2016 Lawn thread
Discussion
Lawnsmith's May Lawn Care Diary makes mention of April's cooler temperatures causing issues with seeding, so if it's any consolation you're not alone in having struggled with it this month.
Well I couldnt stand it any more and mowed both lawns today, seed and all.
Mower set at medium and amazingly most of the seed is still on the lawn, I guess its embedded in the ground thanks to 3 weeks of rain and cold.
It had got so long that I think if I hadnt mowed it would have been blocking the light for the new grass/seeds to be.
Im planning on watching what happens if the temps increase but think I may do the whole job again but with shady seed this time. I dont mind watering so will wait until its genuinely warm and the sun is at its highest to try and get it on the shady side.
Mower set at medium and amazingly most of the seed is still on the lawn, I guess its embedded in the ground thanks to 3 weeks of rain and cold.
It had got so long that I think if I hadnt mowed it would have been blocking the light for the new grass/seeds to be.
Im planning on watching what happens if the temps increase but think I may do the whole job again but with shady seed this time. I dont mind watering so will wait until its genuinely warm and the sun is at its highest to try and get it on the shady side.
Thanks to following some of the advice on here my neighbour was grilling me today as our lawns look great (to her) & how does she get rid of the masses of moss & make theirs look as good lol!
Have mowed today (too low, not used to new mower yet) but will wait for it to warm up then buy some grass seed to overseed. Have been filling dips & divots most of the afternoon, bloody thread!
Have mowed today (too low, not used to new mower yet) but will wait for it to warm up then buy some grass seed to overseed. Have been filling dips & divots most of the afternoon, bloody thread!
Gave my lawn a light raking/scarification yesterday then treated with a strong ferrous sulphate solution. Ill give it a week or 2 before a proper scarification then intend to overseed.
I would like to fit in a whole lawn weedkiller treatment at some point, when would be the best time to do this?
I would like to fit in a whole lawn weedkiller treatment at some point, when would be the best time to do this?
Cheib said:
Can someone recommend a pedestrian fertilizer spreader ? Have a lot of lawn to cover so needs to be decent size! Seem to vary massively in price....
I bought one of these for £80 , can't fault it so far. http://www.thehandy.co.uk/portfolio/the-handy-80lb...
taaffy said:
Cheib said:
Can someone recommend a pedestrian fertilizer spreader ? Have a lot of lawn to cover so needs to be decent size! Seem to vary massively in price....
I bought one of these for £80 , can't fault it so far. http://www.thehandy.co.uk/portfolio/the-handy-80lb...
Patch1875 said:
Ruttager said:
Do you have a dog perchance? Might be where its going about its business and scorching the grass?
I'd just dig it out a little, dig in some decent topsoil and reseed.
Looks burnt by fertiliser to me, have you put any on?I'd just dig it out a little, dig in some decent topsoil and reseed.
Patch1875 said:
Looks burnt by fertiliser to me, have you put any on?
I'm not convinced. The pattern of dead grass doesn't fit with fertiliser burn - you'd expect the burning to be in long, straight line streaks where it's been over-applied with a spreader, rather than the occasional random blob as can be seen in some parts of that lawn. I don't see how a spreader would give those blobs, or the irregular shape of the main area of dieback.When I first saw that picture, my thought was "dog, but would it really be that severe?"
In the light of Richyboy's certainty that it's not dogs, that leaves foxes - the effect would be the same, but they must really be having a wee-fest in your garden! I have heard that you can discourage foxes by using male human urine - I'd suggesting peeing into a watering can and watering the borders (not the grass!) near where you think they might be entering the garden.
The other question that occurred to me was why is there some moistening of the patio paving slabs adjacent to the brown patches. Had you just watered the brown patches prior to taking the picture, in an effort to revive the grass? Or had you treated the grass with something else (in which case it would be useful to know what)?
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Monday 2nd May 01:38
Good weather alert!!
The following is a screenshot from WeatherPro on my iPad, showing the weather for Surrey starting from next weekend.
Note the lovely warm daytime temperatures, the mild nights, and the regular rain showers. In short, this looks like a period of ideal grass seed germination weather!
I for one intend to be sowing the rest of the repair patches where I've dug out clumps of crabgrass, and reseed some other areas at the edges of the lawn that got shaded out by overhanging foliage last year. I'll be sowing this coming week in order to catch the decent weather the following week.
The following is a screenshot from WeatherPro on my iPad, showing the weather for Surrey starting from next weekend.
Note the lovely warm daytime temperatures, the mild nights, and the regular rain showers. In short, this looks like a period of ideal grass seed germination weather!
I for one intend to be sowing the rest of the repair patches where I've dug out clumps of crabgrass, and reseed some other areas at the edges of the lawn that got shaded out by overhanging foliage last year. I'll be sowing this coming week in order to catch the decent weather the following week.
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
Good weather alert!!
The following is a screenshot from WeatherPro on my iPad, showing the weather for Surrey starting from next weekend.
Note the lovely warm daytime temperatures, the mild nights, and the regular rain showers. In short, this looks like a period of ideal grass seed germination weather!
I for one intend to be sowing the rest of the repair patches where I've dug out clumps of crabgrass, and reseed some other areas at the edges of the lawn that got shaded out by overhanging foliage last year. I'll be sowing this coming week in order to catch the decent weather the following week.
This is the weather I should have waited for but captain optimistic and impatient had to do it there and then. The following is a screenshot from WeatherPro on my iPad, showing the weather for Surrey starting from next weekend.
Note the lovely warm daytime temperatures, the mild nights, and the regular rain showers. In short, this looks like a period of ideal grass seed germination weather!
I for one intend to be sowing the rest of the repair patches where I've dug out clumps of crabgrass, and reseed some other areas at the edges of the lawn that got shaded out by overhanging foliage last year. I'll be sowing this coming week in order to catch the decent weather the following week.
haggishunter]immyarm said:
Screwfix have the well reviewed Titan scarifier on the deal of the day, down to £69.99.
Really tempted as I have a £10 off voucher to use as well 
Quick question, the lawn has never seen a scarifier judging by the state of it. Should I start off high, let it recover for a few days and go lower or can I just plough straight onto the lowest setting and overseed ?
it's never going to be a bowling green with the dogs running about on it but it's patchy and mossy which is irritating me !
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