so I finished scarifying the lawn yesterday on a medium setting on the scarifier, the amount of stuff it took out was unbelievable, some 12 garden sacks and 3 trips to the local tip to get rid of it all.
2 weeks ago I put some evergreen complete 4 in 1 down, and it did blacken some moss, but not as much as I thought, and I haven't seen much difference to be honest.
But I noticed on the instructions it said not to lay any grass seed until at least 8 weeks after putting the 4 in 1 down, what should I do next do you think? Ignore it and put some seed and fertiliser down and give it a good watering, or just leave it as it is and hope it recovers on its own, then put some seed down in 6 weeks?
Here is an update on the state of the lawn, and it's got me worried now to say the least.
As I've said further up the post I applied the 3 in 1 about 7 weeks ago now and scarified.
The grass has been cut a couple of times, and is getting cut again today, I then aerated the entire lawn.
2 weeks ago I bought enough grass seed for the lawn, and some organic chicken manure ferlizer for lawns, I raked more dead moss and thatch out by hand, I then evenly spread the grass seed and rolled it in using my lawn mower, I applied the chicken manure and gave it a good watering, 2 weeks later and if anything it looks worse.
Here are a couple of photos to show the problems, as you can see on the close up one of a bare patch, you can still see the grass seed, bit the soil is so compacted I'm worried it cannot take?
What should I do now do you think? Beginning to regret scarifying now, at least the moss was green.
Two weeks isn't long for it to germinate at this time of year, especially as it's been cold recenty (although that also depends where you live) and the seed has to have good contact with the soil. Some of that looks like it's just sitting on top.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Two weeks isn't long for it to germinate at this time of year, especially as it's been cold recenty (although that also depends where you live) and the seed has to have good contact with the soil. Some of that looks like it's just sitting on top.
Yes it's been watered with the sprinkler 2 maybe 3 times, it could probably do with it doing a bit more regular, I have used the roller on the lawn mower to try and get it firmly pressed in, I've even walked round the bare patches stamping it in manually.
As said I am a bit concerned as to how the seed can take with the ground been so compacted? I have tried loosening the soil in some patches with the rake.
i will cut the grass today on a high setting then water it again.
Yes - loosen the soil up a good bit to create a better medium for the seed. It does look very solid. You could add a bit of sieved soil or some compost over the top as well, and add a bit more seed - raking it into the loosened soil. The gently compact it by walking over it. Rollers are rarely good as they just compact the soil totally. A really thorough watering is what's needed - if you have a soaker hose, or sprinkler, leave that on an area for at least half an hour or more, then move it to the next area. Do that once a week or thereabouts, depending on weather conditions.
Keeping your cut a bit higher is always better if there's not a lot of growth. Don't cut it unnecessarily. It has been very dry everywhere, even up here, and if it's cold as well, the grass isn't growing as readily as it normally would at this time of year.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks for the help and advice, it is appreciated.
Was hoping to have the lawn looking good this year, naturally a bit worried with it at the moment, but fingers crossed it will improve with time.
I did contemplate putting a light covering of compost over the worst areas, and this might make me sound a bit daft, but wouldn't that deny the existing grass seed some sunlight? or is it just warmth it needs to germinate?
Think I will maybe sprinkle the worst areas with some, and a bit more seed, and give it a thorough watering. Hopefully I will post a photo in a months time of something resembling a healthy lawn.
I would water it every day until the seeds germinate. Not just a little water but a complete drenching if there has been no rain. Use a sprinkler which gives the effect of rain, don't just hose it down. Once it has germinated you can ease off on the watering.
When you sowed your seed there was no need for fertiliser. Personally I would sprinkle compost over the seed on the bare patches and walk over it when damp to ensure contact with the soil. Time and patience are your best friends. Just keep cutting it on a high setting, don't let it dry out and eventually you will have good coverage.
I would water it every day until the seeds germinate. Not just a little water but a complete drenching if there has been no rain. Use a sprinkler which gives the effect of rain, don't just hose it down. Once it has germinated you can ease off on the watering.
When you sowed your seed there was no need for fertiliser. Personally I would sprinkle compost over the seed on the bare patches and walk over it when damp to ensure contact with the soil. Time and patience are your best friends. Just keep cutting it on a high setting, don't let it dry out and eventually you will have good coverage.
You can use sifted soil or any old compost, even sharp sand works. You are looking for a light covering to keep the seeds weighted down and moist. Ideally you should not see the seed. Keep the lawn mower away from the seeded bits and forget about feeding for now. Later in the season you can water on a liquid feed. Good luck.
Yes - any old compost. It's just a question of making the ground more hospitable for the seed to germinate. It doesn't all have to be visible - in fact, if it's lightly mixed in with some compost or sand, it makes it easier to sow, and as long as it's lightly tamped down and in contact with the ground below, it will be fine.
Normally at this time of year, it would be plenty warm and damp enough for it to germinate quickly, but the cold spell will have set it back a bit. You're just trying to replicate what would happen in nature - bit of warmth, bit of water. Don't worry about it too much - it will look good in a month or so. Feeding can wait for a good while - it's pointless feeding too soon.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
Morning all,
so I finished scarifying the lawn yesterday on a medium setting on the scarifier, the amount of stuff it took out was unbelievable, some 12 garden sacks and 3 trips to the local tip to get rid of it all.
2 weeks ago I put some evergreen complete 4 in 1 down, and it did blacken some moss, but not as much as I thought, and I haven't seen much difference to be honest.
But I noticed on the instructions it said not to lay any grass seed until at least 8 weeks after putting the 4 in 1 down, what should I do next do you think? Ignore it and put some seed and fertiliser down and give it a good watering, or just leave it as it is and hope it recovers on its own, then put some seed down in 6 weeks?
Cheers.
Hello again,
Here is an update on the state of the lawn, and it's got me worried now to say the least.
As I've said further up the post I applied the 3 in 1 about 7 weeks ago now and scarified.
The grass has been cut a couple of times, and is getting cut again today, I then aerated the entire lawn.
2 weeks ago I bought enough grass seed for the lawn, and some organic chicken manure ferlizer for lawns, I raked more dead moss and thatch out by hand, I then evenly spread the grass seed and rolled it in using my lawn mower, I applied the chicken manure and gave it a good watering, 2 weeks later and if anything it looks worse.
Here are a couple of photos to show the problems, as you can see on the close up one of a bare patch, you can still see the grass seed, bit the soil is so compacted I'm worried it cannot take?
What should I do now do you think? Beginning to regret scarifying now, at least the moss was green.
Last edited: 05 May 2017 13:28:51
Has it ever had any water?
Two weeks isn't long for it to germinate at this time of year, especially as it's been cold recenty (although that also depends where you live) and the seed has to have good contact with the soil. Some of that looks like it's just sitting on top.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hi there,
Yes it's been watered with the sprinkler 2 maybe 3 times, it could probably do with it doing a bit more regular, I have used the roller on the lawn mower to try and get it firmly pressed in, I've even walked round the bare patches stamping it in manually.
As said I am a bit concerned as to how the seed can take with the ground been so compacted? I have tried loosening the soil in some patches with the rake.
i will cut the grass today on a high setting then water it again.
Anyone else any ideas?
Thanks again.
Yes - loosen the soil up a good bit to create a better medium for the seed. It does look very solid. You could add a bit of sieved soil or some compost over the top as well, and add a bit more seed - raking it into the loosened soil. The gently compact it by walking over it. Rollers are rarely good as they just compact the soil totally. A really thorough watering is what's needed - if you have a soaker hose, or sprinkler, leave that on an area for at least half an hour or more, then move it to the next area. Do that once a week or thereabouts, depending on weather conditions.
Keeping your cut a bit higher is always better if there's not a lot of growth. Don't cut it unnecessarily. It has been very dry everywhere, even up here, and if it's cold as well, the grass isn't growing as readily as it normally would at this time of year.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hi fairygirl,
Thanks for the help and advice, it is appreciated.
Was hoping to have the lawn looking good this year, naturally a bit worried with it at the moment, but fingers crossed it will improve with time.
I did contemplate putting a light covering of compost over the worst areas, and this might make me sound a bit daft, but wouldn't that deny the existing grass seed some sunlight? or is it just warmth it needs to germinate?
Think I will maybe sprinkle the worst areas with some, and a bit more seed, and give it a thorough watering. Hopefully I will post a photo in a months time of something resembling a healthy lawn.
Thanks again.
I would water it every day until the seeds germinate. Not just a little water but a complete drenching if there has been no rain. Use a sprinkler which gives the effect of rain, don't just hose it down. Once it has germinated you can ease off on the watering.
When you sowed your seed there was no need for fertiliser. Personally I would sprinkle compost over the seed on the bare patches and walk over it when damp to ensure contact with the soil. Time and patience are your best friends. Just keep cutting it on a high setting, don't let it dry out and eventually you will have good coverage.
Thanks for that,
Will just any regular compost do? And just a very light covering after it has been watered thoroughly?
You can use sifted soil or any old compost, even sharp sand works. You are looking for a light covering to keep the seeds weighted down and moist. Ideally you should not see the seed. Keep the lawn mower away from the seeded bits and forget about feeding for now. Later in the season you can water on a liquid feed. Good luck.
Yes - any old compost. It's just a question of making the ground more hospitable for the seed to germinate. It doesn't all have to be visible - in fact, if it's lightly mixed in with some compost or sand, it makes it easier to sow, and as long as it's lightly tamped down and in contact with the ground below, it will be fine.
Normally at this time of year, it would be plenty warm and damp enough for it to germinate quickly, but the cold spell will have set it back a bit. You're just trying to replicate what would happen in nature - bit of warmth, bit of water. Don't worry about it too much - it will look good in a month or so. Feeding can wait for a good while - it's pointless feeding too soon.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...