Dead lawn
mf21212
Posts: 20
Hello, I wonder if anybody can help me.
I have a lawn that (for whatever reason) has in places "died". There is a significant quantity of dried brown (dead) grass. I have previously been advised to feed it, aerate it, apply a wetting agent etc but none of these have worked noticeably. I assumed in time that the green grass would grow through the brown grass but this has not happened (although one can see the odd green blade growing through).
How do I fix this issue? The whole lawn looks fairly terrible when mown as the mower cuts the green stuff but not the brown (where there is green) but some parts of it look terrible constantly.
I had thought of perhaps raking out the dead stuff and then seeding but really it is too big an area to do this (would take days).
Many thanks in advance for your help,
MF
Posts
Photo may be helpful taken from upstairs window
I would hire or buy an electric lawn rake - that'll get that thatch out and give the grass a chance to grow.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
thatch is just dead grass then? Is an electric lawn take the same as a scarifier? Would you seed after using this?
It's thatch (dead grass), you need to rake it out. I use a spring tine lawn rake on mine, not as harsh as a standard garden rake. It will look scrappy afterwards but your lawn will be better for it, and it will soon bounce back with new spring growth.
All good points above and in answer to your earlier question, yes, an electric lawn rake is the same as a scarifier. Allow new grass to develop and if you feel that the lawn is still a bit sparse you can over seed in September/October.
Thank you very much for your help. I suspect the previous grass died due to lpoor soil quality. To prevent reoccurrence should I feed the grass once it has grown back?
There looks like quite a definite 'line' between the two areas. Have they been done at different times, or is there a slope that doesn't show properly in the pic?
I'm asking that because the condition of the underlying soil could make a difference to the quality of the grass.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yes done at different times. The "bad" area was done 3 years ago by the housebilders. Think they turfed over some very rocky soil. The better bit is an ex paddock which was weeded/rolled then seeded a year ago or so.
re thatCh, I am surprised so much could have built up in only 3 years since the lawn was laid?
Sorry to have to tell you mf21212 but lawn maintainance is an ongoing job.
I'm no lawn obsessive, just want a patch of green for family use, and I rake, spike and feed mine annually along with regular mowing during the growing season and watering in dry spells.
I'm not surprised you have a thatch problem after 3 years. I suggest you research lawn care a bit more. I follow the lawn calendar in my Hessayon book on lawn care. I'm still learning
I'm not fanatical about my 'grass', but it gets a weed and feed in spring and regularly cut - not too short. The odd bit of scarifying and an extra feed later in the summer, if I can be bothered, or remember. It always looks healthy and happy. No watering - the sky does that - frequently
Right now, the front consists of mainly moss (north west facing) and the back (south-ish facing) looks like a heap of sh**e, but in a few months, all will be rosy. Well - it'll be green....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...