2020 Lawn thread

[Craikeybaby]

First cut of the year yesterday, as the grass was getting really long. It looks like with all the rain the sections I reclaimed from the flower beds a few years back have compacted, so more topsoil needed. That will be a job for later in the spring though.

[Mr E]

My cat is drinking out of the puddles on my lawn. I believe it to be fked.

(The lawn, not the cat)

[RC1807]

Craikeybaby said:

First cut of the year yesterday, as the grass was getting really long. It looks like with all the rain the sections I reclaimed from the flower beds a few years back have compacted, so more topsoil needed. That will be a job for later in the spring though.

Wow!
We had snow on Thursday, which melted in the sun yesterday. Now, it's pouring with rain and will all day.
I think it will be some time before I can put the mower over my garden....Easter, maybe....

[CelebrationSport]

First cut of the year done in sunny Wakefield

Edited by CelebrationSport on Sunday 1st March 11:12

[8-P]

Cut mine last weekend but that’s not the first time this year (south coast).

Scarification next, give it 3 weeks.

[mikees]

8-P said:

Cut mine last weekend but that’s not the first time this year (south coast).

Scarification next, give it 3 weeks.

I came on here to ask that question. I was gonna have a go next weekend but suspect its too early.

3 weeks sounds more like it

M

[sammyb349]

Aerated mine a fortnight ago

Cut mine today - lovely day for it.

Weed and feed next weekend

[GTO-3R]

Gave mine its first cut yesterday as the weather was good and the grass was getting long! I’ve got a serious amount of moss going on due to the wet winter and me not scarifying last year

Has anyone tried the Bosch 1100 AVR Scarifier and aerator and got some feedback? It’s won plenty of awards so must be decent.

[Alex L]

Moved into our new house in late Sept and cut the grass three times before sticking the mower on trickle charge in November.

First cut of the year yesterday, a little boggy in places where water has been standing for some time and still not fully drained away.

It’s pretty mossy at the top of the garden so will buy a towable scarifier. I mulch the grass so I don’t end up with a mountain of cuttings.

Untitled by Alex L, on Flickr

[WinstonWolf]

Very nice

[alistair1234]

Anyone seen the Aldi scarifier deal? £60 in this week’s special deals, online only.

Really need to do my lawns as they are both very shaded during winter and have large parts that are very mossy.

Is it too early to do yet? I understand it may be too early to seed, but will it do any harm scarifying now?

[jagnet]

Scarify once the grass comes out of dormancy and starts growing.

[hornmeister]

alistair1234 said:

Anyone seen the Aldi scarifier deal? £60 in this week’s special deals, online only.

Really need to do my lawns as they are both very shaded during winter and have large parts that are very mossy.

Is it too early to do yet? I understand it may be too early to seed, but will it do any harm scarifying now?

I picked up one of these last year - Seems decent
https://www.amazon.co.uk/VonHaus-Lawn-Scarifier-El...

imho it's too early to scarify. It's not warm enough for seed germination (London) and we could get a frost which will kill off any young grass growth. If you've got bare patches it's risks weeds.
I'm holding off for a month

[OtherBusiness]

Yes too early to scarify. Check out the March Lawnsmith diary here https://www.lawnsmith.co.uk/lawn-diary/march-lawn-...

[ACRP]

GTO-3R said:

Gave mine its first cut yesterday as the weather was good and the grass was getting long! I’ve got a serious amount of moss going on due to the wet winter and me not scarifying last year

Has anyone tried the Bosch 1100 AVR Scarifier and aerator and got some feedback? It’s won plenty of awards so must be decent.

Yes it is a good machine. It isn't a scarifier or aerator. It vertically cuts into the grass/soil. Unless you are planning a renovation I wouldn't use this in Spring. Kill moss with iron then gentle feeding (not weed and feed) in April, May, June. You could overseed in April to fill the gaps left by the dead moss.

Pros
Has multiple settings of verticutting heights so you can decide how much you want to cut into the turf and or soil
Electric so no need for petrol/oil/maintenance
Easy to use
Verticutter

Cons
Lacks power so the motor will cut out if it gets too worked up
The collection box is a joke, fills up quickly and the plastic clips come apart easily. They don't break but you will need to constantly fix
Light weight, causing the machine to sometimes jump up. Not a huge issue though
Not a pure scarifier

There aren't any machines on the market at this price which does a similar job. I'm relatively happy with mine and has served me well for a couple of years.

[dhutch]

ACRP said:

GTO-3R said:

Gave mine its first cut yesterday as the weather was good and the grass was getting long! I’ve got a serious amount of moss going on due to the wet winter and me not scarifying last year

Has anyone tried the Bosch 1100 AVR Scarifier and aerator and got some feedback? It’s won plenty of awards so must be decent.

Yes it is a good machine. It isn't a scarifier or aerator. It vertically cuts into the grass/soil. Unless you are planning a renovation I wouldn't use this in Spring. Kill moss with iron then gentle feeding (not weed and feed) in April, May, June. You could overseed in April to fill the gaps left by the dead moss.

Pros
Has multiple settings of verticutting heights so you can decide how much you want to cut into the turf and or soil
Electric so no need for petrol/oil/maintenance
Easy to use
Verticutter

Cons
Lacks power so the motor will cut out if it gets too worked up
The collection box is a joke, fills up quickly and the plastic clips come apart easily. They don't break but you will need to constantly fix
Light weight, causing the machine to sometimes jump up. Not a huge issue though
Not a pure scarifier

There aren't any machines on the market at this price which does a similar job. I'm relatively happy with mine and has served me well for a couple of years.

We have the Bosch ALR 900, which is spring-tine lawn-rake version. Its good for raking out dead moss, loose thatch, dog urine patches, pine needles etc, and for the money I cant fault it. The collector isn't big, but I haven't had issues with it falling to bits. Our lawn is about 200m^2 and it will rake the lot, filling 2-3wheely bins full without the motor tripping. However it doesn't get right to the bottom and certainly doesn't do an aerating/cutting to the point where I have considered hiring a petrol machine for a weekend to see how that does. The red flex fades in minutes if you leave it by the shed window!

My knowledge of what grass likes and needs is developing from a low base, but as far as it goes it rakes well for a small plastic electric machine.


Daniel

[morfmedia]

Been watching a few episodes of the lawn care nut on YouTube.

Do we have such a thing as pre emergent weed killer or is that. Effectively what weed and feed is?

Just wanted to check as I am keen to wipe out as many weeds in advance as possible.

[JohnBRG]

combat echo said:

I'm totally fed up with the drainage in my boggy silt/clay lawn but I have no option of installing french drains etc. On my research for options, I came across blog that they used a post hole auger to improve drainage and filling the holes with compost with good results.

Before I start digging 100+ 15cm x 1m deep holes in my small lawn is this a good idea? Would a well rotted manure/ sharp sand/pea shingle mix be better than using 100% manure?

I have same problem and would be interested to know if anyone has any thoughts on this.

[DonkeyApple]

JohnBRG said:

combat echo said:

I'm totally fed up with the drainage in my boggy silt/clay lawn but I have no option of installing french drains etc. On my research for options, I came across blog that they used a post hole auger to improve drainage and filling the holes with compost with good results.

Before I start digging 100+ 15cm x 1m deep holes in my small lawn is this a good idea? Would a well rotted manure/ sharp sand/pea shingle mix be better than using 100% manure?

I have same problem and would be interested to know if anyone has any thoughts on this.

I lived most of my life on London clay. The key is to get through the clay layer. If it’s possible to find the low spot of the lawn o would be inclined to dig down there first to see how deep you need to go to get through the clay and then consider turning it into a Paris. One big French hole.

[jagnet]

morfmedia said:

Do we have such a thing as pre emergent weed killer or is that.

No. Not approved for use in the EU.