2020 Lawn thread
Discussion
Dr Murdoch said:
I applied autumn fertilizer yesterday (Lawnsmith if that makes a difference), can I apply iron sulphate today, or should I wait?
Yes you can apply Ferrous Sulphate without concern. The rate will depend on the intention, to kill moss or give the grass a green-up tonic. After a little bit of advice.
Started to sort the garden this year and managed to get some of the top of the lawn seeded at the start of September.
As you can see by the pictures it has taken off well, there was a large pond at the top of the garden, which is now filled in, around the edge of what was the old pond is starting to get yellow, this part wasn't dug over deep.
Is there anything I can put on it to green it up or is it too late/ the grass still to young to put anything on it?
Started to sort the garden this year and managed to get some of the top of the lawn seeded at the start of September.
As you can see by the pictures it has taken off well, there was a large pond at the top of the garden, which is now filled in, around the edge of what was the old pond is starting to get yellow, this part wasn't dug over deep.
Is there anything I can put on it to green it up or is it too late/ the grass still to young to put anything on it?
Robert.A said:
Is there anything I can put on it to green it up or is it too late/ the grass still to young to put anything on it?
Strange that nobody has replied, so I'll dive in...If your grass was seeded at the start of September then it should be ready for anything by now.
Your options are 1) Ferrous sulphate, diluted and applied using a sprayer (about 200 grammes of ferrous sulphate per 100 sq m dissolved into enough water to cover the lawn), and/or 2) if you're in the south of England, it's still not too late yet to apply an autumn lawn feed (low nitrogen), especially in these mild conditions we've been having. In Scotland or the north of England it's starting to look a bit too late.
Ferrous sulphate has the additional benefit of acidifying the top layer of soil, which discourages worms from surfacing, hence reducing casting.
South east here. Is it still too late for a weed kill? Had some bad bare patches following building works but forked holes, reseeded etc but loads of weeds have come through also. Small headed stuff like clover and something that looks a little like parsley leaves?
Don’t want it to take over through the winter...
Don’t want it to take over through the winter...
BigRickus said:
South east here. Is it still too late for a weed kill? Had some bad bare patches following building works but forked holes, reseeded etc but loads of weeds have come through also. Small headed stuff like clover and something that looks a little like parsley leaves?
Don’t want it to take over through the winter...
It probably is too late for weed killing. You could give it a try though.Don’t want it to take over through the winter...
But the weeds are not likely to take over during the winter. They won’t be growing, for the same reason that the grass won’t.
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
It probably is too late for weed killing. You could give it a try though.
But the weeds are not likely to take over during the winter. They won’t be growing, for the same reason that the grass won’t.
Thanks for the reply. Is there a chance the weed killer (likely verdone) could damage the grass or is there nothing to loose by trying? But the weeds are not likely to take over during the winter. They won’t be growing, for the same reason that the grass won’t.
I likethe clover in my lawn. Feels great underfoot and helps the grass. I am also told it is a sign of a healthy lawn, but this may be rubbish.
Have been mechanically removing bigger weeds periodically. I have a Fiskars weed pulling gadget that makes this as easy as you like and quite fun.
Have been mechanically removing bigger weeds periodically. I have a Fiskars weed pulling gadget that makes this as easy as you like and quite fun.
I've made some progress with the front lawn.
Not great but miles better.
I moved in at the start of the year so my first attempt with a garden, I now sorta know what to do an what not to.
But then we come on to the back garden that I inherited with the property.
I viewed the property at night, this is sorta what greeted me in the dark with a phone as a flashlight and from the estate agent photos.
On closer inspection.
I've managed to clear it most, and just really want to grass it for now. The problem is up the back was full of brambles, jaggies, trees. Do I dig this soil up and replace or rotovate it and reuse. Problem is the soil is mainly clay below and its a slightly raised section at the back, i'd like to make it flat as possible. Everything has been cleared to allow maximum light as before there was none and no chance of grass growing throughout.
Not great but miles better.
I moved in at the start of the year so my first attempt with a garden, I now sorta know what to do an what not to.
But then we come on to the back garden that I inherited with the property.
I viewed the property at night, this is sorta what greeted me in the dark with a phone as a flashlight and from the estate agent photos.
On closer inspection.
I've managed to clear it most, and just really want to grass it for now. The problem is up the back was full of brambles, jaggies, trees. Do I dig this soil up and replace or rotovate it and reuse. Problem is the soil is mainly clay below and its a slightly raised section at the back, i'd like to make it flat as possible. Everything has been cleared to allow maximum light as before there was none and no chance of grass growing throughout.
wjwren said:
Id be hiring a rotavator in the spring for that ^
I had the same issue. Hired a rotavator and a machine that got stones out, cant think of the name but it was like a large washing machine. Few large bags of decent soil and then seeded.
I've managed to get the tree stumps out as best as I can in that area by pick-axing around the base and using a reciprocating saw, will the rotavator mash through what's left? How far down does it go. Do I have to wait until spring.I had the same issue. Hired a rotavator and a machine that got stones out, cant think of the name but it was like a large washing machine. Few large bags of decent soil and then seeded.
A better view of the area
Harry Flashman said:
I likethe clover in my lawn. Feels great underfoot and helps the grass. I am also told it is a sign of a healthy lawn, but this may be rubbish.
Have been mechanically removing bigger weeds periodically. I have a Fiskars weed pulling gadget that makes this as easy as you like and quite fun.
Saw these in B&Q.Have been mechanically removing bigger weeds periodically. I have a Fiskars weed pulling gadget that makes this as easy as you like and quite fun.
So far our grass was laid in the summer and no weeds have reared their ugly heads. However i need to be prepared!
Does this gadget also work with small weeds? watched a youtube and seems to be very good on large clumps...
^ Mine is clay as well and the problem with wet months is that it get wet. Very wet, and ive had seed go off because of it. If you only want to do it once then I'd wait til spring.
2 years ago I had building work and the lawn was a mud bath. I levelled it all off in winter then let it settle and sorted it come Spring.
2 years ago I had building work and the lawn was a mud bath. I levelled it all off in winter then let it settle and sorted it come Spring.
wjwren said:
^ Mine is clay as well and the problem with wet months is that it get wet. Very wet, and ive had seed go off because of it. If you only want to do it once then I'd wait til spring.
2 years ago I had building work and the lawn was a mud bath. I levelled it all off in winter then let it settle and sorted it come Spring.
Smashing thanks for that. 2 years ago I had building work and the lawn was a mud bath. I levelled it all off in winter then let it settle and sorted it come Spring.
Leftfootwonder said:
Anyone still mowing? I think i'll be 'topping off' this weekend to keep it neat as still getting reasonable growth (SE).
Yes, last cut mine 10 days ago and once I've cleared the leaves I will be mowing tomorrow with the Hayter Rotary set at about 50mm (notch 3). I also intend to apply the winter feed - (North Hampshire)Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff