fungal disease noticed as a yellowing of the grass leaves. Mildew often looks like someone has painted the grass leaves white
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
These are usually a sign of a healthy soil though on occasions a crop of toadstools will grow due to an excessive thatch layer or form a fairy ring
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Pests & Diseases of Lawns
Worms benefit the lawn by increasing organic breakdown and improving aeration and fertility however they do cause problems with their spiral casts