Just Joined - looking for inspiration

Hi everyone just joined and I need help!. I have a large garden front and back and every year it seems to beat me. Thought Id start with the lawns. Is it too early to rake the dead moss out? I had a go the other day when it was nice the lawn is full of moss and weeds. After raking I had quite a large area of bare pataches is this ok. do I need to reseed or will it grow back and should I treat the lawn as well with moss killer. Just worried I might finish off the lawn altogther. Anyone got any advice please.

 

Hi BB10,
Sounds a common problem. Lack of drainage and or lack of sunlight. If it is so bad I think I'd start from scratch and put some land drains in. Then turf over it. Needn't be too onerous a task!
Cheers
John

 

Hi John

Thanks for that. Bit worried about the land drain not quite sure if im up to that but worth considering if things don't improve. I do have some large bushes shading the grass so I will get them cut back.

Thanks
BB10

 

would just like to wish you a warm welcome to the forum

 

Hi Bluebell. Welcome to GC. Can't advise on grass I'm afraid. I'm a social pariah, I like gravel (but don't tell anyone on here). :D

 

Hi BlueBell welcome to the forum.

 

Hi everyone thanks for the replys. Will keep you informed on the grass situation I think its going to be an epic.


Bluebell

 

Hi Bluebell and welcome.

 

Hi Bluebell, welcome im in Nottingham too ...NG9 do you mind me asking where abouts are you?

 

BlueBell.

I'm with John on this one as I'm getting rid of most of our grass and transforming our patch to gravel or bark chippings.... no more heavy lawn mower for me!

I'm sure someone will help you out with advice on how to redo your lawn as we are a friendly lot on here...well most of the time we are! :D Hel.xxx.

 

Hi and welcome (somewhat belatedly) to GC

 

Hi, I would try raking it and putting lawnseed down . I would make sure there is no overgrown strubs or trees and see what happens. Put a photo on if you can and place it on gardeners discussion. You will get loads of advice.

 

I would vote with compost maker, assuming that you just have a very neglected lawn, and there is no fundamental drainage problem. But it could take a while.
I'm just starting year 2 of a lawn revival program. The lawn is quite shaded, and the moss was so deep the squirrels could bury their conkers in it. (yes the ones off the trees). I've been raking out moss, and spraying with ferrous sulphate regularly, plus some re-seeding. It is getting better but there is still some way to go.

 

Hi blue bell.
i had the same problem four years ago when i moved here and the best advice i can give you is to move things that are keeping the light out and with a garden fork push in at least 6 inches all over your lawn making air holes which will dry up the soil and will improve the drainage.
try not to walk on it until the grass is growing freely around the end of April then when the weather is nice and hot cut the grass with a low cut and rake out any excess moss removing it now will only allow the moss to recover due to the wet weather which we are having at the moment and with the grass only starting to grow you may find you are fighting a losing battle.
around the end of October try not to cut your grass and leave it as long as possible so as over the winter the grass will act as a barrier against the moss build up.
hope this helps as it has for me it is slow going but at least if you do this you will be going in the right direction.