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Lawn advice

GraysGrays Posts: 172
in Problem solving

Hello all,

Looking for some general lawn advice for the coming year.

Been in this house now for 18mths, and the lawn was "ok" last year, but looking to improve it hopefully this.

Not used to having a garden this size, and a lot of it was a bit daunting last year, but learning as I go along.

We have a lot of moss in the lawn at the moment, probably about a third in total, the majority is at the top of the garden stretching across the width of the back, I think there is too much to scarify by hand, so would you advise buying a scarifier?

If so, when is the best time to scarify? 

Should I do anything before scarifying?

What steps should be taken after scarifying?

Sorry for all the questions, but Im really clueless........ 

Should I get some experts in to do it for me? 

Ive enclosed a couple of photos, hopefully one of them will show the moss, the other gives an idea of the size of the lawn (goes a bit further to the left also)

Thanks in advance!imageimage

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Posts

  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016

    It does look quite a large area to scarify by hand, but you could do it a section at a time.  In Spring use a combined weed, feed and moss kill on the lawn, then try not to panic where areas start going black.  That's the weeds and moss being killed.

  • GraysGrays Posts: 172

    Thanks for the advice.

    Is there a brand of weed, feed and moss kill you would recommend?

    I was a bit worried that the grass wouldn't ever recover after the moss has been removed due to the sheer amount of it, would it need some kind of re seeding after do you think?

    Thanks again.

    Last edited: 28 February 2017 22:19:25

  • GraysGrays Posts: 172

    Thanks again.

    I haven't cut the grass this year yet, and wasn't planning on doing so for another month?

    So you think cut the grass mid march? then immediately apply the weed, feed and moss killer.

    Wait a couple of weeks, then scarify?

    Will it then need seeding after the scarifying?

    Cheers.

  • GraysGrays Posts: 172

    Hello again,

    Decided its time to give the lawn its first cut sometime this week, more likely at the weekend if its dry.

    Just to make sure I am going to do this correctly........

    I cut the lawn on a high setting on the mower,  then apply weed and feed to the entire lawn, Ive measured it roughly and its about 230 sq metres, I then leave it all together for a couple of weeks, and then scarify it after that?

    After I scarify, there will be other steps obviously, such as fertiliser and re seeding and stuff, but are these steps correct for what I need to do now, or have I missed anything out?

    Thanks in advance.

    Last edited: 15 March 2017 20:31:25

  • GraysGrays Posts: 172

    Hi, Thanks for the replies,

    Yes, Ive got a lot of moss, all at the top of the garden, so it will definitely need a moss/weed killer (any particular recommendations?), then i will look to purchase a scarifier, and do that a week after the moss killer?

    Thanks again.

  • EsspeeEsspee Posts: 274

    I rented a scarifier for the first few years.  Didn't want yet another machine cluttering up the garage when I had " solved" my moss problem.  How naive was I?  Eventually bought one, money well spent in my opinion.  Trying to do it manually is masochistic.  Be warned - the amount of moss you will scrape up will astound you........year after year after year. :-(

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,088

    If you can, buy a scarifier.  They're not that expensive and don't take up much space but they certainly earn their keep.

    As for products, read the instructions on the pack for when and how densely to apply it.  You need to let the grass heal a couple of days after cutting before applying chemicals whether organic or not.   Don't be alarmed when things turn black.  It's a natural process of the treatment but don't overdo the dosage thinkin it'll be faster.  Yo'll just burn the grass too.

    If there are large bare patches after you've scarified, rake the soil loose as it will be compacted and then, in April, sow a suitable seed - for shade, sun, hard wear etc.  It will take a few weeks and you'll need to water the seed if it doesn't rain.   Lave it to grow a few inches before giving it its first cut on the highest setting.   This will encourage it to strengthen and thicken.  

    Never cut the rest of the lawn shorter than one inch high as this weakens the roots and allows weeds and moss to compete and grow.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • GraysGrays Posts: 172

    Hi again,

    Just had a browse in the local supermarket, and they've got boxes of evergreen 4 in 1 at £7, 2 of these boxes would do for my garden, and a spreader at £20.

    Just a bit confused as some people are saying no need for moss killer, just scarify?

    I know there is a risk of burning the grass using this product, but I couldn't see any soluble stuff today.

    Another thing that puzzled me was, Im sure it said not to seed the lawn for 8 weeks after using this product? does that sound right? Its just I have a lot of moss, and it will probably need re seeding asap.

    So.............. do I cut the grass and then apply this, or miss this out completely and just scarify after the first cut?

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