my lawn needs help !!!!

[gunners71uk]

well i been out and looked at me lawn it looks muddy and patchy i cant afford to lay a new one as i rather spend the money on what seeds i can grow to eat its only a small area 10ft by 15 ft o dont have paths so it does take hammer i can afford a tenner max for seed but it needs to be something quick to grow etc any simple advice ie rake area sow seed do i need to cover with fleece etc and when to do it my dad says some of the lawn will grow back it had feed and weed in oct and still a bit of moss just want simple instructions not a website if someone canhelp me on this i appreciate it regards dave.

[Kev]

Hi Dave
To germinate grass seeds need moist,warm conditions. Early autumn is the best time to sow the seeds. But i think you can do it in spring if you wish to. Like you said rake the area. Remove large stones and clods of earth then compact the area. Next lightly scratch the top of the soil. sprinkle your seeds over then rake area again but really lightly. Keep well watered job done. Hope this helps.

[Wombat]

G'Day Dave!

what Kev says makes sense!

Also, ff you have a grass which puts out runners and you aren't in a hurry, just give it a bit of (chook) poo in early spring and a bit of water and watch it go!

Nev

[Boots]

Maybe stop cutting it Gunners? Grass goes patchy when its unable to support itself/regenerate, so let it go to seed (bugger buying any when you have it right there), collect the seed before mowing, then mow with a catcher, prepare the patches and apply your seed where you want it. Try and keep traffic off for a bit and keep it wet and she should be back in party mode soon enough.

... as long as its not snowing...

[gunners71uk]

cheers everyone.
dave

[Chickpea]

My lawn is also a disaster area, patchy as a very patchy thing. But it's not from overcutting. We hardly cut it at all. And it's not from wear either. Dunno what's wrong with it. We thought it would improve when the huge fir tree in the middle got cut down and stopped shading it/sucking all the water out of it/dropping fir needles and cones all over it. But no, it looks worse than ever. I think we'll give it a good scarify in the spring and then reseed it.

[Boots]

I didn't mean he was overcutting... Did it sound like that? A lot of lawns never get to reseed themselves because they are lawns, and lawns are meant to be mowed... we often just tend to let them grow and mow before they get to seed.

Depending on the grass, some don't seed until they are over a foot high and that makes for a bit of messy yard for a bit, but it is actually good for a lawn once a year or so. They throw deeper roots and the lawn tends to become a bit hardier. It is also a good excuse for putting your feet up for a bit and telling folks you are just watching the grass grow!

[Chickpea]

OK, I misunderstood. Even so, we hardly mow our lawn at all. It never seems to get higher than about 4" anyway. It does throw up the occasional tall tough seed-bearing stem.

I dunno what's the matter with it. It's contoured like a teenager's face with lumps and bumps and ridges all over, so it's never going to be a bowling green. But it's more brown than green and that's what bugs me. It doesn't even grow dandelions and daisies. Just mud.

If it was completely up to me I'd dig the whole lot up and plant some veggies, but the kids want somewhere to kick a football occasionally and Ed wants somewhere to sit out in a lounger when it's hot.

[Kev]

Hi Chickpea
Thats a bit of a difficult one. The two most common things I no that cause that are poor draining soil. Or a lawn disease called Brown patch.
Brown patch is a fungal disease I Think. It usually starts to appear as circular areas of brown,dead grass.

[Wombat]

or black beetle........

[Kev]

Could Be black beetle Nev. Never come across that one myself. The list goes on