2017 Lawn thread
Discussion
Ye chuck the bag in the bin, go up and down and rake up after (or even better have the kids following and picking it up 😂😂
As a side note, today's rain fall meant I could get out and do the majority of my remaining nematode treatments, over 3 billion of them today! I'm cream crackered but at least they will be well watered in!
As a side note, today's rain fall meant I could get out and do the majority of my remaining nematode treatments, over 3 billion of them today! I'm cream crackered but at least they will be well watered in!
My lawn has gone from this at the beginning of the month:
New grass by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
To this:
Reseeded Lawn by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
The section on the left is the new area of lawn, it looks really impressive from the side, but less so close up:
New Lawn Closeup by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
The sections where I killed off the weed grasses haven't fared too well, with only slight new growth:
Old Lawn Closeup by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Maybe I didn't scarify these areas enough I scattered the remnants of the box of seeds last weekend, but I guess now I have to wait until the spring to do anything.
Also, what should I do about mowing the lawn now? It is starting to get quite long, but I am concerned about the bare patches. The whole lawn was oversewed about 4 weeks ago.
New grass by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
To this:
Reseeded Lawn by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
The section on the left is the new area of lawn, it looks really impressive from the side, but less so close up:
New Lawn Closeup by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
The sections where I killed off the weed grasses haven't fared too well, with only slight new growth:
Old Lawn Closeup by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Maybe I didn't scarify these areas enough I scattered the remnants of the box of seeds last weekend, but I guess now I have to wait until the spring to do anything.
Also, what should I do about mowing the lawn now? It is starting to get quite long, but I am concerned about the bare patches. The whole lawn was oversewed about 4 weeks ago.
Craikeybaby said:
I’d also say that you could get away with mowing that, with your mower on its tallest setting (or whatever height just starts to take half an inch off that new grass). I’d whip the blade off first and give it a good sharpening with a metal file until it’s sharp enough to make you bleed, then go for it.
I’ve just got back from a few days away in Wensleydale (Grommet!), and my overseeded lawn is showing good signs of germination. It’s also showing good signs of recovery from scarification. It’s about ten days since I sowed, which is about right. Just hope the new grass can get established before it gets really cold.
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Friday 27th October 18:33
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
...It’s about ten days since I sowed, which is about right...
Out of interest, I repaired some damaged areas of lawn last weekend, we've had a lot of builders and some of them just can't resist reversing their trucks onto the grass near our front garden. I know it's getting late in the season but I thought I'd try to tidy it before the winter and then attack it again in the spring. So far, 1 week in there's no sign of germination yet we've had some warm weather and damp drizzle rain. On days like today, when it doesn't rain, should I water it or is the moisture in the soil sufficient at this time of year? RichB said:
On days like today, when it doesn't rain, should I water it or is the moisture in the soil sufficient at this time of year?
A lot of the time, I’d say the moisture in the soil is good enough to see you through a rain-free day or two at this time of year, especially if you managed to cover your seed with a thin layer of compost or similar. But it depends on the weather - a warmer, sunnier day, or a windy day will dry the surface of the soil more. If in doubt, give it a short 15 minute sprinkling, but don’t drown it!That said, I’ve been away for three days and I don’t think there’s been any significant rain in Surrey, but my lawn is still showing signs of germination. I did give it a sprinkling before I left, and I’ve given it a half hour sprinkling this afternoon. I think it’s going to be okay.
Hang in there - a week is still a bit short to expect germination. Mine, after ten days, is only showing signs if you look very closely.
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Friday 27th October 19:49
I think im going to give up making mine look good. Its been scarified, fertilised, had the moss killed and removed for the last couple of years and all that happens is moss comes back time and time again.
Annoyingly the council verge at the bottom of the path doesnt have any moss at all.
Will just keep it cut, there is obviously something wrong with my soil chemistry, but without soil testing and then changing the nutrient profile I dont know what.
Annoyingly the council verge at the bottom of the path doesnt have any moss at all.
Will just keep it cut, there is obviously something wrong with my soil chemistry, but without soil testing and then changing the nutrient profile I dont know what.
Craikeybaby said:
Maybe I didn't scarify these areas enough I scattered the remnants of the box of seeds last weekend, but I guess now I have to wait until the spring to do anything.
Also, what should I do about mowing the lawn now? It is starting to get quite long, but I am concerned about the bare patches. The whole lawn was oversewed about 4 weeks ago.
That's a fair start. Now mow it, and forget about it 'til Spring unless it stays warm - in which case you may need to mow it again. Then scarify again and re-seed the bare patches. Also, what should I do about mowing the lawn now? It is starting to get quite long, but I am concerned about the bare patches. The whole lawn was oversewed about 4 weeks ago.
Condi said:
I think im going to give up making mine look good. Its been scarified, fertilised, had the moss killed and removed for the last couple of years and all that happens is moss comes back time and time again.
Annoyingly the council verge at the bottom of the path doesnt have any moss at all.
Will just keep it cut, there is obviously something wrong with my soil chemistry, but without soil testing and then changing the nutrient profile I dont know what.
You won't ever stop moss all together but it's not generally too hard to keep it at bay. Annoyingly the council verge at the bottom of the path doesnt have any moss at all.
Will just keep it cut, there is obviously something wrong with my soil chemistry, but without soil testing and then changing the nutrient profile I dont know what.
Key things I'd say:
Get it growing as thick and healthy in the spring and summer, a thick healthy lawn won't give much h room for moss to get in. That mean cutting no less than an inch and as often as possible, the more you cut it generally the thicker it will grow.
Treat for moss early on in the autumn once you start seeing it appear, this will help to stop it spreading so much and I'd then do it again around Xmas time. (not using an all in one feed weed s
te) I'd usually recommend heavy scarifications early autumn followed by a moss Control if it's very spongy and thatchy or go over it lightly in the spring.
Soil type, is it sandy? Clay? Does the grass grow well? Clay can obviously help moss thrive as it holds the moisture better, but acidic sandy soils can be a haven for a different kind of moss and dry patch again can allow it to thrive as the water will just sit on the top rather than drain through to the root zone.
If your really not sure, try getting a couple of lawn treatment company's come and do a survey for you. I often go to people like yourself and can see the problem straight away, depends if you just get a salesman come or someone who actually knows lawns.
appropriate for the weekendDr Mike Oxgreen said:
Craikeybaby said:
I’d also say that you could get away with mowing that, with your mower on its tallest setting (or whatever height just starts to take half an inch off that new grass). I’d whip the blade off first and give it a good sharpening with a metal file until it’s sharp enough to make you bleed, then go for it.
I’ve just got back from a few days away in Wensleydale (Grommet!), and my overseeded lawn is showing good signs of germination. It’s also showing good signs of recovery from scarification. It’s about ten days since I sowed, which is about right. Just hope the new grass can get established before it gets really cold.
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Friday 27th October 18:33
popeyewhite said:
Craikeybaby said:
Maybe I didn't scarify these areas enough I scattered the remnants of the box of seeds last weekend, but I guess now I have to wait until the spring to do anything.
Also, what should I do about mowing the lawn now? It is starting to get quite long, but I am concerned about the bare patches. The whole lawn was oversewed about 4 weeks ago.
That's a fair start. Now mow it, and forget about it 'til Spring unless it stays warm - in which case you may need to mow it again. Then scarify again and re-seed the bare patches. Also, what should I do about mowing the lawn now? It is starting to get quite long, but I am concerned about the bare patches. The whole lawn was oversewed about 4 weeks ago.
It seems to be doing OK though and the patches are slowly filling in:
Autmn cut by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Well, we've had some landscaping done this year, which meant the lawn had some fresh seeding....and a month or so ago I did my first ever 'proper' scarify/overseeding, & after leaving the new seed to grow, did a couple of high cuts this week....very happy with the result, guess this perhaps needs leaving for winter now (depending on conditions over the next week or three!)
From this back in June:
to this today
From this back in June:
to this today
Also be sure to try and mow is different lines each time, I often see lawns with 4 wheeled petrol mowers having grooves in them as they always sit the wheels in the same channels. Not a problem usually with electric as they're lighter but petrol can cause issues. If you ever replace it get one with a roller on the back.
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