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Clay Soil Lawn Revamp - Have I got this right?

Charlie_RCharlie_R Posts: 4
in Problem solving
I have a few large areas of lawn which are mostly moss at this point, very patchy, with areas of OK grass. The site is generally very wet (North West), and it's a very clay rich and heavy soil. It's often waterlogged in areas after rainfall.

I'm trying to get the moss out and the grass thriving in a more uniform way. My research has led me to this plan:

Step 1: Apply bacteria-based moss killer + lawn fertiliser
Step 2: Rake up areas of moss
Step 3: Work aerator hand tool across the area removing cores of soil
Step 4: Spread sand/topsoil combo across area to help drainage
Step 5: Sow grass seed

This is a big project for me. Does anyone have any adjustments, changes, or recommendations for the steps above? Am I fighting a losing battle with the heavy clay soil?

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Clay and wet - the most tricky combination for grass. Even worse when you have some shade too  :)
    You're pretty much doing all the right things, although if you're doing the core removal, it's better to just fill those with grit, or gritty sand.
    Once the weather warms up, the grass will get the upper hand, and it'll look better.

    It also depends on how fussy you are about it's appearance, and how it gets used. I'm just happy if mine is green and not too full of weeds. The moss just now will disappear in a month or so without too much input from me.
    If you have children, they quickly make a mess of it, so if that's a factor for you, I wouldn't go mad with the treatments. It's largely a waste of time and money  ;)    
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    edited March 2023
    I've got areas where I'm planning to scarify, aerate and then scatter seeds as soon as the lawn isn't so sodden. I also hope to cover the treated area with fleece for a month or so, that acts as protector against frost, warms up the soil a little bit, lets in rain, is airy and will keep the pigeons birds off! 
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Sorting out the drainage might be one answer.  Tonnes of grit and compost worked in would be another. 

    There are a couple of very recent threads covering basically the same problem.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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