2023 Lawn Thread

[Stedman]

I believe I’ve seen PH members here using Agrigem products, am I right? If so, were you happy with them? Their fertiliser seems to be fairly priced.

[Semmelweiss]

Stedman said:

I believe I’ve seen PH members here using Agrigem products, am I right? If so, were you happy with them? Their fertiliser seems to be fairly priced.

I use them exclusively now for granular fertiliser. Lawnsmith very good but became too expensive.

As an aside, after heavy scarifying 10 days ago, just finished top dressing with a layer of Westland Lawn & Turf dressing, and a layer of Jack's Magic. After an initial heavy watering, praying for rain next week whilst away on holiday.

[Stedman]

Semmelweiss said:

I use them exclusively now for granular fertiliser. Lawnsmith very good but became too expensive.

Ace, thank you.

[thecopster]

So….. I think I am ready to seed my front garden!

It’s gone from this

To this:



I have my lawnsmiths starter seed and fertiliser ready to go. I’m going to wait a couple of days for the soil to get soaked in the upcoming rain then rake it through one more time before seeding!

My only concern is that whilst the weather looks perfect this coming week for germination there is a LOT of rain forecast! Should I be concerned?

Thanks

[Semmelweiss]

If the topsoil you have down is new root zone then I'd not put any fertiliser down. Sow the seed, rake it in lightly with back of rake, and cover with fleece. This will protect the seed from washing away in the rain, and the birds from nicking it. After ten days it should have germinated into seedlings and then you can remove the fleece and make sure it never dies out.

[thecopster]

Not topsoil it’s just what I have rotovated and levelled and cleared!

Thanks for the advice 👍

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

thecopster said:

Not topsoil it’s just what I have rotovated and levelled and cleared!

In that case, (1) you’re blessed with lovely looking soil, and (2) you’ve done a fantastic job with the rotovator!

Fleece will be expensive for that area, so a cheaper alternative would be a thin-ish covering of cheapo compost from B&Q. Take handfuls of it and rub between your hands letting it fall as it crumbles, until you just cover the seed. This hides it from the pigeons and will keep moisture in. It significantly improves germination, and provides some nutrients for the emerging seedlings as well.

[Semmelweiss]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

In that case, (1) you’re blessed with lovely looking soil, and (2) you’ve done a fantastic job with the rotovator!

Fleece will be expensive for that area, so a cheaper alternative would be a thin-ish covering of cheapo compost from B&Q. Take handfuls of it and rub between your hands letting it fall as it crumbles, until you just cover the seed. This hides it from the pigeons and will keep moisture in. It significantly improves germination, and provides some nutrients for the emerging seedlings as well.

Indeed

[glow worm]

thecopster said:

Top thinking dragging the ally ladders round to harrow it to a smooth surface .

You always have to be concerned about a new lawn ... mine was looking lovely green and lush got over 2" high in 3 weeks , then I noticed a white fluffy mould ? (damping off ? ) . So I borrowed a rotary mower to top it off , so it could get more air (its on a North facing side) , now It's gone very patchy . If it's dry tomorrow I'm going to give it a shorter cut , see how bad it is and reseed the bad bits whilst it still reasonably warm but I don't want lots of rain , it will rot .

[Stedman]

Grass killed off here. Filed Compost number4 turning up next week. No going back now!

[dhutch]

thecopster said:

So….. I think I am ready to seed my front garden!





I have my lawnsmiths starter seed and fertiliser ready to go. I’m going to wait a couple of days for the soil to get soaked in the upcoming rain then rake it through one more time before seeding!

My only concern is that whilst the weather looks perfect this coming week for germination there is a LOT of rain forecast! Should I be concerned?

Thanks

Looks good!

Get the seed down imo, easier when it dry.

Apply seed, rake lightly into the surface, job done. Saves covering in top dressing when you have nice clear loan like that.

You can sheet it in polythene, or flease, but I wouldn't for that area for a one off. Especially as you're due rain which should keep it moist.

Worse case you get a bit of pooling, some seed floats, slight bare patches. But unless it's got a good gradient or a load of surface water running onto it from a patio or the like it unlikely to be a major issue.

You can always reseed small areas, but best to get it down and the bulk covered asap imo. Especially if your further north.

[lrdisco]

Nearly ready for grass seed.

[thecopster]

Thanks for the advice! Seed is down.

The rotovating was incredibly hard work but ultimately rewarding!

Hopefully I can sit back and watch the grass grow before I start on the back garden!!

[MDUBZ]

I lowered the blade cutting height last week and scarified on Saturday - always amazes me what comes out of what looks like a healthy lawn, both green bins are completely full and aren't being picked up till Friday, this has left me a bit unpopular. I'm always left with the initial what of I done feeling this has been supported by Daughter 3 (5) "what has happened to our grass!!! ", and having reassured her (me) it will bounce back in 2-3 weeks, Daughter 1 (13) ":I hope google don't take any satellite photos in the next few weeks then it looks awful"... I'm going to put a preseed/autumn feed down today, once the grass dries off, and then overseed and patch repair later in the week. (fingers crossed)

We had a biblical amount of rain last night and quite the light show, which is great for the lawn, but it was so much I was up at 2.30am draining the gravel driveway by using a bit of hose pipe to siphon the surface water off into a drain, as it was making it's way into the garage and the broom wasn't providing much of a defence. I'll be installing a french drain i think.

Edited by MDUBZ on Monday 18th September 08:55

[westberks]

great time for the pull start cord on my lawnmower to snap off in my hand....

now a week of rain forecast and no mower

Edited by westberks on Tuesday 19th September 08:28

[brums evil twin]

Gave the lawn a scarify yesterday (only one direction though) but it pulled out loads!! it had had a good going over late spring so was very surprised at the amount. 2 green wheelie bins and now have three garden barrels full!!!

So the grass was cut, then scarified, then used the mover another 5 passes to collect it all. Then seeded and fertilised just before the rain came!!!

We have some nice sun this morning and rain forecast this afternoon - could not be better I think to get the seeds and fertiliser in

Shattered last night, but glad its done for the year

[Bikesalot]

Can I just scarify a lawn and leave it’s own devices with a bit of fertiliser or will it just look rubbish forever more?

[RichB]

Bikesalot said:

Can I just scarify a lawn and leave it’s own devices with a bit of fertiliser or will it just look rubbish forever more?

Of course you can. Scarify it, mow it again to get rid of any crap and feed it. Better than doing nothing.

[dhutch]

RichB said:

Bikesalot said:

Can I just scarify a lawn and leave it’s own devices with a bit of fertiliser or will it just look rubbish forever more?

Of course you can. Scarify it, mow it again to get rid of any crap and feed it. Better than doing nothing.

Absolutely. Don't go too hard on it if it's been a good while, and you'll likely still rip out a lot of thatch and moss and weeds, with what should be enough growing season left to allow recovery before winter. Feed is always good, autumn mix now i guess, some iron is inexpensive and good especially if you have moss. Maybe some selective lawn weed killer if you have a lot of broad leaf weeds.

Obviously if add to that a overseeding and top dressing, that's where the keen beans would be. But that does add significant cost and labour and certainly doesn't have to be an annual thing unless you want to dedicate that much resource to the cause!

You could also consider hollow tine aeration just beforehand if it's an older lawn and or showing signs of compaction. Dandelions, standing water after heavy rain, etc.

Enjoy!

[Bikesalot]

Really useful. Thanks.