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Large but not very successful post build lawn

The builder roughly spread a mound of what they said was pure topsoil from their excavations after they finished the house. When we came to rake it out it was full of stones and even builders' rubble but we cleared this as much as we could, and rolled, raked, and etc, in late March. In early April we sowed plenty of good quality strong lawn mix from Emorsgate (where we got wildflower meadow seeds from for another part of the garden). The current lawn mix has finer bent and fescue grasses plus some dwarf perennial ryegrass and smooth-stalked meadow-grass. It took a long time to get going in April/May and as it did so a huge lot of weeds came up too and a lot of completely empty patches showed up despite our very careful sowing and watering. We have taken out the biggest weeds by hand and have just mowed for the first time after rolling gently last week. The lawn does not look good, very patchy and full of small weeds we don't want to go for by cutting too low. There are so many stony earth patches we feel we shouldn't resow now, but wait till autumn and live with the ugliness. What should we do? And should we use weedkiller in the autumn? I'd rather not but there are so many at the moment

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Hi Anna,  is there any chance of a photo or two please ? It sounds like you're doing the right things, do you want the sort of lawn for children to run around, kick a football etc. or something a bit "posher" ?  :)
  • Anna MKAnna MK Posts: 10

  • Anna MKAnna MK Posts: 10
    Thank you for the comment and here are some photos. Any lawn would do at the moment! Ideally something fairly nice as it is right outside our sitting room and we can walk out onto it (supposedly) from the decking 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I see what you mean Anna !
    I must hold my hands up and say l am no lawn expert by any means, hopefully one will be along shortly. 
    It may be worth overseeding the worst areas, and persevere with getting out the bigger weeds. Normally regular mowing would weaken the smaller ones as the grass takes over.
    If you can keep it watered with a sprinkler after reseeding that may help, also a blend of stronger fescues. This is just my take on it,  as l say l'm hoping someone with greater lawn knowledge appears  :)
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