When is top dressing not top dressing?

I'm in High Wycombe and certainly wasn't planning any lawn work until March, but the grass was getting so long and we had about a week of dry days so I gave it a trim.

Obviously I didn't apply any feed over the winter and the last nitrogen rich feed would have been mid summer.

My lawn is very shaded and wet and consequently has a lot of moss. Mo Bactor and Iron Sulphate last year really didn't touch the moss.

My biggest problem is wet soil I think. In the height of summer after two weeks of sun if I kneel on the lawn the knees of my jeans are soaked through and muddy within seconds.

 

Hi Tim
Grass has been growing a bit round here, temps are up and down. Nowt wrong with lush green grass as long as it’s not forced to grow at an unnatural rate as it opens up the grass to diseases.
Different grass grows at different rates and temps. Normally a rough guide is 10 degrees soil temp but some grass will take off at 5 degrees.
Too much iron alters the soil composition so be a tad careful.

There’s nothing stopping you from a basic liquid seaweed treatment that contains iron but not enough for moss but I would hold off while it’s frosty and as yet no snow has hit us even though the forecast threatened it.

Country supplies are local to us. They offer top soil in several grades though it’s best to look first as it alters a wee bit from year to year.

 

Ooops! Did I upset the, 'apple cart'? I picked up on the mention by the author of this thraedn that there were problems with drainage in the lawn area. Of course the majority of folk desire a lawn like a bowing green or billiard table. When I did my groundsman's course, curtoursy of London University/UCL. Much tress was put on drainage when constructing , laying a lawn.

In general practice, even gardening books will so often present you with pages all about levelling and preparing the site. Sadly drainage is seldom mentioned, if, mentioned at all.

Then during the construction of the lawn, the various stages really do have to be dealt with seriously, after all said and done, irrespective of the size of one's garden/plot, the lawn more or less is there to stay. Beds and borders change with the seasons.

Perhaps for most gardeners, the lawn is a must. Somewhere for the kids to play, a place in the sun to sit and dream etc. Hence questions may be asked. Presuming the general preparations have gone well. Do I seed or do I turf. Seed sadly can be a very, hit or miss, practice. If you do seed. Remember. 2-4 ozs per s.yd Hey the birds love being fed so, double that. Seeding take a hell of a time to give you a lawn, albeit a grass patch or that bowling green........In yer dreams.
So you decide on turf. OH NO! not more problems. Mostly adverts for turf relate to 'Meadow turf. This will contain all sorts of grasses. Never mind, the mower will cut it down. Cut it down YES but no to a fine sward. There are specialist turf nurseries, but make sure your bank balance is good. Everything comes at a price.

 

Armandii. My friend. I thank you for your comments relating to my post. However, I feel that I am be subjected to 'Peer Review' pressures. Honestly I can't find the right words. Joining gardeners corner, I was delighgted to find an internet forum that really was friendly. Now this. As much as I love this forum and the many friends I have here. Setting aside perhaps my professional what have you. Sorry but enough is enough. In truth. Some of your comment really hurt. So friends I bid you goodbye. Thank you for your frindship etc. Enjoy your gardening.

 

Check out pitchcare they sell top dressing used on golf and bowling greens, can buy bulk or in bags.

 

Thanks. That is where I got my bulk bag last autumn. I just need a few bags for lawn repair trhis spring and the minimum that they sell is 20 bags.

I have gone with the Westland Lawn and Turf Dressing and will add some sand if it looks very composty.