2023 Lawn Thread

[dhutch]

tiw75 said:

Stedman said:

Has poa really taken off for anyone else’s lawn this year?

yes, what is the best way of removing it?

I'm not an expert and very much open to advice myself, but basically as understand it, machanically.

So it's your scarifiy and overseed, to weaken the Poa and introduce preferred finer grasses.

That and cutting out chunks and patching them with new seed.

Verti cutting?

[dhutch]

JimM169 said:

Next issue is ant's nests, the lawn is riddled with them and the mower scalps them in places. They're left over from last year and not noticed any activity in them yet but what's the best way to deal with them?

Never had ants, but certainly if dormant, presumably deal with it as per any other hump. Remove the high spot, ground rake, scarifier, spade, level and overseed?

[dhutch]

glow worm said:

Stedman said:

Has poa really taken off for anyone else’s lawn this year?

My front lawn worse that my back lawn.... overseed with a good fescue... as stated you will never get rid if Poa Annua but you can increase the fescue or bent content by overseeding... I have just verti cut , which does cut the creeping grasses but after all grass is a rhizome , but I prefer the appearance of an upright sward .
Mowing at a low cut helps get rid of couch and coarse grasses.
The current cancer scares about weedkillers with glyphosate discourages me from using proprietary weedkillers like roundup.

What are you using the verti cut?

[dhutch]

r44flyer said:

SoliD said:

Where do people usually buy their seed from for overseeding?

Pitchcare for me. Went for this, this year and last...

https://www.pitchcare.com/shop/johnsons-j-nitro-pr...

Lawnsmiths for me, Ive been using their Staygreen we're on sandy soil. Don't have any to compare it to other than BnQ own brand but it seems to grow nicely.

[dhutch]

glow worm said:

dhutch said:

glow worm said:

Stedman said:

Has poa really taken off for anyone else’s lawn this year?

My front lawn worse that my back lawn.... overseed with a good fescue... as stated you will never get rid if Poa Annua but you can increase the fescue or bent content by overseeding... I have just verti cut , which does cut the creeping grasses but after all grass is a rhizome , but I prefer the appearance of an upright sward .
What are you using the verti cut?

An Allett QC verti cutting cassette in my Webb 14K mower (which is really an Allett)


https://youtu.be/A3lKIRNuIcE
In Summer I also use slitting tines in my SISIS Auto greensman

Interesting.

I have an ancient Sisis scarifier and have done some light passes in the past which I guess does similar especially as since a re-engine the blades spin a bit fast.

Nice video here.
https://youtu.be/A3lKIRNuIcE

[dhutch]

glow worm said:

Yeah, he didn't mention....Keep the front roller off the ground until you are on the grass, otherwise you'll have nice lines on your path and blunt vertical cutters...

Ha, fair enough.

I don't have a cylinder mower, got a Honda HRX 476, rotary with roller.

But it's the same for the Sisis ARR2.

[dhutch]

Looks a good improvement.

[dhutch]

You can pull small clumps out by hand.

[dhutch]

Seeking perfection is a dangerous game!

[dhutch]

renmure said:

dhutch said:

Seeking perfection is a dangerous game!

I'm quite relaxed about it all. I've moved into an odd street. I think all the other owners have gardeners or contractors. Everyone else's lawns are lush and green and lovely like Augusta fairways. I imagine they all started off the same but the previous owners here just left things to get on top of themselves and it looked a bit shabby in comparison. At least now I can keep on top of things and feed / weed / seed to my own satisfaction. The rear garden is as mossy and imperfect as the front was but it's nice enough for us and the 2 German Shepherds.

Absolutely. It was a somewhat tounge in cheek comment. I'm not very good at achieving balance, but sounds like your doing the right thing, and a nice 'family lawn' isnt difficult to achieve.

[dhutch]

Stedman said:

Does anyone here watch Daniel Hibbert’s YouTube channel?

I might use some of his products next time

I've watched a few recently. Certainly very interesting, although I think primarily he working to a higher cost/upkeep/perfection level than is practical for me. All his lawns are very closely kept, single variety, statement lawns from what I can see. Where you have to remove all soil to a good depth a rebuild from scratch, regular verticutting as the normal, lots of products, annual scaple and fully overseed. Etc.

Lovely thing, but not compatible with two dogs and multiple other commitments for my time and money!

[dhutch]

derek.j said:

Alright. I need a bit of advice with my lawn

I don't think it's even grass. What's the best way to turn this into a nice lawn

dudleybloke said:

Looks like a salad.
I would try a broad leaf weedkiller ....

Agree, impressive.

But as said, it's easy to take the broad leaf plants out with a normal selective 'Lawn' weed killer. This will take out the weeds but leave what grass you have. Typically a liquid put on with a backpack sprayer. Then spot treat with a head sprayer once your on top of it.

You would then want to overseed, ideally with top dressing, depending on how good and how much time and cost you want to put into it.
It's also getting a little bit late to overseed a larger lawn because you will struggle to keeping that area watered enough for the germination and early growth.

Another option is the 4in1 weed and feed type products, and while frowned upon by pros with the kit and those with already nice lawns who don't need all the parts, they are actually perfect for this sort of thing where you need everything, and easy to put on with a cheep rotary broadcast spreader, which you can then also used for seed and granular feed.

I think I would hit it with 4in1 first, as soon as practical, if maybe not right in the middle of this mini heatwave.
This will give the existing grass a chance, and show you what your left with.
Then this autumn you can scarify and overseed the lot.

If you want to oversee some smaller area or thinner patches which are small enough you can water in the mean time do that too. Covering with polythene works well for water retention, as long as it's not too hot and cooks the grass. But sheeting for fleecing that whole area also isn't really practical.

Welcome and good luck!

[dhutch]

Portofino said:

Moving house recently I’ve inherited a very nice back garden grass & plant wise.

However I have three dogs & the grass is getting burnt from their piss at an ever increasing rate as the weather has got better & we’re outside more.

Any tips for minimising this short of following them around all the time with a watering can!

Yeah basically, no.

Best we got was when my partner was taking them for a walk first thing every morning and they went on the road.

Else teach them to pee in a certain area. Not easy, but works for some.

[dhutch]

glow worm said:

Are you on a water meter ?

Are you suggesting more would be better?
I'm not very experienced with turf, it I looks to be ok?

[dhutch]

gazapc said:

I assume he means check the meter before and after.

Ahh. Cunning!

[dhutch]

Yeah, I couldn't get the stops to work either.

Most gardens are square in the corners, so I find the rectangular oscillator types better.

I have thought about setting myself up with a 3/4" or even 1" hose for various reasons, but actually don't really have the use for it, and try not to water the lawn much.

Obviously you then need a tap to connect it to, with a 22mm supply not 15mm back to your stopcock.

Edited by dhutch on Tuesday 30th May 21:35

[dhutch]

M1AGM said:

Unless it's a bowling green I'd crack on and get it cut.

Yeah, if it's growing, cut it.

Ours it's that dry already it's not growing at all over most of the lawn. Just the bits that get shade from the mid-day sun.

[dhutch]

I was literally going to post on her to ask if anyone is using a wetting agent and what brands they suggest for an affordable solution.

[dhutch]

Weedol weed killer, in the red bottle, is indeed I believe glphosate.

However I assume the poster actually used 'Weedol Lawn' in the green bottle, which I believe is a selective herbicide.

[dhutch]

leef44 said:

I looked at the instructions on the wetting agent. something like 20ml per litre to cover 10m2. How do you spread 1 litre of fluid across 10m2? My watering can would disperse that much liquid too quickly to cover 10m2.

Do you use a sprayer?

I guess that is designed for a sprayer isn't it, as that is what most 'pros' would use.
If putting it on with a watering can and bar sprinklers, I would dilute it further to get the required application rate.