Struggling first timer

Hey Guys,

new to lawn care, I purchased my first home (new build) at the beginning of August, new turf was laid front and back. I watered for about 3 weeks. It’s now October and footmarks still remain for ages, the grass is very soft and I have quite a lot of red thread in the back garden.

any tips on what I should do next? I was thinking of getting a pro out to look at it? Again excuse any ignorance as I’m very much a newbie lol

 

In the wet winter months I think it is best to stay off the lawn as much as possible. Wet soil is easily compacted and this will make drainage worse and be bad for the lawn. This is more important for a new lawn. Also important not to cut it too short initially.
Happy gardening!

 

As a new build house, I severely doubt the soil under the turf was prepared even slightly. At best, the turf will have been put over the top of a layer of hard pan. At worst it's gone on over the top of a load of bricks and rubble.

If the grass takes, then great. If not, then honestly it may not be savable because it's not got enough to root into.

A pro can at least have a look at it and quote on what they think it needs. Quotes don't usually cost anything, and it'll give you an idea of what's up.

 

Hi,

Did you see the house being built and see what they did with the garden areas ?

Sometimes like ours they had to dig deep around the house so returned a lot of clay infill followed by a layer of topsoil and then turf.
However thats was all very 'light and fluffy' so took some time to settle before it was really firm enough to walk on when wet.
As said probably keep off it until the drier late spring weather has arrived.

If you really want to find out what its like under the grass, then make one or two test digs, make a cut in the turf about 30cm sq and carefully undercut the turf and remove, then dig down at least 45cm to see what is underneath.
Then return the soil and pop the turf back in place and water well.

 

As above. A good lawn needs good initial preparation. Drainage particularly if it is in a low situation in relation to other gardens nearby. I would, as above, do a test dig. A new lawn will take a year or so to become tough enough for heavy traffic and even then only if it has been done somewhere near properly.

Mine suffers with moss sometimes (surrounding trees don't help) so not everything is perfect.
I scarify in Spring and soon have a tough, hard wearing, not perfect, healthy lawn.