Lawn drainage
smileysmile1966
Posts: 5
My house was built in 2001 therefore the lawn has never been quite right. Cracks in the heat where you can get your foot in. The winter brings spongy and like a marshfield. I doubt the soil underneath is much good. Lots of weeds, moss patches in the summer, Quite a big elevated lawn climbing up several steps to get onto lawn.
I don't think it's clay underneath just badly prepared with no where for rain to go. No decent soil for grass to thrive,
i was thinking of digging 4 foot all round laying ballast and then good soil then good turf. Photo can be attached if required. Lot of work and money no doubt and can't get a mini digger to garden to do the work as can only get to lawn via steps. Would appreciate some feedback kwhrthrr this would be the correct and only way?
Cheers
Last edited: 18 March 2017 00:01:03
Posts
Your initial description sounds exactly like it's on clay soil.
Aeration with grit fed down the holes is the usual way to address the problem. If it's used regularly by children (I'm guessing that's the case!) it will get compacted, so you'd have to aerate quite often. Most people accept they won't have a perfect lawn while children are young though.
Weeds and moss are also easy to regulate with one of the many proprietary weed and feed products in spring, and later through the season if needed. Regular mowing without scalping the grass, will also help grass thrive. It should never be left to get as long as it is in the photo during the growing season.
I don't really understand what you mean by 'digging four feet all round' ?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hi,
meant to say did up the whole lawn 4 foot down which is a great task and lay a layer of stone chippings for drainage then a layer of good soul then turf. The lawn is lumpy in the summer and huge cracks appear obviously when lawn is left to dry. In the winter it's soggy and spongy. Waterlogged. In the summer i can find at least two huge ant nests. I have taken another photo and it's pouring down with rain. Just to give you an idea of the size. The lawn isn't always occupied by kids so that's not a problem.
So aerating the lawn I don't think is the solution if the foundation is not good. Hope this helps?
Smiley, you are thinking a sump to drain the soil under the lawn, in your case looking at the pictures it would not work. You will never have a bowling green without renewing the lawn totally, that means removing lawn and soil, laying a drainage then at least ten twelve inches of fresh soil then the lawn. With children and animals that would be a medium to hard grass seed.
Fairygirl is correct and I know she has experiece in that field (sorry about the pun) you need to aerate, you can hire a small machine that would work on the raised section, it takes out divets leaving a hole, i should say many holes. Then get a bag of washed sand and one of compost and mix them together. Throw shovel fulls of the mix across the lawn and sweep in with a stiff broom or besom into the holes this will aid drainage. Once about now and then again in Autumn after Scarifying that is getting the mat out of the lawn with a rake, either hand held or electric. My lawn has just been scarified. I like many gardeners do not like chemicals but having helped maintain a bowling green I know lawn feed and weed is a must. Feed it in about two weeks time and water it in well, then again six weeks later. Use a winter feed and weed in Autumn,(slow release) this should bring your lawn back into condition. Never let the lawn grow too long and never scalp, a one inch length is perfect in early summer this could mean mowing weekly.
Contrary to expectations lawns take more looking after than other parts of the garden, they can be hard work, TLC little but often will ensure a green sward.
Frank.
Thanks Frank,
I guess I was getting ahead of myself and making huge work for myself. In 9 years I have been here I have neglected the garden as I have concentrated on the house. April is on it's way. I don't mean do seem dumb but could you list 1-? of the first things I need to do to get my lawn looking good. Baring in mind how I treat ant nests spider nests I seem to have every year. So the list would start from giving the lawn a first cut? Then the aerating begins? Treatment etc. I think I will higher a machine to help. So I have weeds, moss etc. I need to buy some washed sand? Is that what it's called? Then mix it with compost? Okay Frank I am on a mission this Spring/summer to get this lawn in tip top condition. The cracks in the lawn are still there. How do I fill them? Look forward to your reply and anybody else who would like to give me tips. Thank you
Smiley My Dad poured a drop of petrol on the ants nests and then a match, don't do this at home. You can get some ant killer from any Garden Shop. Washed sand is building sand with the salt washed out of it, it originated as beach so there could be residual salt there in which would not do the lawn any good. Once you have mixed the sand and compost brush it into cracks as well as into the aerating holes, the grass will grow into it in time. You can even up the lawn by getting a long straight lath put it edge up on the lawn and sweep it round in a circle, you will see the high and low points. Fill the hollows with the same sand and compost mix, if they are deep just fill half an inch let the grass grow into the first application then do it again until you get a level, we levelled any low points on the bowling green the same way but did it in Autumn so we could bowl in the Spring. This may take a couple of years to get a level verdant lawn, you said it has been neglected.
So way to go, Aerate and scarify, Fill with a mix of washed sand and compost, Mow to no less than one inch at least once a fortnight and when the grass is growing fast (a warm summer, remember them?) mow once a week. use a feed and weed mid April and water in well (all Garden shops have it) six weeks later feed and weed again. You will start to see a big difference in the summer. Autumn aerate and scarify the lawn after the last cut, use Winter feed and weed slow release and water in well, I put it down when it is going to rain and still use a hose. It will take time although worth it in the end. One of my lawns is 35 years old and people passing say how good it looks the other lawn South facing so more water is needed but that also looks good, lawns take a lot of maintenance while growing, in winter I stay off it, if I need to go on it I use a board to stand on, a little thought can make life so much easier.
I would have got back earlier only I had a house full family Grandchildren and dogs, the larder is now empty so they all went home, still, that is what life is about, I love it.
Frank.
Will print out this advice guys. Soon as we get dry weather I will give grass its first cut and aerate it etc cheers again
Did a bit of manual aerating with hollow tube fork. Lawn is rather hard in most places. Nice holes it left but I don't think I have put many holes. I think a machine would be better unless the lawn starts to soften with rain. I am trying to keep costs down. Ok a local hire shop quoted £81 for a day but is it worth it for my small lawn?
Can somebody advise me on sand? B and Q have bags of sharp sand, or builders sand or in the lawn feed section 'lawnfeed' sand. Okay which one? Thanks