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My lawn is a bit of a mess
susananwms
Posts: 213
I need to do something with my lawn this Spring
It did not have a cut at end of last growing season because I left it too late and then it was too wet so is quite long now and I cannot wait to sort it out
I plan to cut it, feed it then ? scarify with the long pronged rake type tool. Then use garden fork to poke holes throughout before scattering seed. Is this in all the right order?
Another question is what type of seed to use. I have tried all sorts in the past from basic seed to very expensive guaranteed to grow seed but not had much success
Consequently I have all sorts of grass on lawn some very different, also I feed the birds so a bit of mixture from that too. I walk on it a lot too as shed is at bottom of garden and rotary line in centre when used
I have a problem area at bottom of garden which is soggier than top probably because it is in shade more than rest of garden and not so good drainage. I scattered compost on all that last year after advice that it would help drainage
Is not a big garden otherwise I would not hesitate to bring in the professionals
Knowing what best seed to use would really help
It did not have a cut at end of last growing season because I left it too late and then it was too wet so is quite long now and I cannot wait to sort it out
I plan to cut it, feed it then ? scarify with the long pronged rake type tool. Then use garden fork to poke holes throughout before scattering seed. Is this in all the right order?
Another question is what type of seed to use. I have tried all sorts in the past from basic seed to very expensive guaranteed to grow seed but not had much success
Consequently I have all sorts of grass on lawn some very different, also I feed the birds so a bit of mixture from that too. I walk on it a lot too as shed is at bottom of garden and rotary line in centre when used
I have a problem area at bottom of garden which is soggier than top probably because it is in shade more than rest of garden and not so good drainage. I scattered compost on all that last year after advice that it would help drainage
Is not a big garden otherwise I would not hesitate to bring in the professionals
Knowing what best seed to use would really help
0
Posts
As and when you can do the fork pronging thing, going in as vertically as possible and wiggling back and forth to open up the holes as this allows better drainage but also gets air to the roots. Work backwards so you don't trample all your efforts and compact them again.
When you can, pour on sharp sand - not builders' sand - and brush it across and into all your holes so that it keeps them open.
If you can get all this done by the end of March and keep a regular cut going at the higher setting your grass should be growing well enough by early April to respond well to a weed and feed treatment but do follow the instructions carefully as overdosing will turn it all black and under dosing will be a waste of time and effort and money.
Any seeding can then be done a couple of weeks later but you could also consider sowing some grass seed in trays in April so that you save time and can also protect seed from birds. Then you can slot them in as needed. If your damp bit stays persistently damp, consider digging that part up and making a bed for plants that like damp roots. There are many which will look beautiful.
Consider also laying some stepping stones to your shed and washing line so you don't trample the lawn and compact its soil.
Jenny, the garden is south facing so plenty of sun except for bottom where shed gives shade when sun is highest. From what you said I assume it might be better if I used 2 different types of seed, one for shade and one for sun
Obelixx, glad you said about cutting on highest setting as mower is set on lowest at moment and also about working backwards. Not sure about the weed and seed as I did something previously that killed most of my lawn and I thought I had lost it all. Am not sure if that was what it was
Both comments about stepping stones I have taken on board and I may lay slabs to the soggy area at bottom of garden as it is in front of the shed
I am trying to do things properly this time as I have just dived in and done stuff that did not really work before so thank you
Cutting the grass higher leaves more leaf area to photosynthise and pass energy to the roots and make them stronger and better able to compete with weeds.