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Overgrown garden recently cut down, advice?

CasshernCasshern Posts: 9
in Problem solving
Hi all, 

New to GW and new to gardening as this is my first garden 😊. The property was vacant for 2 years and grew into a tall grass, bramble and bug ridden monstrosity. We recently had it cut down to the floor and now we're left with a hay coloured garden. Please forgive the beginner question, but does this top soil need removing or is this grass that is recoverable? We have design plans for the future, but for now just want basic grass lawn for now. Any tips on what you experienced folk would do now?

Thanks! 

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  • CasshernCasshern Posts: 9
    Oh and forgot to mention that it is very uneven with some spots about half a foot difference in height. 

    Thanks! 
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    The problem is what you see is probably not grass but all the weeds that have been strimmed off and they are waiting to regrow. The only way forward in my eyes would be to deprive them of light with either membrane or cardboard and when everything is well dead, prepare the ground and seed some lawn. It wouldn't be a bad idea if you're going to do all that work to draw out a few flower beds, it's a waste to seed grass and only a season or two later to rip it up. Anyway, that's my take let's see what the rest of the forum thinks. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • CasshernCasshern Posts: 9
    amancalledgeorge said:
    The problem is what you see is probably not grass but all the weeds that have been strimmed off and they are waiting to regrow. The only way forward in my eyes would be to deprive them of light with either membrane or cardboard and when everything is well dead, prepare the ground and seed some lawn. It wouldn't be a bad idea if you're going to do all that work to draw out a few flower beds, it's a waste to seed grass and only a season or two later to rip it up. Anyway, that's my take let's see what the rest of the forum thinks. 
    Thank you for your advice, I did think the shoots looked too thick for regular grass. Much appreciated. 👍🏼
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Fill in the holes to bring it level , and when it rains it will start growing back. Mow it. Once a week until it stops growing with the cold weather mow it. You will not have a bowling green, but you will probably have a weedy grassy area you can call a lawn to sit on or the kids can play football on. If you want a bowling green, you can fork it over during the winter, removing all tap roots of dandelions and docks, and then seed or turf next March.  Not many weeds survive regular mowing, removing all grass clippings. Those that do can be dosed with weed and feed next spring.
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    I'd advise against rotavating it, however tempting it seems as a quick way of clearing and breaking up the ground.  A rotovator chops up the roots of perennial weeds, such as bindweed, docks and nettles, and every little bit gives rise to a new plant, leaving you worse off than before.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I'd second Fidgetbones good advice. Regular mowing will do the world of good. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I also say regular mowing.  Fill in the holes by topping with some top soil and seed it, if you fancy.  Or just mow it and consider it a garden feature for the kids.  Looks like a drainage ditch a bit.. or the perfect place for puddle jumping.  
    Utah, USA.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That 'drop' on the right might have been a path to the shed. 
    I'd agree - just mow for now, and wait until spring for doing a new lawn if that's what you want. If you have kids, they annihilate it anyway, so it's best not to get too fanatical about it!
    If you don't have kids, you an plant over winter what else you'd like, if you want a bit more than just lawn. It's really too late to sow seed anyway, and without getting properly rid of any perennial weeds, it's largely pointless. Spring is a better time for using a weedkiller anyway  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • CasshernCasshern Posts: 9
    edited September 2020
    I have one very active 8yr old and she's over the moon with it as is lol. Yes there is a concrete path on the left and right although the right side is partially buried in soil.  The previous owners were going to build an extension and there was a lot of builders equipment and even a chipped butlers sink.  Anyway, I'm finding out that there is a lot of buried junk such as 2x4 pieces, old grey paint, particle boards etc.  At the moment this is the garden that keeps on giving...! Current job is to (ahem) fox-proof the garden and I will buy a mower soon and try that suggestion.

    Thank you so much everyone, great responses and gives me a clearer picture of what to try. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Builders' 'stuff' always compacts the ground too, so if you want a half decent lawn, you'd need to spend a bit of time and effort to get rid of the compaction, assuming you don't have light, sandy soil of course  :)
    You'd probably need to rectify the path on the right, or remove it, depending on your needs.  :)
    Ground is easier to work when it's damp too, so if/when you get to that stage, bear that in mind. Solid dry ground is a pain, literally, and equally, heavy, wet clay is hideous. Timing is key  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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