New turf - lawn advice

JR44 · September 2020

Hi,

I have moved into a new build home and have had my turf since the end of July.

It was doing well with lots of water and I let it grow to a long length before first cut, however I have hit some issues and not sure where next to turn.

I seem to be having some thatch, which when cleared is causing patches. I have been raking after each mow but seems an endless battle. I also used some autumn care miracle gro in attempt to try and help, but this seems to have burned the lawn too (perhaps too dry). I am no expert as you can probably tell!

Looking for some tips & advice to thicken the grass, get it greener again, and prevent further issues before autumn/winter is here.

Thanks in advance,
Jordan

JennyJ · September 2020

Welcome to the forum

I think your lawn is too new to have developed anything much in the way of thatch - that's when there's a layer of accumulated old dead grass down amongst the roots, not dried clippings on the surface. The patches in your top picture look a lot like the kind of damage that happens with feed-and-weed overdosing or uneven application. The bare strips will probably fill in over time. In any case autumn lawn feeds aren't meant to give a quick greening effect; they encourage root growth so the lawn will be stronger next year, so don't expect a visible effect just yet.

The best thing is to cut little and often until it stops growing for the winter, and even more so if your mower doesn't collect the clippings. Big clumps of long clippings will effectively shade out the grass if not picked up fairly promptly, and letting it get quite long between cuts tends to make a lawn look like a stubbly hay field after harvest. Yours doesn't look bad in that respect. I'm sure it will improve given time and good care.

Fairygirl · September 2020

Too new a lawn to have food

The ground also needs to be thoroughly damp before applying, so bear that in mind for next year. The constant raking will only prevent the roots establishing well too, so avoid that. By next spring it will have a better hold.
Leaving it till it gets long before cutting is also a rookie error, but it'll survive, so don't worry. Little and often, as @JennyJ says. Try to take no more than a third of the height off at any time. That also encourages the grass to spread sideways [tillering] which will help to fill any gaps

It's grass, and it will be fine. Just let it do it's thing

New turf - lawn advice

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