Lawn is a mess, how to best sort it out

[Dr Pips]

After a few years of neglect, I've realised I really need to sort my lawn out. The main problem is a lot of weeds and it being very patch. It is a little uneven as well, but to be honest, I can deal with that.

We have a dog, so I'm not expecting to get a show lawn, but some tips on getting it looking nice would be great.

Thanks,

Dom

[Capsid]

This year I'm trying the lawn meadow approach. I've just mowed down the middle and edges. The buttercups, clover and daisies are all flourishing and I hope to plant some cornflowers which I have sown separately. So perhaps you could try not cutting it and see what happens?

If not then, I would weed and feed and then seed it or cut in new turf with plenty of watering.

[Nicos]

I'm not too good with lawns but a few things jump to mind- although I've not a clue in what order you should do them!!!!

Weed n feed
Airate the soil
Remove thatch
Maybe reseed in parts in the Autumn.

[redser]

Try a weed and feed and regular mowing, that shoud give you an improvement. But leave the refurbishment until the autumn. Scarify with a spring-tine rake. Aerate with a hollow tine aerator. Topdress it and add some grass seed if it is patchy. And in early November when the new grass is strong give it an autumn feed to get it through the winter. It will be beautiful and take off like a rocket in spring.
If you have bad moss at the end of summer, you might use some lawn sand a couple of weeks before scarifying.

[Dr Pips]

Thanks for the tips, I've got some Verdone extra, is that the stuff? Can I aerate with a normal garden fork?

What do you mean by topdress? Is that just a combination of sand and topsoil?

Thanks,

Dom

[Two_Sheds]

If you use Weed n Feed, you can't use the clippings as a mulch for your veggies


Dr Pips, what aspect is your lawn (shady, sunny, north, south?) and what exactly is wrong with it (weedy? mossy?)

[rustylady]

If you use Weed n Feed, you can't use the clippings as a mulch for your veggies


Dr Pips, what aspect is your lawn (shady, sunny, north, south?) and what exactly is wrong with it (weedy? mossy?)

And what is your soil like? No good adding sand if it's sandy already.

[Dr Pips]

South Eastern facing, lots of weeds, not so much moss. I used to have a crap lawn mower that meant I had to rake up the clippings every mow, so that helped with moss and thatch, I think. Clay heavy soil. Also very patchy from me leaving things out on it, and the dog.

Dom

[Two_Sheds]

I had to rake up the clippings every mow

Opinion has now swung, and it's deemed a good thing to leave the clippings on the lawn, to feed it (small amounts of fine clippings, not great big chunks)

[redser]

You can make different mixes for top dressing depending on your soil. As it is heavy clay sharp sand would be a good addition in the mix as you could sweep it into the holes. It's best to take plugs out of the soil with an aerator rather than use a fork. Forking will help but it does basically compact the soil.

[redser]

If you use Weed n Feed, you can't use the clippings as a mulch for your veggies

Sorry for going off topic a bit but my wife used feed and weed on the lawn. Would you have any idea how long I would have to wait before I could use the clippings as mulch? Thanks

[Dr Pips]

On the packet I bought it said, leave the clippings on the lawn for the first mow, then after that make sure it's been composted for at least 9 months. Not sure if that helps.

The Verdone Extra that I bought just says weedkiller, does that mean I need to get a lawn feed as well?

Dom

[redser]

Thanks. Dont have the bottle any more but I guess it would be similar. So I'll have to compost it instead of using it to mulch. Cheers