2016 Lawn thread
Discussion
MX51ROD said:
Starting to deal with our lawn today
We have about 2-3 ins of top soil on London clay ,so the grass is either bone dry and tufty with brown patches or a quagmire ,so first is a turf lifter to remove whats left of the lawn , then deep rotovation with a hire shop rotovator to get down 8-10 ins then over a period of time with a smaller rotovator ( shop-soiled but new with warrantee from ebay )break the soil down with continual passes and mix organic matter and sand /grit in to improve drainage .
Then in a couple of weeks time hopefully lay the new turf , slight problem is the turf cutting season is winding down
So the lawn and stage one
Turf lifted no problem
But then it starts , firstly due to access problems , we were limited to the type of rotovator we could use , Link only as rain has stopped play
https://www.hss.com/hire/p/power-digger-rotavator
The hard compacted clay , made the rotovator we have skip over the surface , so it is taking many passes to break down the soil, more passes tomorrow in the hope we will get deep enough
To be cont ......
have a google of 'dry patch' as thats why you will have areas that are bone dry despite the wet weather. forking and soaking with washing up water will help get water back into it and make it easier to rotavate.We have about 2-3 ins of top soil on London clay ,so the grass is either bone dry and tufty with brown patches or a quagmire ,so first is a turf lifter to remove whats left of the lawn , then deep rotovation with a hire shop rotovator to get down 8-10 ins then over a period of time with a smaller rotovator ( shop-soiled but new with warrantee from ebay )break the soil down with continual passes and mix organic matter and sand /grit in to improve drainage .
Then in a couple of weeks time hopefully lay the new turf , slight problem is the turf cutting season is winding down
So the lawn and stage one
Turf lifted no problem
But then it starts , firstly due to access problems , we were limited to the type of rotovator we could use , Link only as rain has stopped play
https://www.hss.com/hire/p/power-digger-rotavator
The hard compacted clay , made the rotovator we have skip over the surface , so it is taking many passes to break down the soil, more passes tomorrow in the hope we will get deep enough
To be cont ......
Better weather to day , so more passes with machine and getting better results , now getting small clods
A few more passes and soil now looking a lot better
Having now mixed in about 2cu metres of home produced compost we added sand/grit and compost (OH works in a garden centre , so GOOD discount )
Finally some raking to start levelling process , we are also going to add additional sand , which will be mixed in with the new lightweight rotovator
That will be over the next week , with final leveling next weekend , turf will be ordered for 2 weeks time
A few more passes and soil now looking a lot better
Having now mixed in about 2cu metres of home produced compost we added sand/grit and compost (OH works in a garden centre , so GOOD discount )
Finally some raking to start levelling process , we are also going to add additional sand , which will be mixed in with the new lightweight rotovator
That will be over the next week , with final leveling next weekend , turf will be ordered for 2 weeks time
Rib said:
have a google of 'dry patch' as thats why you will have areas that are bone dry despite the wet weather. forking and soaking with washing up water will help get water back into it and make it easier to rotavate.
Sorry posts crossed in ether , machine managed to break down to about 20cm so mission acomplished Just to add 2 or 3 hours later and the local cats find our newly softend ground to their liking GRRR
super soaker at the ready
Edited by MX51ROD on Sunday 2nd October 19:22
Water to dilute the urine on the ground is the only thing that really works to prevent burn. A good watering can's worth on each spot as soon as the dog has finished its business should be enough, although in spells of dry weather I'd use more.
Green-UM tablets seem to help a little from what I've seen but I'd still water the urine in afterwards, especially in dry weather.
Green-UM tablets seem to help a little from what I've seen but I'd still water the urine in afterwards, especially in dry weather.
Some advice sought from the PH lawn experts if you will. Our front garden is a touch problematic what little soil there is is heavy clay which drys out very quickly in the spring the grass gets a chance and is pretty good but at the end of the summer as you can see below it struggles not helped by the trees stealing all the water.
So what action can I take over the next 6 months to give it a better chance this time next year? Really don't want to rip it up and start again with drought resistant grass.
So what action can I take over the next 6 months to give it a better chance this time next year? Really don't want to rip it up and start again with drought resistant grass.
Nothing you can do if the trees are taking the water and the ground is cracking no mixing of soil will solve this you just have to water massive amounts I have the same under an apple tree and once a week I just leave a hosepipe going for 30 mins against the trunk and basically flood the garden until its waterlogged. It looks awful at the time but by the next day its been absorbed and just looks damp again.
Mrs. RC1807 purchased a scarifier the w/e before last, and was busy, busy whilst I was away on business. 
Mowed, not too short.
Scarified.
Used mower to "vaccuum" rubbish up.
Scarified, again.
Used mower to "vaccuum" rubbish up, again.
Apparently that was 16 grass box emptyings, but it's only 3 when I mow!
Areas that were then a little bare have been composted, reseeded, well watered - also rained upon - with feeding inbetween, in the last week. I hope the seed takes before my clay type soil garden becomes too soggy this winter!
Mowed, not too short.
Scarified.
Used mower to "vaccuum" rubbish up.
Scarified, again.
Used mower to "vaccuum" rubbish up, again.
Apparently that was 16 grass box emptyings, but it's only 3 when I mow!
Areas that were then a little bare have been composted, reseeded, well watered - also rained upon - with feeding inbetween, in the last week. I hope the seed takes before my clay type soil garden becomes too soggy this winter!
mikeiow said:
Perhaps cut the grass a notch higher on the mower?
Looks like you have it down to a fairly low height: looks neat, but if you left it a bit higher you may well find it stays a bit greener.....well, that is what I find & our subsoil is quite clay-based....
I'd agree with this. Keeping the grass longer makes it much more resistant to, well, pretty much everything. Cutting it that short is fine if everything else is perfect and you have the time to commit to it, but it's amazing the difference that an extra cm or two of length will make to a struggling lawn.Looks like you have it down to a fairly low height: looks neat, but if you left it a bit higher you may well find it stays a bit greener.....well, that is what I find & our subsoil is quite clay-based....
The soil was raked flat ready for a top dressing of sand before final prep , but the local cats had other ideas , came home this afternoon to one having some personal time in the middle of the patch leaving a large hole
I think this will do the trick
I think this will do the trick
Edited by MX51ROD on Thursday 6th October 17:38
Edited by MX51ROD on Thursday 6th October 17:45
BFO scarifier booked and coming tomorrow. Both sons, wifey and daughter booked for Saturday. Short grass cut tomorrow late afternoon ready for Saturday. B4 and after pics coming Saturday evening.
Starting point. Got 117 small waste bags last time, going to use builder bags this time. Loads of moss and thatch to get out. Looks a lot better than it is.
Starting point. Got 117 small waste bags last time, going to use builder bags this time. Loads of moss and thatch to get out. Looks a lot better than it is.
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