The age old question

Discussion in 'Lawns' started by Blade, Apr 13, 2012.

  1. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2019
    Messages:
    48,096
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +100,834
    I think, gentlemen, that we have reached a point in the Thread where we return to the original purpose of the Thread .i.e. offering advice, whether it is of an opposing view or not, without trading insults, taunts or "flaming" language and getting personal. Should it continue I would, with regret, be forced to delete that post and close the Thread.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Sheal

      Sheal Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Feb 2, 2011
      Messages:
      35,546
      Gender:
      Female
      Location:
      Beauly, Inverness-shire. Zone 9a
      Ratings:
      +52,311
      Blade I don't think it's damage from your dogs. Does the lawn face north or east by any chance?
       
    • Blade

      Blade Gardener

      Joined:
      Feb 26, 2012
      Messages:
      45
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      plasterer
      Location:
      Surrey
      Ratings:
      +4
      yes sheal , my lawn faces north ish , the ground under the top soil is chalk , really dont want to cause an arguement lads , just would like a few bits of advice so i can make a decision as to which way to go , dont really want my thread closed ! , there is a worn patch from back to front where the dogs run when i let them out , but the rest is just patchy .

      Blade
       
    • Kristen

      Kristen Under gardener

      Joined:
      Jul 22, 2006
      Messages:
      17,534
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Suffolk, UK
      Ratings:
      +12,667
      Too much water? drainage not good enough?
       
    • Blade

      Blade Gardener

      Joined:
      Feb 26, 2012
      Messages:
      45
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      plasterer
      Location:
      Surrey
      Ratings:
      +4
    • Kristen

      Kristen Under gardener

      Joined:
      Jul 22, 2006
      Messages:
      17,534
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Suffolk, UK
      Ratings:
      +12,667
      Well, if you've not seen standing-water on the lawn it probably isn't that. But if you do then it could be that :)
       
    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

      Joined:
      Jan 12, 2019
      Messages:
      48,096
      Gender:
      Male
      Ratings:
      +100,834
      I think you can console yourself, Blade, with the fact that probably 95% of garden lawns are not perfect and possibly patchy. I garden on sand and it's not the best for growing grass as it quickly drains and doesn't hold nutrients in the lawn area for long.:snork:
       
    • Axl

      Axl Gardener

      Joined:
      Nov 23, 2009
      Messages:
      703
      Gender:
      Male
      Ratings:
      +446
      Blade what was the quality of the top soil? Was it as-dug and moved from one location to yours or was it a good quality blended and graded topsoil? What prep if any was done to the ground before the topsoil was added? Who supplied it and the turf, which turf was used?
       
    • Blade

      Blade Gardener

      Joined:
      Feb 26, 2012
      Messages:
      45
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      plasterer
      Location:
      Surrey
      Ratings:
      +4
      :( i dont know , this is more difficult than i expected :)
       
    • Axl

      Axl Gardener

      Joined:
      Nov 23, 2009
      Messages:
      703
      Gender:
      Male
      Ratings:
      +446
      So someone else provided the materials and laid the lawn for you?
       
    • Blade

      Blade Gardener

      Joined:
      Feb 26, 2012
      Messages:
      45
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      plasterer
      Location:
      Surrey
      Ratings:
      +4
      yes , got a guy with a digger to come and level the garden , a lorry load of top soil and then he turfed it
       
    • *dim*

      *dim* Head Gardener

      Joined:
      Jun 26, 2011
      Messages:
      3,548
      Location:
      Cambridge
      Ratings:
      +1,593
      how long did you let the lawn grow before you mowed it for the 1st time?
       
    • Blade

      Blade Gardener

      Joined:
      Feb 26, 2012
      Messages:
      45
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      plasterer
      Location:
      Surrey
      Ratings:
      +4
      Cant remember , but i did what the guy said , it was fine for the 1st year or so but went down hill a bit after that
       
    • *dim*

      *dim* Head Gardener

      Joined:
      Jun 26, 2011
      Messages:
      3,548
      Location:
      Cambridge
      Ratings:
      +1,593
      it's a hard one, especially when you say that you have tried overseeding and the seed never took

      perhaps try scarifying and aerating in the beginning of autumn, then overseeding the whole lawn with a blend of seed that does well in shadier positions (assuming that your lawn is in semi shade)

      here are a few examples from BSH for shady areas:
      http://www.bshamenity.com/products.php?mc=landscaping&cat=shady-areas

      perhaps the A9 blend may be the best bet, as you have dogs ... costs £113 per 20kg bag, but that covers 600 square meters (if you use their calculator on the link)

      if your lawn is not in shade, perhaps a soil test may find what the problem is, b ut irrespective, you will need to overseed if you want to fill in the bare patches

      as I previously mentioned, turf was recently laid at a home a few houses away from me .... they let the grass grow very long and recently mowed it .... it looks exactly the same as the pics you have posted
       
    • Blade

      Blade Gardener

      Joined:
      Feb 26, 2012
      Messages:
      45
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      plasterer
      Location:
      Surrey
      Ratings:
      +4
      cheers dim , lawn isnt really shaded , ive never aerated my lawn , so ill give that a go , what does scarifing do , i thought you only did that if you had weeds , but my knowledge is very limeted , the prob isnt the dogs although there are areas where it is them . Maybe i just seeded badly , i lay seed on the bald ares and sprinkled with top soil ? . ive not let my lawn get too long , except over winter once . Its a puzzle
       
    Loading...

    Share This Page

    1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
      By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
      Dismiss Notice