Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Clover, weeds and new lawn (newbie)

jonny_supersonicsjonny_supersonics Posts: 10
in Problem solving
Hi, I am finally trying to sort my lawn after years of neglect. I'm not after a bowling green just something that looks half decent and isn't 80% moss. 
Currently I have used a moss and weed killer and it's got rid of most of the moss. I've then cut it short and scarfified it to see what it's like. Currently amongst the little grass that is left is lots of horrible type of vines, I think it actually had the clovers on but not sure as I know little of gardening. 

I'm just after advice of what to do... Kill the lawn and start again or treat it with something? 

Andy advice much appreciated. I've attached the pics below. 

Thanks 



«1

Posts

  • jonny_supersonicsjonny_supersonics Posts: 10
    The vine type weeds also run flat across the soil and can vary from an inch to a foot in length 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I will tag @MrMow as he might be able to advise,  l'm sure someone can help  :)
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    Isn't that just a clover runner? 
  • jonny_supersonicsjonny_supersonics Posts: 10
    Slow-worm said:
    Isn't that just a clover runner? 
    I'm not sure what it is I know very little about gardening... Sounds probable as the clovers sprout off parts of it. Until I started actually getting hands on to them I didn't know what clovers actually grow on 
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    I've got a couple of patches in my lawn, the runners do get really long. Bloody stuff. We put the paddling pool over it last year to block the light. (Got no kids, just like a coolpool 🤣)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    What your 'grass' needs is a week of rain.
    You say it was 80% moss, which has now been treated, and scarified, so there won't be much grass, especially as you've now cut it very short. If you cut it short it allows weeds to thrive more easily.
    Let it recover, and don't cut it so short. You'll just keep weakening it if you do that   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • jonny_supersonicsjonny_supersonics Posts: 10
    Fairygirl said:
    What your 'grass' needs is a week of rain.
    You say it was 80% moss, which has now been treated, and scarified, so there won't be much grass, especially as you've now cut it very short. If you cut it short it allows weeds to thrive more easily.
    Let it recover, and don't cut it so short. You'll just keep weakening it if you do that   :)
    Funnily enough it's raining now, what about the clover runners that are still all over the spot? You're right there's very little grass but loads of the runners. They seem to have been laying under the moss.

    Thanks 
  • MrMowMrMow Posts: 160
    Thanks  AnniD ( long day yesterday )

    Agree with Fairy Girl That it is now going to need around 4 to 5mm of water on it per day at the moment .  The colour of the ground will now attract heat and now dry a lot faster. plus take the strong winds we have had of late, If you put your hand on the ground when the suns out you will feel the heat building up.

    So your start point is allow it to recover for a while and allow it to re establish on what grass is remaining.

    As you have used weed killer, you will have to wait 6 to 8 weeks to allow the product to disperse before attempting to over seed, and that brings you into July /August. so allow it to recover for a few weeks and see what happens, you would then have a window to spot treat the remaining weeds and then this will bring you into a better time of year to re seed. 

    How big is the lawn roughly?      and then I can work out some quantities and costs for materials.

    Do you have a sprayer ?, they are not huge costs.

    So recovery time / spot treat stubborn weeds / and then over seed & top dress Mid September

    I never knew retirement would be so busy. :smile:




  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I don't see clover as a weed, although others would. It's quite easy to pull, or dig, out.
    If you really want rid of it, you can spot weed later on, when the grass is healthier. 

    Bear in mind that a lawn that's very mossy is usually because of various factors - shade, and compacted/badly draining ground are the main ones. It depends how fussy you are about it though - my front lawn is shady and wet, so is very mossy over winter. Once conditions improve, it greens up, even without much attention - a feed, or a weed and feed if absolutely necessary.
    I don't cut it too short either, which helps. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • MrMowMrMow Posts: 160
    Another reason for moss,  no food for the grass to live off leaving it weak and weeds will soon take over the thin areas.
    I never knew retirement would be so busy. :smile:




Sign In or Register to comment.