My lawn looks like "The Cursed Earth".

Discussion in 'Lawns' started by Green Glass Goblin, Aug 16, 2018.

  1. Green Glass Goblin

    Green Glass Goblin Apprentice Gardener

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    Nearly 12 months on. I had a go. The lawn is looking amazing ( well amazing for us anyway). Thanks to everyone who helped me. It WAS worth it. I will try to put some Pix up (before and after thingy)

    Many thanks again

    Now, about the BACK lawn..................?











    UPDATE. Found something - finally - that killed the sheep sorrel and other stuff without killing what was left of the grass. Scarified twice but regrowth is patchy. Have decided to wait now till spring. More scarifying, feeding and then re-seed.


    We moved here eighteen months ago and have just got round to the garden this year. However, since the long hot (waterless) summer, we have a crunchy patch of beige vegetation generously sprinkled with a variety of weeds : - moss, dandelion, clover, daisy, buttercup, plantain, pelagonium, some yellow stuff, self heal and something I did not recognise but now know to be sheep sorrel. I want to try to clear the weeds, feed, re-seed. What I want to know is should I spray the weeds before I scarify? I feel I should kill the sheep sorrel or the scarify would just spread it. What order should I work? Spray, scarify, leave, re-seeď?

    The lawn looks 5/8ths dead. I need help. I have scarifier, aerator, cyclone spreader for seed/fertiliser. What I need is confident advise. H - E - L - P. Pleeeeeeze:wallbanging:
     

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    • Verdun

      Verdun Passionate gardener

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      Hiya Green Glass Goblin :)

      Firstly, you have the ideal time of the year now to sort your lawn out. Confidence boost number one :)

      I would apply a lawn weedkiller. It will sort out those pesky weeds in no time.....confidence boost number 2:)

      a week or so later mow to remove any tall grass. Then scarify. Rake to level the surface. Then re seed. Confidence boost number 3 :)

      A dwarf rye mixture....sold as a general purpose mixture.....is hard wearing and attractive. Sow half the seed one way, lightly rake it in then sow half the seed in another direction. Lightly rake it in. Keep the lawn moist....a lot easier to do in September with slightly cooler and damper air.

      Try to keep off your lawn during winter. Feed in spring.

      Admire in April.....final confidence boost:)
       
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        Last edited: Aug 16, 2018
      • Ned

        Ned Evaporated

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        And......:sign0016: to our confidence boosting friendly corner GGG :dbgrtmb:
         
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        • Gail_68

          Gail_68 Guest

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          Hello @Green Glass Goblin :sign0016: to GC and nice to have you with us :)

          If you could up load pictures it would help members to help you better [​IMG]
           
        • Mike Allen

          Mike Allen Total Gardener

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          How glad I am that I got shot of my lawn years ago. wink.
           
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            Welcome to the forum @Green Glass Goblin

            Whereabouts are you? Assume somewhere in the UK. It would help us give better advice if you put your location in your profile. Also what aspect is the lawn? South for example. And is it shaded?
             
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            • Green Glass Goblin

              Green Glass Goblin Apprentice Gardener

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              Hi, North Warwickshire. Lawn is South facing, No shade and looks like it has been neglected for years. I will try to upload a pic but I'm not sure I know how. I will get out with the Canon and see what I can do. Thanks for all the help so far. xx
               
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              • Green Glass Goblin

                Green Glass Goblin Apprentice Gardener

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                Thanks for that Verdun. I feel so much better knowing that someone out there knows what they are doing. Never had a lawn before and now we have 2. The other one is not so bad.
                 

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                • Green Glass Goblin

                  Green Glass Goblin Apprentice Gardener

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                  Thank you for that Tetters :) x
                   
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                  • JWK

                    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                    That sounds perfect for a good lawn.

                    Having looked at your photos I'd say your problem is mainly due to lack of rainfall. I understand you haven't had much in the North West? It was very dry down here in Surrey until a week ago and my lawn looked the same as yours, only the weeds were green. However we have had a good downpour and it greened up very quickly.

                    If you haven't had any rainfall it might be worth getting a sprinkler on it to perk it up.

                    Did it look OK before the long hot summer?
                     
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                    • Loofah

                      Loofah Admin Staff Member

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                      Looks like the majority of lawns in the UK right now! It’s taken hammering and been very stressed so now we’ve had a touch of rain I’ve simply been quite gentle - selective weedkill each weed, or dig out if there’s only a few, and I’ve applied a liquid feed and mown the grass. With rain you’ll be surprised how fast it starts to green up all on its own
                       
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                      • Verdun

                        Verdun Passionate gardener

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                        yep, looking at photos, green glass goblin, all systems go to get your lawn back in shape :)
                         
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                        • Green Glass Goblin

                          Green Glass Goblin Apprentice Gardener

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                          It did NOT look good before it got dry - far too much thatch and weeds but we did not have a chance to do anything to it as we were doing up the inside. The back lawn looks better, picked up after a couple of days rain, and has been mown. This one is just not picking up. Someone told me lime would help the problem with Sheep Sorrel - but I've NEVER heard of lime on a lawn before. I will start with the weeds - there are shed loads. I'm tempted to ring the Pentagon for any left over Agent Orange, but will probbly try one of those that does for the weeds with ut harming the grass. Thanks for your help :) x
                           
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                          • Verdun

                            Verdun Passionate gardener

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                            Try it yourself green glass goblin.....you will prob surprise yourself.
                            A lawn needs reasonable moisture, feeding, regular mowing.....blades set reasonably high; too many lawns are ruined by scalping.....scarifying once a year. A weed n feed once a year too will control most, if not all, of the weeds.

                            There are one or two other things but basically if you undertake the above you wont go far wrong

                            Forget the lime too

                            My neighbours spend a fortune on their lawn by employing experts; my own lawns are far better. It is not really difficult to have a decent lawn so have a go:)
                             
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                              Last edited: Aug 17, 2018
                            • JWK

                              JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                              Lime can be used in the garden to improve acidic and clay soils. It can be used on a lawn but you may be wasting your time and money. It will only have a benefit if you have acidic soil and you will need a soil tester kit to check that. Personally I would not bother even if you have acidic soil as for grass the benefits are dubious. Also lime is nasty to handle in the quantities you would need for a lawn.
                               
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