Coconut oil - killing lawn ?

[Jethro_uk]

Finally got round to cutting the lawn(s) - first time in 8 weeks.

Noticed a coupled of smallish odd brown patches on the back lawn. The placing of them seems to be where I've once or twice spat out some coconut oil, (after using it to clean teeth & gums - google "pulling" :) ).

Since only 30-40ml is involved, then (if it is the cause) wtf is in the oil to act as a great herbicide ? (SWMBO suggested coating the block paving in it :) )

[Chris Hogg]

It's possible. Grass, and plants in general, have pores in their leaves through which they 'breathe', and oil will probably block those pores. Mineral oil seems poisonous to plants for that reason, see

but I'm not so sure about plant-based oils. Emulsions of (IIRC) linseed oil in water are used as 'green' insecticides, the oil blocking the breathing pores of insects, usually greenfly, and killing them. It doesn't seem to harm the plants though.

So, who knows?

[Bill Wright]

Cooking oil or WD40 works to kill mites on hens' legs.

Bill

[Tim Lamb]

Could be Vixen piddle.

[TimW]

Imagine washing your mouth out with vixen piddle

[Chris Hogg]

A likely explanation IMO, although possibly a bitch-dog or even a cat.

[Andrew]

It could be that the oil drops acted like lenses and allowed the suns rays to cook the grass, wok-style.

Local bowling club adds a wetting agent when they water their green and it certainly looks very green.

[Andrew]

does it cure their arthritis as well ?.

[Jethro_uk]

Well I know for a fact (visual confirmation :) ) that we have foxes around ...