Lawncare - is this right?

[breamster]

Hi,

We are just trying to tidy up the garden a bit and our lawns are a bit rubbish. Approx 10m X 10m, full of divots, weeds, dead grass and lots and lots of moss.

Does this sound like a good plan?

1) Feed 'n Weed (applied yesterday before the heavy rain)
2) In approx two weeks, hire a scarifier type think to rake up as much as possible (bad back means doing it by hand would be a painful experience!).
3) Hire an aerator to improve the drainage.
4) Mix up topsoil and quality lawn seed and and brush it over the top to fill up the divots.

Back garden (approx 6m X 10m) is south-east facing but is on a corner plot so plenty of sunlight.
Front garden (approx 4m X 10m) is north-west facing and shielded but a 6ft+ hedge so plenty of light and bit less moss for whatever reason.

Good idea or bad idea? Not looking for bowling green finish (I have a 2 year old!) but would like it to be a little better.

How much topsoil would I need and how much seed should be mixed in?

Thanks.

P.S. Returfing sounds a better option but the budget won't stretch to it. Have spoken to local GreenThumb and they were very unhelpful so don't want to even consider them.

[Bonefish Blues]

Think you're too late for scarification and aeration - leave them to autumn.

Lots of lawncare calendars around like this: http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/techniques/lawn2.asp

...or do what many do, and get Green Thumb in to do it more cheaply than you could do it yourself.

[Simpo Two]

breamster said:

1) Feed 'n Weed (applied yesterday before the heavy rain)
2) In approx two weeks, hire a scarifier type think to rake up as much as possible

Raking is normally to remove moss and thatch, not a follow-up to weed and feed (unlss it has mosskiller too).

I gave up raking after I tried it once and my 'lawn' rolled up like a carpet leaving totally bare soil underneath!!

[breamster]

Yep - was moss killer as well.

I did consider Green Thumb until I spoke to them - I know it isn't typical but the person I spoke to was rude and unhelpful which I can't be bothered with.

Any ideas on the topsoil + seed idea?

I am fully expecting the lawn to look worse before it gets better. I deliberately "feeded 'n weeded" yesterday evening as rain was forecast. Wasn't expecting a flamin' monsoon though!!

[Simpo Two]

breamster said:

Any ideas on the topsoil + seed idea?

I am fully expecting the lawn to look worse before it gets better. I deliberately "feeded 'n weeded" yesterday evening as rain was forecast. Wasn't expecting a flamin' monsoon though!!

Yes, the best way to get a lawn even is to top-dress. If you do it in stages you shouldn't need seed as the existing grass will grow through.

If your feed and weed is liquid then applying it just before rain isn't wise as it will get washed off the weed's leaves and not fully absorbed. The flip side is granules, which can scorch the grass if left in baking sun for days, so do benefit from being watered in. Perverse ain't it!

[BliarOut]

You're probably better off leaving your top dressing till autumn unless you're not on a water meter