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DIY - Lawn Dressing for Autumn

TerrysWorldTerrysWorld Posts: 174
in Problem solving
Want to start to prepare my own Lawn Dressing for Autumn.
Could I use my garden soil which has clay, sharp sand and Westland’s Farmyard Manure to sift and mix. 
My lawn suffers during hot weather and moss.
Also should I sprinkle Lime over the lawn to deter moss before top dressing.

thanks
South Monmouthshire stuck in the middle between George and the Dragon

Posts

  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited May 2023
    What do you hope to achieve?  You have given us some clues, but could you be more precise.  

    My compost is surprisingly high in nitrogen.  I apply it in the spring when it has had a bit more rotting down (end of year2),  The lawn greens-up quickly.

    I usually use a slow-release commercial dressing for autumn.  I reduce my moss with ferrous suphate solution - no blackening.  I avoid lime as I grow a number of rhododendrons and azaleas.
     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."
  • TerrysWorldTerrysWorld Posts: 174
    At the end of summers, the lawn is tired looking, burnt and then late autumn moss starts to appear where the soil has dried out etc.
    Read to help improve lawn and help with moss, using top dressing improves the poor soil helping to prevent moss where soil in a better condition.
    i’ve used the Sulphate with good effects, but read that could encourage the moss more so. The ph varies around the garden from neutral towards alkaline. My acid lovers are all in pots.
    South Monmouthshire stuck in the middle between George and the Dragon
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited May 2023
    My main point was not to apply high nitrogen feeds in the autumn.  My compost is high nitrogen, so is farmyard manure. To improve the water retentive capacity and drainage of the soil is always a worthwhile goal.

    Don't believe all you read. (that, of course, will include me.)
     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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