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uneven weedy lawn

electricgardenelectricgarden Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Over the years my lawn (approx 220sqm) has become very uneven there are sunken areas and holes were various wild animals have been digging, it is also quite weedy and mossy, more weeds and moss in some places than grass.
I've thought about top dressing to get it more level but the sunken area is too deep for that.

I have a plan and would appreciate any feedback.

Initially I'm thinking of covering the worst sunken area (about 4X8 m) with a black plastic sheet and once all the weeds and grass underneath have perished raking the soil level and then reseeding with grass. If this works I'll  get more plastic and try a larger area. 
I'm thinking of putting the plastic down this month (Nov) but if spring  say March is a better time I can wait.

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    It's really getting a bit late to do anything. I think the dipped area needs digging up and more topsoil putting down and then levelled off properly before anything else. If you feel the area is not worth scarifying, spiking and then a light re-seed next spring, just peel out the top layer of soil and put down new top soil next spring and put down lawn seed. Moss and some weeds are a sign the lawn is possibly compacted or not scarified yearly.
  • IamweedyIamweedy Posts: 1,364
    You have seen my garden then.  ;);)



    'You must have some bread with it me duck!'

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Or you could contact Green Thumb and get them to quote. Our lawn was a complete mess when we moved in (house had been empty for 18 months) so we asked the franchise to call and have had them treat the lawn for the last 10 years. Best money we've ever spent. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • electricgardenelectricgarden Posts: 3
    Thanks for all your suggestions.
    I was hoping to do the job with minimum effort and back ache  (digging aagh) hence using the plastic and raking.  Yes Borderline I have never scarified ot spiked it, I guess a bit of digging will definitely aerate it.
  • AlchemistAlchemist Posts: 273
    Depending on how uneven the lawn is, If I was thinking of levelling the whole lawn your size, I’d hire a turf cutter, lift the turf, level the surface underneath by shifting the soil/adding new soil/rolling, followed by relaying the turf. 

    Even if your lawn is weedy, you can treat the weed and overseed bare patches and it will look as good as new. It’s a lot faster and less work than covering with plastic and digging with a fork followed by reseeding. Youlll have to prep and level the surface anyways for seeding.  

    I had an allotment at our old place a few years ago and took the plastic/ digging route to kill of the grass and prep the soil. It took ages + turning the dead grass with a fork was seriously back breaking; something I wouldn’t attempt again!

    Alternative would be to spray the whole lawn, roravate, level and reseed. This is what several lawn agencies do. 

    Good of luck with your project. 
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