The 2024 Lawn Thread

[Ambleton]

My anti pigeon device (APDs) weren't working. I like the wood pigeons, but I draw the line at them eating all my grass seed...



I found multiple pigeons feasting multiple times.


I changed it up a bit as per Malks22 tactics...

[malks222]

I hope it has the same success on your lawn!

[Ambleton]

It's not working.


So I have 4 wood pigeons that are basically permanent residents. You scare them off and they're back within 5 minutes.

Then yesterday I looked out and there was about 20 starlings in addition to the wood pigeons....

Id be surprised if there's much seed left and I put down enough (according to the packet) to seed a 90²m

Am I now into the territory of covering it over with fleece/plastic?

[Gad-Westy]

Ambleton said:

It's not working.


So I have 4 wood pigeons that are basically permanent residents. You scare them off and they're back within 5 minutes.

Then yesterday I looked out and there was about 20 starlings in addition to the wood pigeons....

Id be surprised if there's much seed left and I put down enough (according to the packet) to seed a 90²m

Am I now into the territory of covering it over with fleece/plastic?

I'm facing a similar problem as we have 6x free range chickens. Feels like I'm swimming against the tide the whole time. I reckon they consume about 50% of what I put down. They might end up in a curry if they're not careful!

[Mr Squarekins]

Cover it with lawn fleece from b&q. Let's light and water through, but not pigeons. 3 weeks later, you'll have a new lawn.

[westberks]

Mr Squarekins said:

Cover it with lawn fleece from b&q. Let's light and water through, but not pigeons. 3 weeks later, you'll have a new lawn.

threw some seed down yesterday as rain was forecast; now have the invading pigeons, but going away for 4 days and no time to get any cover down (also a bit too big for it). Expect to find zero seed or progress upon return on Tuesday and just 6 really fat pigeons using the garden loungers

[The Three D Mucketeer]

westberks said:

Mr Squarekins said:

Cover it with lawn fleece from b&q. Let's light and water through, but not pigeons. 3 weeks later, you'll have a new lawn.

threw some seed down yesterday as rain was forecast; now have the invading pigeons, but going away for 4 days and no time to get any cover down (also a bit too big for it). Expect to find zero seed or progress upon return on Tuesday and just 6 really fat pigeons using the garden loungers

You can expect something else aswell, get a bucket of water and sponge ready and warn the window cleaner.

[Ambleton]

Ambleton said:

I found multiple pigeons feasting multiple times.

I changed it up a bit as per Malks22 tactics...

7 days on and from a distance it doesn't look all hugely different. It's a bit greener.



Close up though there's a surprising amount of seed growing despite the best efforts of the pigeons and starlings.

I have a BBQ planned in a fortnight so hopefully it's somewhat more presentable by then!



ETA:
Malks222 - any update on yours? Interested to know what it looks like now!

[The Three D Mucketeer]

I don't think that's too bad in the time, at least you have some germination. The annoying bit comes first time you mow it , and flatten it or pull it out .

[malks222]

Ambleton said:

ETA:
Malks222 - any update on yours? Interested to know what it looks like now!

so I seeded on tues 30th april, and this is the last overview pic i have on monday 20th may:



and a closer view from saturday (25th may) morning where I can see something has been scurrying through in the night!



I think it’s doing pretty well, we’ve had some terrible downpours in edinburgh in the last week, and if you zoom in you can see the ‘tide mark’ on the grey wooden border/ edging where the water has pooled/ flooded. my plan is for a first cut/ trim this weekend if it dries out enough. I wanted to leave the new seed as long as possible, but the old grass/ overseeded centre patch is getting a bit much. I’m worried my flymo ruins it all!

[Ambleton]

That looks great. Gives me hope if yours looks like that in 3weeks then mine might have half a chance.

I assume flymos aren't height adjustable?

My plan is to do first few cuts on my highest setting so the new grass barely gets touched but the established stuff gets a bit of a trim

[malks222]

I think the flymo is adjustable, just different spacers to be used, but it was a hand me down from my family. might buy a new blade at least for the first cut. I feel that a lawnmower with wheels would just be a bit more gentle on the new grass for the first few cuts.

I am delighted with the progress though, didn’t think in 4 weeks we’d go from completely bare/ fresh topsoil to what we have now. just the stress of now trying not to ruin it!!

[Tim Cognito]

Despite the rain we've had I'm having trouble getting a few patches of seed to germinate. I've not watered every day but the soil has always been moist to the touch when I've checked.

I think I'm going to put some more down as its been down over 4 weeks with not much success.

[P40L VX]

I top dressed my lawn with some organic compost after seeding. The lawn is coming on a treat but I now have a lot of mushrooms growing which i can only assume has come from the compost? What’s the bet way to be rid of the mushrooms?

[LooneyTunes]

Stedman said:

My verticutter attachment turned up last week. gave it a crack and then went away for the weekend. I must say, both lawns look pretty ruddy good. Impressed with it

Thinking about getting a verticutter/scarifier compatible cylinder mower so was wondering if you (or anyone else) is finding that verticutting is worth the effort on an ongoing basis?

We went over to robot mowers for general mowing this year (and they’ve been doing a great job) but want to get the main lawns into better general condition over the coming year or so.

Plan is currently to hire a large scarifier later in the year, and probably hollow tine too, but looking at how to improve/keep condition through the summer.

[McGee_22]

With a break in the Surrey showers today I might get a chance to mow mine today.

Incidentally, my neighbour has a lawn area of somewhere between 3-400 sq metres and is thinking of sacking his gardener and getting a robot mower - it’s mostly flat but has one area with perhaps a 1 in 6 slope - any thoughts on whether a robot would cope with a lawn that size and an incline like that?

[LooneyTunes]

McGee_22 said:

With a break in the Surrey showers today I might get a chance to mow mine today.

Incidentally, my neighbour has a lawn area of somewhere between 3-400 sq metres and is thinking of sacking his gardener and getting a robot mower - it’s mostly flat but has one area with perhaps a 1 in 6 slope - any thoughts on whether a robot would cope with a lawn that size and an incline like that?

Our two robots (Husqvarna) are doing approx 2000sqm, a neighbour is doing a couple of acres. The largest husky can apparently do 19 acres… but it costs! IIRC, they also do some 4wd versions.

In theory we could get away with one, but walls and the absence of good transport paths between the two areas we have them mean that we have a small one doing a bit in the walled garden. They don’t work well under heavily shaded areas unless installing wires.

Best thing to do is to get the dealer to come and do a survey.

[Semmelweiss]

McGee_22 said:

With a break in the Surrey showers today I might get a chance to mow mine today.

Incidentally, my neighbour has a lawn area of somewhere between 3-400 sq metres and is thinking of sacking his gardener and getting a robot mower - it’s mostly flat but has one area with perhaps a 1 in 6 slope - any thoughts on whether a robot would cope with a lawn that size and an incline like that?

I have the Landroid M165E (500sq.m). Bought an aftermarket battery for £34 which takes it up to the WR167E.3 which is capable of 700sq.m

They easily cope with slopes. 3 years in and it's been faultless so far.

I have a verticut scarifier which I use early autumn and spring and in the area I live in, the ground is very sandy. The lawn recovers in 3-4 weeks after a heavy scarify. Grass is mostly rhizomatous fescue, with the usual poa dropped in by the birds. I have slowly moved away from rye as the dominant species (high maintenance and annual costs of seed).

[dhutch]

The Three D Mucketeer said:

Guaranteed way to stop it raining ....Put down lawn fertiliser .... Now I want it washed in , we just get cold dry winds .

Yes. I put some lawn sand down and had the same a fortnight ago. It did it's job but was burning a bit.

I then reluctantly watered all 500sqm 80sqm at a time three days later, which obviously triggered a week of wet weather.

[dudleybloke]

dhutch said:

The Three D Mucketeer said:

Guaranteed way to stop it raining ....Put down lawn fertiliser .... Now I want it washed in , we just get cold dry winds .

Yes. I put some lawn sand down and had the same a fortnight ago. It did it's job but was burning a bit.

I then reluctantly watered all 500sqm 80sqm at a time three days later, which obviously triggered a week of wet weather.

Oh yes, if I water the lawn it's bound to rain within the hour!