2022 Lawn Thread
Discussion
RichB said:
Stedman said:
Buzzing to get some iron down tomorrow. Sad git 
Yes, I think I'l do that too. I got the leaves cleared and the grass cut today so it will be ideal. 
My lawn is near perfect now, so do I need it or do I risk buggering it up?
If so, how much pers sq meter?
Also, I can see the balance in cutting height this time of year being tricky. I guess you want max blade length to capture what little light there is but not so long that it retains too much moisture. With that in mind my mower deck is currently 40mm above the garage floor which corresponds to the second highest setting out of 5. Is that too high?
nickfrog said:
I have 5kg of Green Up Ferrous Sulphate from the Lawnsmith for some reason. That's iron presumably?
Yep!nickfrog said:
What's the benefit (apart from colour)?
If your lawn is well fed, and unless it’s suffering a deficiency in iron, then to be honest you won’t see much of a green-up. But there are other benefits, especially at this time of year. Firstly it “winterises” the lawn, toughening it up and improving its hardiness. Secondly, if you apply it frequently enough, it acidifies the top layer of soil. This discourages the worms from coming to the surface and leaving worm-casts on the lawn, which are the unsightly squiggles of wet soil that form lumps and bumps when you run over them with the mower. Regular application of ferrous sulphate from early autumn into winter will reduce worm castings to a certain extent, without harming the worms. And thirdly, of course, it kills moss (if you have any).nickfrog said:
My lawn is near perfect now, so do I need it or do I risk buggering it up?
If you’re careful with the dosage and apply it evenly, you won’t bugger it up! The only risk is that at higher doses it can cause blackening of the grass as well as the moss. But this effect is temporary, so don’t panic if it does happen - if your lawn is still growing then it’ll grow out.nickfrog said:
If so, how much pers sq meter?
This page on the LawnSmith site gives suggested doses depending on what you’re trying to achieve. Basically 0.5-1.5 g/m² for a mild green up; 1.5-2 g/m² for winter hardening; and up to 4-5g/m² to nuke the moss (but you’ll probably get at least some blackening of the grass as well at this level). If in doubt pick the lower end of each range. Dissolve it in lukewarm water and apply with a sprayer.nickfrog said:
Also, I can see the balance in cutting height this time of year being tricky. I guess you want max blade length to capture what little light there is but not so long that it retains too much moisture. With that in mind my mower deck is currently 40mm above the garage floor which corresponds to the second highest setting out of 5. Is that too high?
Yes, it is a balance as you say, but even on maximum height most rotary mowers cut short enough to avoid problems with fungal infection like fusarium. I’ve only ever had an outbreak when I’d let the grass get too long. I’ve now gone up to the highest notch on my Hayter rotary, and the grass certainly doesn’t look “long” after mowing. If you mow regularly I reckon you’ll be fine - don’t be afraid to mow even when the grass is a bit wet, so long as the soil isn’t too soft.
Dutch02 said:
dudleybloke said:
What height have you been cutting it to?
I moved it up a setting to ‘4’ at the start of Autumn but it’s not actually cutting the grass at the moment, it’s just the most efficient way to collect the mass of leaves Other than moving structures which most of the time isn’t an option
Leave the grass to grow a bit longer so the blades catch as much of the lower light conditions as possible - sounds like you tried this tbh
For next year try over seeding in the spring/ autumn with a grass type that can cope with shade.
Drainage issues? It has been very wet. I’ve got a clay soil and some shade along a fence and I’ve noticed mine thinning a bit in this area so I’ve tried to aerate.
AyBee said:
Anyone still mowing? Mine could do with one given it's still growing (I put autumn feed on about a month ago) but it's so wet (and clay) that I daren't.
Same, every time I look out of the window and think oh the suns out I’ll give it 30 mins and it might be dry enough I look up 10 minutes later and it’s raining again. Edited by MDUBZ on Wednesday 23 November 17:06
Is it “too late” for a final cut of the year?
We’re in London so we’ve had no frost yet and day time temperatures have remained warm until the last few days (still hovering around 10 degrees locally). The persistent rain for the latter part of November postponed what would likely have been the final cut, there’s been a surprising amount of growth over the last month and I’m sat here with a day off to fill.
Bad idea?
We’re in London so we’ve had no frost yet and day time temperatures have remained warm until the last few days (still hovering around 10 degrees locally). The persistent rain for the latter part of November postponed what would likely have been the final cut, there’s been a surprising amount of growth over the last month and I’m sat here with a day off to fill.
Bad idea?
scenario8 said:
Is it “too late” for a final cut of the year?
We’re in London so we’ve had no frost yet and day time temperatures have remained warm until the last few days (still hovering around 10 degrees locally). The persistent rain for the latter part of November postponed what would likely have been the final cut, there’s been a surprising amount of growth over the last month and I’m sat here with a day off to fill.
Bad idea?
Forecast for the next few days is very cold even for London. That being said I’d cut it if it’s dry enough but not too short.We’re in London so we’ve had no frost yet and day time temperatures have remained warm until the last few days (still hovering around 10 degrees locally). The persistent rain for the latter part of November postponed what would likely have been the final cut, there’s been a surprising amount of growth over the last month and I’m sat here with a day off to fill.
Bad idea?
trickywoo said:
Forecast for the next few days is very cold even for London. That being said I’d cut it if it’s dry enough but not too short.
Thanks for responding. I wasn’t intending to cut it in any way “short” but not having been cut for a month, and with the relatively mild temperatures and significant rainfall we’ve experienced the grass has become quite “untidy” and significantly longer than I might have wished. Further, if I don’t do it now it likely won’t be touched for what, another three months? That’s a long time looking unattractive!Seems like it’s now or never and lawns are still being cut all around me so I think I’ll head out.
scenario8 said:
Is it “too late” for a final cut of the year?
We’re in London so we’ve had no frost yet and day time temperatures have remained warm until the last few days (still hovering around 10 degrees locally). The persistent rain for the latter part of November postponed what would likely have been the final cut, there’s been a surprising amount of growth over the last month and I’m sat here with a day off to fill.
Bad idea?
I did a last cut yesterday, not too short. It has to be the last cut as the spring bulbs are already coming through - I beheaded an early daff shoot, slicing through the flower bud, even at the high setting. We’re in London so we’ve had no frost yet and day time temperatures have remained warm until the last few days (still hovering around 10 degrees locally). The persistent rain for the latter part of November postponed what would likely have been the final cut, there’s been a surprising amount of growth over the last month and I’m sat here with a day off to fill.
Bad idea?
My lawn is quite mossy on parts. Weakened by drought and then soaked by rain, it seems weeds and moss have taken hold. One to sort out in the spring, I suspect.
Gave mine a cut yesterday as it’s been too wet most days. Mine still hasn’t recovered from the summer, very patchy in places (thanks Thames Water - that’s a £6000 new lawn last year that’s now in recovery mode).
Have to see if it needs a final cut, looks like it’s still growing but it’s still 10degrees here. Got an anti-moss treatment to put down on a grass verge at the front.
Have to see if it needs a final cut, looks like it’s still growing but it’s still 10degrees here. Got an anti-moss treatment to put down on a grass verge at the front.
Harry Flashman said:
I did a last cut yesterday, not too short. It has to be the last cut as the spring bulbs are already coming through - I beheaded an early daff shoot, slicing through the flower bud, even at the high setting.
My lawn is quite mossy on parts. Weakened by drought and then soaked by rain, it seems weeds and moss have taken hold. One to sort out in the spring, I suspect.
When you’ve sorted out the moss in yours next Spring could you pop out a little further to do mine?My lawn is quite mossy on parts. Weakened by drought and then soaked by rain, it seems weeds and moss have taken hold. One to sort out in the spring, I suspect.
There’s a cup of tea in it for you. And you can marvel at my diesel Golf once finished.
(Thanks for the confidence boost I’ll be doing the right thing. Right, wellies…)
Harry Flashman said:
I did a last cut yesterday, not too short. It has to be the last cut as the spring bulbs are already coming through - I beheaded an early daff shoot, slicing through the flower bud, even at the high setting.
My lawn is quite mossy on parts. Weakened by drought and then soaked by rain, it seems weeds and moss have taken hold. One to sort out in the spring, I suspect.
I would be putting down some iron sulphate to keep the moss at bay and harden the turf. Wait till its not frozen though. My lawn is quite mossy on parts. Weakened by drought and then soaked by rain, it seems weeds and moss have taken hold. One to sort out in the spring, I suspect.
still having a run over with the mower on max height setting just to clear up the ongoing leaves. Have a selection of mature trees that start to drop in mid October and with the aid of a mild autumn, the last is only just dropping properly with the aid of a couple of frosts.
Lawnsmith autumn feed has corrected some of the summer damage and staying on top of the leaves will hopefully prevent any lasting damage from them.
Weather in West Berkshire has been ridiculously mild but last nights -4c should help stop the growing
Lawnsmith autumn feed has corrected some of the summer damage and staying on top of the leaves will hopefully prevent any lasting damage from them.
Weather in West Berkshire has been ridiculously mild but last nights -4c should help stop the growing
westberks said:
still having a run over with the mower on max height setting just to clear up the ongoing leaves. Have a selection of mature trees that start to drop in mid October and with the aid of a mild autumn, the last is only just dropping properly with the aid of a couple of frosts.
Lawnsmith autumn feed has corrected some of the summer damage and staying on top of the leaves will hopefully prevent any lasting damage from them.
Weather in West Berkshire has been ridiculously mild but last nights -4c should help stop the growing
Like you we've got probably a dozen or so, mature oak and sweet chestnut trees around the garden and the oaks, in particular, have been having onto their leaves. It's -5 here in Hampshire/Berkshire borders so hopefully the last of the leaves will be down shortly so I can get them tidies away. Had intended to have a day at it today but it's no good walking all over the grass when it's frozen. Lawnsmith autumn feed has corrected some of the summer damage and staying on top of the leaves will hopefully prevent any lasting damage from them.
Weather in West Berkshire has been ridiculously mild but last nights -4c should help stop the growing
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