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Grass yellowing - Need some advice

kevh1980kevh1980 Posts: 12
in Problem solving
Hi,

looking for a bit of advice as i a bit of a novice 

I have been cutting the grass once per week since the end of April but its looking much less green and vibrant than it did last year, i have used some lawn feed to try to make it look a little more healthy but 2 weeks later its not made too much difference.

Ive not watered it that much, probably only once this year but i didnt think it had been dry enough to start regular watering yet, any advice ? or is it just a case of be patient, pictures below.

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I never water my lawn ... nor even last year when it all turned brown. 

    How long has your lawn been established?  Has it been sown/ turfed within the last 12 months? 

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





  • kevh1980kevh1980 Posts: 12
    it was laid September 2017 about 16 months or so
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’d give it a good going over with a spring tine hand rake or electric lawn rake to get the brown grass (thatch) out ... that’ll freshen it up. 

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





  • Greg4Greg4 Posts: 91
    Looks to be cut too short, leave it to around 1 inch when cut, make sure mower blade is sharp. A cylinder mower will give a better cut. I would scarify out all the thatch, give it a good watering and over seed with grass seed. It may look worse before it gets better. Top dressing with top soil will also help. But I would say you are mowing too short.
  • kevh1980kevh1980 Posts: 12
    Thanks for the advice, is raking not enough then, you have to scarify the grass every year ??
  • mrtjformanmrtjforman Posts: 331
    looks like turfed lawn to me. I hate that stuff for exactly the reason your lawn looks the way it does.
    Not sure how to fix it but lawn feed should be amongst your best bets. 2 weeks is too little to see any noticeable effect yet and it needs several rainfalls for the grass to be able to start absorbing the feed.
    Don't overfeed but if some patches haven't greened up by autumn then feed again.

    My personal option would be to dig it up and reseed it but then again I'd have to seriously ask myself if the hassle would be worth it for a few patches in the lawn.


  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Some people do it in spring and again in autumn.  You can buy a machine to do it for you - similar size and shape to a lawnmower.  It will remove all the dead thatch and allow more air, light and water to your grass and thus improve its health.

    However, your main problem is cutting it too short.  Leave it longer so it has a greater leaf area which means it can photosynthesise more energy to keep the roots healthy and they, in turn, make healthier grass...... 

    If you want a bowling green effect you'll have to start all over again with a different variety of grass and loads of soil prep and constant after care.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • kevh1980kevh1980 Posts: 12
    mrtjforman said:
    looks like turfed lawn to me. I hate that stuff for exactly the reason your lawn looks the way it does.
    Not sure how to fix it but lawn feed should be amongst your best bets. 2 weeks is too little to see any noticeable effect yet and it needs several rainfalls for the grass to be able to start absorbing the feed.
    Don't overfeed but if some patches haven't greened up by autumn then feed again.

    My personal option would be to dig it up and reseed it but then again I'd have to seriously ask myself if the hassle would be worth it for a few patches in the lawn.


    It is Turfed lawn, we live in a new build and it looked stunning last year, would a few decent soaks with my sprinkler help you think ? 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Greg4 said:
    Looks to be cut too short, leave it to around 1 inch when cut, make sure mower blade is sharp. A cylinder mower will give a better cut. I would scarify out all the thatch, give it a good watering and over seed with grass seed. It may look worse before it gets better. Top dressing with top soil will also help. But I would say you are mowing too short.
    Totally agree. 👍 

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





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