First world problems at the moment and all that but just thought I would reach out to see if anyone has any advice for me in regards to my lawn.
It was generally okay last summer/autumn but following the seriously rainy period we had over winter and early spring, the lawn has developed a serious issue with moss and weeds. I have attached a few pictures to better describe the problems. The lawn was laid around three years ago.
The soil itself was significantly waterlogged and is of a heavy clay consistency which I don’t think has helped the drainage situation that may have contributed to the problem. Clearly the main issue is on the left hand side of the lawn which is relatively shaded by the fencing. The ground is still very spongy and wet in most places but I have managed one light cut and fertilised the ground using Westland Aftercut Lawn Thickener (Feed and Seed) just once so far this year.
I do have a decent lawn raker (electric scarifier) and a hollow-tine aerator at my disposal if any of those will help?
Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance of any advice 🙂
I’ve been in a similar situation and still am. I think it does make a difference, but it’s not a magic wand:
1. In spring I do the first mow of the year, then take it down further. This is so scarification gets to the moss and thatch with less damage to the grass.
2. Scarify (electric) the lawn vertically. Then I apply weed/moss killer.
3. Wait most of a week, mow and gather up more thatch and dead moss manually - dispose in council bin (just don’t compost it)
4. Then about three it four weeks later mowing as appropriate, scarify (electric) again horizontally. More comes out usually this time. Apply last weed/moss/seed/feed.
5. Wait most of a week, mow and gather up more thatch and dead moss manually - dispose in council bin (just don’t compost it)
This is a combination of advice here and from lawnsmith - it’s not perfect, but it’s what’s achievable for me as I don’t have much time.
I’ve scarified it up to now as I think the ground is still far too sodden to attempt to hollow-tine it. Also, I can’t get any sand for love or money at the minute.
Anyway, it’s looking a bit better so I’ll feed it again and try to dig some of the weed out.
Posts
1. In spring I do the first mow of the year, then take it down further. This is so scarification gets to the moss and thatch with less damage to the grass.
2. Scarify (electric) the lawn vertically. Then I apply weed/moss killer.
4. Then about three it four weeks later mowing as appropriate, scarify (electric) again horizontally. More comes out usually this time. Apply last weed/moss/seed/feed.
5. Wait most of a week, mow and gather up more thatch and dead moss manually - dispose in council bin (just don’t compost it)
This is a combination of advice here and from lawnsmith - it’s not perfect, but it’s what’s achievable for me as I don’t have much time.
Repeat in autumn. 👍
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1010863/lawn-moss/p1