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Strong and weak areas of lawn

Jon_seJon_se Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Hi, some advice for a novice needed!

I'm getting ready to overseed the lawn before winter sets in. One issue I have is that there are strong patches of grass in my lawn, and areas that are far less strong. I once cut the lawn too short, the whole thing went brown, and what was very conspicuous is that some areas recovered far more quickly than others - notably one area that was covered in weeds when I moved in here, and which I completely reseeded about 18 months ago - that came back very quickly. 

Question is - is there anything in particular I should do to help even things out when overseeding? Or should the new seed I lay down on the existing lawn naturally crowd out some of the weaker existing grass?

Thanks for any help!

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi @Jon_se - I wouldn't do it now, would be my advice. Unless you live somewhere very mild.  :)
    Grass seed needs temps in the mid teens, consistently, to germinate and grow well, so if you can guarantee that, it might be ok.
    The mistake you've made when it went brown, was probably cutting it far too short, and then it's been parched. That gives weeds and common grasses a foothold at the expense of the grass you want. Grass needs warmth and moisture to do well  :)
    When you do seed, broadcast the seed over the whole area too, not just the bare spots. It needs some soil contact too, so make sure you rake over the area, and add some soil or compost to the area, then seed and firm it so that there's good contact.  
    Hope that helps.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JW120JW120 Posts: 3
    Hi Jon, it is a bit late in the year for sowing grass seed but you might get away with it. I agree with Fairygirl, probably best waiting until Spring now.The patches that grow more quickly shouldn't be an issue. Once the new grass has reached a height of c. 70mm mow to about 50mm and keep at this level and reduce into summer to prevent the stronger grasses taking over. Also fertilising a few weeks before sowing will help.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    It could be that the grass seed that you used before was a stronger-growing variety than what was already there. If you can get the same again for when you overseed it will help to even things up. I suspect you'll need to mow frequently throughout spring and summer to keep the strong-growing stuff looking good. Little and often is best if you're aiming for lawn rather than meadow.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    There is also the possibility that some of the stronger grass could be a weed-type of grass ... if you show us some photos we would be able to ID it for you if that's the case ... then you could use the winter to remove those patches in readiness for reseeding in the spring, when ground temperatures are around 10C.   :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I was thinking it might have been one of those very fast growing "super green" types. If the existing grass was a finer, slower-growing type it would have the effect described.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Point taken @JennyJ :)

    I was wondering whether it might be something like patches of couch grass or Yorkshire Fog  :/

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Could be, but the OP said it was the areas he/she had reseeded that were growing more strongly. A picture might help. In any case we're well into autumn now so unless they're in a very mild area there's not really much to be done about it until spring.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Ah ... I'd misunderstood that bit.  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Jon_seJon_se Posts: 4
    Thanks for your help everyone! 

    It is a bit late - but in London things tend to be a bit milder so I'll give it a go I think. Will send a picture over the weekend. I don't know what grass seed was used before... but given the weeds when I moved in I suspect there hadn't been much care! 

    For where I've seeded over bare areas (and which are now growing strongly), I think I used the shade-friendly seed from Miracle Gro. 

    With the lawn turning brown - yes, it was the area I cut to 20mm that went brown straightaway. Will take the advice of little and often, and I suspect there'll be more to do in the spring anyway! 

    Thanks again; much appreciated. 
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