Environmental lawn?

[Caldan]

Hi,

I am new to the site and gardening but am hoping enthusiasm can make up for knowledge! I have recently moved into a property and for first time have some decent outside space. I have three chickens and by summer hope to have a fruit cage and put up my vegetable beds. I have been keenly composting and so hope to be able to have a good organic and - as much as possible - self-sufficient space,

However I am lifting the current very poor clay and compacted lawn. I want to relay a lawn type area as a family area for my very forgiving partner (she does not question I now pee in a bottle for my compost) and toddler. She basically wants to be able to lie in it and I want to teach the toddler to play footy etc etc. I want it to be ecologically moral!

I have explored the wildflower turf options but not sure they would allow us the ability to actually use the space (we have a medium sized garden) and so I would really appreciate an thoughts or advice anyone could offer,

Thanks in advance for any responses.

[Darwin.]

Hi Caldan, I'm afraid I don't know enough to help you but I have to ask, do you really pee on your compost

[Caldan]

Hi Caldan, I'm afraid I don't know enough to help you but I have to ask, do you really pee on your compost

I have a lot of carbon heavy compostables (as previous house owners seemed to be farming brambles) and so yes I give them a 'natural' nitrogen boost. I did not and my heap was at 0degrees for weeks. With the 'natural' addition it quickly increased to 10-15degrees so presume is working.

[PyreneesPlot]

Hello and welcome.

Can't help with the lawn either as we have just a field, although as it is full of wildflowers (weeds) it is quite environmental and pretty. If yolu like creeping buttercup!

[veggiechicken]

Hi Caldan and welcome from me too. I know nothing about lawns - sorry. I just grow whatever is there
As for collecting liquid gold, good for you! Darwin ^^^ this may be your next lesson
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ser_65469.html

[Bigmallly]

Welcome to the vine Caldan, I know nowt about grass either, the green or the wacky kind......

[shepp726]

welcome caldan,

sorry to say it, but, am no good with lawns either.

am sure the lawn specialists are still in bed dreaming of rollers, aerators, mole traps and the like.

enjoy the site.

[alldigging]

Ecologically doing as little as possible to the existing lawn makes more sense.
Shipping in materials isn't eco.
Leave it until spring properly arrives and then repair any bad bits or look at why they're bad and adjust things.

Lawns don't need watering in a drought (although people do frequently waste water) and one for playing on needs very little attention.
Don't worry about it getting scuffed if it is scuffed already.

Might not be everyone's view but I don't see any point i wasting money doing up a lawn for kids to play on.

[chris]

Welcome to the forum. I'm another compost wee'er. However, I'm rather crude and just stand atop of my daleks and water them that way.

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine Caldan

[Two_Sheds]

do you really pee on your compost

Doesn't everyone?

[Two_Sheds]

I am lifting the current very poor clay and compacted lawn. I want to relay a lawn type area

So you're removing a lawn to plant a lawn ???

I don't get it. More info please !

[alldigging]

They sell astroturf at the carpet shop and costco.

A lawn at this time of year is going to look rough. If it had kids and dogs on it previously it'll be scruffy.

[redser]

Can you start with a photo Caldan? Oftentimes people go for the nuclear option with lawns and start digging it up. Whereas renovating an existing lawn, even one in very poor shape can be a much easier/quicker/cheaper option.
Dont run out and start hacking away at it just yet. At least get this book and read up first.
Amazon.co.uk: Buying Choices: The Lawn Expert

1p plus shipping

Lidl and Aldi have all their lawn stuff in at the moment (seed, fertiliser, repair kit etc.)

[Caldan]

Hi all,

Thanks for the comments. And redser thanks for book link will definitely read that,

And to explain my madness! I want to start again with lawn for following reasons (did not decide quickly as major work to do!):
1) there are major tree roots over it which I am digging out as at moment I just think is dangerous for kiddo. I am doing the painstaking manual way and am shocked at just how big these are. However, am putting behind some trees at back of garden so can rot away there over the next few years!
2) the garden is either dray as concrete or under water. Heavy clay which has been compacted and seems to have been a regular place to have fires burning previously. Therefore be good to dig it over anyway and get some sharp sand added to improve drainage. If I don't do this I won't be able to use it the majority of the time anyway.
3) I am installing raised beds at the front part of the lawn (as only place there is room) so figure will do it all as one big job and then hopefully l can just grow and do the nicer stuff for many a year. Therefore be quite nice to change the gradient slightly for the beds and hopefully if better drainage I can maximise the benefit of the south facing garden.

Phew, hopefully that is a bit of an explanation. I thought about trying to lift the grass that is there but no point it is mainly mud anyway as been underwater on and off for weeks (with chickens running around) and it would not survive it. However based on some feedback here and from The quite helpful wildflower companies i contacted i have a slightly changed question!

Now wondering If I can source some grass seed which will produce a good lawn but which is a wider blend of natural grasses so that it will need less water, no chemical fertiliser etc. to keep th other half happy I happy to mow and scarifying etc just don't want to keep having to add too much water and food.

Thanks again for everyone's input,