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Lawn problem

FoxosimoFoxosimo Posts: 48
in Problem solving
Hi my lawn has had a hard time recently due to building work and the really hot weather. It has mostly grown back and I added some feed a couple of weeks ago. Since then a few bald patches have occurred as you can see in the photos - I'm wondering if I need to do anything more? I aerated it as best I could and some of the lawn was patchy prior to feeding. Any ideas?

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Those bare patches, surrounded by taller darker grass, are typical of nitrogen burn from the urine from a bitch or vixen. 

    Not a lot you can do other than rake out dead grass, roughen the soil and scatter some seed, blending it into the surrounding lawn in case of a colour mismatch. 

    And of course, try to avoid it happening again ... if it’s not your dog and a stray or a vixen is visiting them that’s easier said than done ... 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FoxosimoFoxosimo Posts: 48
    Thanks - it could well be a fox. We used to frequently get one but I haven't seen it for a while.
  • marknissen7marknissen7 Posts: 2
    My best guess would be nitrogen burn aswell and there are no miracle cure.. Maybe some one day there will be, but for now the only cure is manually removing the dead grass and maybe some inches of the living grass besides it. From there on I would recommend using a nice topdressing and some quality seeds.

    Using some topdressing makes the seeds grow so much better and faster! Trust me, I've been doing it for years.. I am frequently dog sitting and it takes its toll on the lawn. :-)

    Mark Nissen
    Site

  • FoxosimoFoxosimo Posts: 48
    Thanks - I'd been reading up on nitrogen burn and think that could be it. I was going to add a little topsoil, put down grass seed, lightly cover it with topsoil and then water it. Does that sound ok? I've already raked out the lawn and it does look a bit better.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Don't cover the seed with topsoil ... a light sprinkling only ... it needs light to germinate

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FoxosimoFoxosimo Posts: 48
    Ok, thanks
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You might find it too late for seed to germinate now Foxo, but if it doesn't take, you can repeat the process in spring once everything warms up again  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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