2021 Lawn thread
Discussion
FishAndChips said:
Been so busy over the last 4-6 weeks that hadn't got round to putting the autumn lawn feed down. Too late now to put Scott's Autumn lawn builder? OK just reading back a few posts, this is 16-0-16 so high nitrogen and no good for now.
For a supposedly autumn feed, 16-0-16 is a very strange composition. It is, as you say, rather high on nitrogen for my liking, and the complete absence of phosphorus is bizarre - the grass needs phosphorus to support its root growth, which continues despite the top growth slowing or stopping. Only the potassium element makes any sense.I like the summer Scott’s fertiliser and I tend to use it, but I think their autumn feed is all wrong.
By the way, I don’t think it’s too late to be putting down a low nitrogen feed with high potassium and at least some phosphorus. Certainly in the southern half of the country, where we’ve only had a few cold nights so far, so soil temperature will still be fairly mild.
My lawn is in a significantly better state this November than last, and last year I spent hours curating it, this year, just mowed it and not even very regularly.
I can only conclude that a rainy summer has been way better than any artificial care.
Not having cows on it has also helped, I'm sure...
I can only conclude that a rainy summer has been way better than any artificial care.
Not having cows on it has also helped, I'm sure...
chinnyman said:
Has anyone ever hired an aerator?
Those spiky shoes are a pain and my lawn seems quite compacted at the moment with the kids playing footy etc on.
I have not, but I've got a man coming round soon to hollow tine, £55 for around 60sqm. Cheeper than hiring a HTAerator and much less faff. Worth a thought?Those spiky shoes are a pain and my lawn seems quite compacted at the moment with the kids playing footy etc on.
Yes, several times. Most hire shops have them even if they don't advertise.
I prefer the vertical cam operated type, Camon LA20/LA25 (red) rather than the rotary finger type as per Bannerman (green) which unless you actually wanted na rotavator seem worse in every way.
Easy enough to use, I've been doing two passes at 90deg to each other spring and autumn, as it seems previously it's become very compacted. With the LA20 I hire you seem to have to gently pull it back in harder ground to ensure full penatration, we have rocks close to the surface too and did break on of the hollow tines, but not additional charge. Around £50 including delivery all, collection and a full tank of fuel.
Daniel
I prefer the vertical cam operated type, Camon LA20/LA25 (red) rather than the rotary finger type as per Bannerman (green) which unless you actually wanted na rotavator seem worse in every way.
Easy enough to use, I've been doing two passes at 90deg to each other spring and autumn, as it seems previously it's become very compacted. With the LA20 I hire you seem to have to gently pull it back in harder ground to ensure full penatration, we have rocks close to the surface too and did break on of the hollow tines, but not additional charge. Around £50 including delivery all, collection and a full tank of fuel.
Daniel
dhutch said:
Yes, several times. Most hire shops have them even if they don't advertise.
I prefer the vertical cam operated type, Camon LA20/LA25 (red) rather than the rotary finger type as per Bannerman (green) which unless you actually wanted na rotavator seem worse in every way.
Easy enough to use, I've been doing two passes at 90deg to each other spring and autumn, as it seems previously it's become very compacted. With the LA20 I hire you seem to have to gently pull it back in harder ground to ensure full penetration, we have rocks close to the surface too and did break on of the hollow tines, but not additional charge. Around £50 including delivery all, collection and a full tank of fuel.
Daniel
£50 all in inc delivery is a great price. I just looked at an LA25 from Farnborough Tool Hire and together with 'damage waiver at £5 and VAT it come to £80 for a day's hire. As you have experience of using one of these do you think I could do 500sqm inside a day? I prefer the vertical cam operated type, Camon LA20/LA25 (red) rather than the rotary finger type as per Bannerman (green) which unless you actually wanted na rotavator seem worse in every way.
Easy enough to use, I've been doing two passes at 90deg to each other spring and autumn, as it seems previously it's become very compacted. With the LA20 I hire you seem to have to gently pull it back in harder ground to ensure full penetration, we have rocks close to the surface too and did break on of the hollow tines, but not additional charge. Around £50 including delivery all, collection and a full tank of fuel.
Daniel
RichB said:
50 all in inc delivery is a great price. I just looked at an LA25 from Farnborough Tool Hire and together with 'damage waiver at £5 and VAT it come to £80 for a day's hire. As you have experience of using one of these do you think I could do 500sqm inside a day?
It might have £60 but it certainly wasn't £100. We have a choice on the Wirral, couple of independent hire shops and they seem to price keenly. Did onces use the very cheap one, and their machine was very rough and threw it's belt mid job even!As yes you will do that in a day without even trying, we have around 500sqm and I can do two passes in maybe 2-3hours? I do the verges while I'm at it. Not far of the pace of cutting the lawn with a 19" mower.
On one occasion my parents came over, stuck it on their trailer, drove it 45mins to their houseand 45mins back again, and did ther own lawn as well in the same day.
chinnyman said:
Those spiky shoes are a pain and my lawn seems quite compacted at the moment with the kids playing footy etc on.
Always assumed those shoes are a gimmick for then aspiring catalogue gardener and or jml shopping channels.However I do have a "Greenkey Rolling Lawn Aerator" from Lawnsmiths which I use randomly throughout the year in addition to the hollow tining at the end of the season which seems to work well. Don't try and do more than maybe 60-80sqm at once, but over a week of evenings, an energetic 25mins does a decent area if it's rained recently.
Garden fork for proper deep aeration around high traffic areas in and our of the lawn, or in the goal area in your case I guess!
Stedman said:
chinnyman said:
Has anyone ever hired an aerator?
Those spiky shoes are a pain and my lawn seems quite compacted at the moment with the kids playing footy etc on.
I have not, but I've got a man coming round soon to hollow tine, £55 for around 60sqm. Cheeper than hiring a HTAerator and much less faff. Worth a thought?Those spiky shoes are a pain and my lawn seems quite compacted at the moment with the kids playing footy etc on.
I would rather pay someone, I think rental is around £60 and I've got maybe 100sqm or so I think
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff