Cancelled GreenThumb: Need Lawn Care Advice

Discussion in 'Lawns' started by Kevin Cowans, Feb 17, 2020.

  1. Kevin Cowans

    Kevin Cowans Super Gardener

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    Hello all

    My Mum had GreenThumb for some time before she passed in 2011 and when I took over the house I just continued with them.

    Now, due to some personal issues I have decided to cancel them, however, now I need to learn how to maintain the lawn myself.

    So, any tips on how to maintain the lawn for a beginner would be appreciated.

    The lawn is in pretty good shape, no weeds, good growth, not compacted etc.

    As part of the GreenThumb contract I had the lawn Aerated and Scarified each year around October.

    The lawn has not been cut this year yet, I am waiting until March for that.

    I currently have a Flymo but I am looking at the Bosch Cordless Mowers which will make life easier for me.

    Also, I have been looking at the Evergreen Complete 4 in 1, is that any good?

    Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

    Kevin
     
  2. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    Actually, Kevin, you are doing, and thinking, all the right things to maintain a lawn:love30::thumbsup:
    The only thing you might want to do is get some Spring Lawn Feed, (nothing fancy, just nitrogen rich), and maybe a gentle rake with a lawn rake every now and then to take out some of the thatch.:cat-kittyandsmiley::coffee:
     
  3. Kevin Cowans

    Kevin Cowans Super Gardener

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    Hello @ARMANDII

    Thanks for the reply.

    Good to hear I am on the right track, makes a change, lately :)

    I thought the Evergreen Complete 4 in 1 was a Spring and Summer treatment, am I wrong in that?

    Thanks in advance

    Kevin
     
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    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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      No, you're not wrong, Kevin, it's good for Spring and Summer and also contains a Moss Killer. There are other Lawn Feeds that are cheaper and, in my opinion, just as good but it's your choice on what you want and how much you want to spend. Just be careful not to put too much down, try to keep it on the "lean" side otherwise you might scorch the grass.:coffee:
       
    • Kevin Cowans

      Kevin Cowans Super Gardener

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      Hello @ARMANDII

      The reasoning behind the Evergreen Complete 4 in 1 was that it comes in the dispenser pack so it should stop the application of too much and thus prevent any damage to the lawn.

      Makes sense to me, just :)

      Thanks

      Kevin
       
    • Liz the pot

      Liz the pot Total Gardener

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      Be warned those dispensers will apply too much as you can’t judge the rate of application. Horrible way to apply fertiliser to be honest.
       
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      • Kevin Cowans

        Kevin Cowans Super Gardener

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        Hello @Liz the pot

        Thanks for the reply.

        Would it be better to buy the bags of fertiliser and then invest in a spreader?

        If so, what kind of spreader would you recommend, broadcast or drop?

        Thanks in advance.

        Kevin
         
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        • ARMANDII

          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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          Liz is right, Kevin.:love30::thumbsup: I bought a spreader specifically made for a lawn fertiliser and, to be honest, it was a waste of money as it really it's all down to the speed that you walk and if you stop it still drops the fertiliser onto the ground. I now wear gloves and spread the fertiliser with my hand, taking care to be sparing as too much fertiliser can scorch the lawn.:cat-kittyandsmiley::coffee:
           
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          • Kevin Cowans

            Kevin Cowans Super Gardener

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            Hello @ARMANDII

            Thanks to the reply.

            How would I go about spreading by hand to make sure I use the right amount?

            Also, I have been reading about Organic Fertilisers, is it true that they will not burn the lawn?

            Also, are Organic Fertilisers any good?

            Learning, slowly but surely

            Thanks for advance

            Kevin
             
          • ARMANDII

            ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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            Hi Kevin,

            Well, Kevin, I use one handful to approximately one square yard and have found that to be more than enough. It doesn't have to be a "get as much as you can" handful but just enough to feel comfortable. Lot's of gardeners make the mistake of thinking "Oh, that's not enough, it needs more" but, believe me, too much is not good for your lawn. Also, it helps if it's about to rain when you apply the fertiliser or, in a dry spell, to water the lawn after you've applied the fertiliser.

            Well, it all depends on the strength of the organic fertilisers, Kevin. Most none organic Spring and Summer Fertilisers use Nitrogen as the main ingredient, with Potash and Phosphate as the lower strength ingredients. Such commercial lawn fertilisers are carefully scientificlally balanced and tested so buyers know that such fertilisers can be trusted.
            When it comes to "organic" fertilisers I'm not so sure that it may be a balanced fertiliser although there will, probably, a higher content of Nitrogen than anything else. It might also be slower acting. But lots of gardeners, trying to be as organic as they can, do use them. It comes down to personal choice.:dunno:
            In the very early years of my sandy soil garden, while trying to get as much organic fertiliser/compost into it I bought around 15 or more Tractor loads of wet Cow manure and about 50, I kid you not, Tractor loads of Stable Manure. The Stable Manure was well rotted and black in colour and as well as it supplying Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Potash it also added Humus to the soil giving the soil some long time structure. I also added over 180 tons of top soil as I garden on about 350' of pure sand!! I digress somewhat from the subject of Lawn Fertiliser but I think my point is that lots of organic materials can be great to add to a garden but I had no exact idea of how balanced the loads of Cow manure and Stable manure were..............although I did get enough Horse shoes from the Stable Manure to start a National collection:heehee:

            I think, Kevin, that most of the long time experienced gardeners of the GC Gang, (including me), will tell you that when it comes to gardening we never stop learning!!
             
          • Liz the pot

            Liz the pot Total Gardener

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            How large is the lawn?

            if it’s not a grand old size you could try liquid fertilisers which while have a shorter working spam and have less chance of scorching.
            Organic fertilisers tend to be how do I say it but gentle in action. The 4 in 1 will create a flush of growth when applied at max and has iron that toughens up the grass and creates a deeper colour.
            They all have their place depending on what’s required and when.
             
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            • Kevin Cowans

              Kevin Cowans Super Gardener

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              Hello @Liz the pot

              Thanks for the reply.

              The lawns are small, very approximate measurements of the front and back lawn comes to 20sqm in total.

              Thanks in advance

              Kevin
               
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              • Liz the pot

                Liz the pot Total Gardener

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              • Kevin Cowans

                Kevin Cowans Super Gardener

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                Hello @Liz the pot

                Thanks for the reply.

                Here are the photos of the front and back lawns.

                They have not had their first cut of the year yet, scheduled for the beginning of March so please excuse the condition of each.

                Front Lawn:

                2020-02-22 09.40.17.jpg

                Back Lawn:

                2020-02-22 09.39.43.jpg

                With the Back Lawn, the area from the back of the lawn to the front of the third paving stone will be taken up to accommodate the Patio which is being laid the week beginning April 6, also the lawn is going to be edged with matching Setts hence the smaller lawn.

                I hope the photos help.

                Thanks in advance

                Kevin
                 
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                • Liz the pot

                  Liz the pot Total Gardener

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                  That’s great thanks.
                  Couple of pointers before you decide liquid or granular.
                  Any product with iron as in 4 in 1 will stain paving materials so if you take that route extra care is needed.
                  Bit small to go with a drop spreader with granular feeds but perhaps the hand held broadcast spreaders may be worth a think or you can go liquid and either go with a sprayer or can option.
                  You could do it by hand, a simple jig 1mtr squared or best judgement but it will not be perfect.
                  If you don’t have weeds then pick another fertiliser that has no herbicide.
                   
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