New lawn

[mysteryduck]

Hello! I've inherited a "lawn" (see photo).. mostly moss.. and a bit dead looking.. a couple of good grass circles at the top though I'm wondering if it's worth rescuing? And if so, how? Otherwise I'm thinking of getting a spade and removing the lot.

Which leads to my second question. We don't own a mower, storage is limited and the patch is small. So I was thinking of alternatives.. I'd love a flowery meadow, but that seems problematic (when it dies off in the winter) and possibly too tall for the space. Creeping thyme seems another option but Google warns of winter aesthetics, as well as woodiness and legginess. Are there other options I've not considered?

Alternatively I could reseed the lawn with an appropriate mix? I think it's clay soil (seems to be spongy after rain) so that might be why the lawn is messed up. Then I could cut it with some long handled shears? Or maybe a strimmer? Please advise...

[Martin H]

Can't see the picture!

If you haven't got space for a mower, I'd give up on the idea of a lawn. You could put down some quality weed-proof membrane and cover with gravel? Or you could put down fake grass, easily maintained with hose and hoover? As long as you've enough room to put down a couple of sunloungers and a little table for the G&T, you could use the rest of the space to grow flowers or veg...

[veggiechicken]

No photo!
How about using it for chickens?

[mysteryduck]

Oh no! Photo is up now I hope. This is the front of the house by the way. I did think about vegging it up. But since this is my first year growing, I'm a bit shy and might mess up.. and since we just moved here, I don't know what the neighbours would think

[bikermike]

It does (to my inexpert eye) look to be mainly moss, which needs to be killed/removed (chemical or mechanical methods). I suspect you'd need to do a lot of re-seeding (and covering it to keep the pigeons etc off whilst it got itself sorted).

re-turfing would be quicker.

AIUI, generally speaking, any re-turfing is best done with a layer of sand (sand/soil mix?) under it to improve drainage and level it out.

As a result, there is a lot more physical work to re-turfing that you would either need to do or get paid for.

You could cut a lawn that size with a strimmer (mains ones now cost about £20), or a little cheap mower would do it. Drawback with a strimmer is you'd need to rake up the cuttings if you want to compost them.

I'd not do fake grass, it's not wildlife friendly.

[nickdub]

The world's your lobster really, as the possibilities are almost infinite.

The main constraints to consider are :-
a) how much time and energy do you want to devote to gardening ?
b) will you be away for extended periods in the Summer ?
c) is there anything you particularly fancy doing with the space eg encouraging wildlife ?

Personally I'd rule out a lawn because its a lot of work keeping it looking good, unless you want to practice your putting, its dead useless if not v large, and it is hopeless for birds etc as it provides no cover for them.

As I like natural stuff I'd start with a pond, as I'm lazy I'd add in some flowering shrubs particularly scented ones and climbers and as I'm a bit of a rebel I'd sneak in a few bits of fruit and veg like loganberries and/or climbing beans.

BTW consider which side of the garden the sun is on, don't forget to make use of vertical space, and be wary of being tempted to plant something which will become humongous like a monkey-puzzle tree.

[mysteryduck]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! .. very inspiring

To answer some questions..

• I'm willing to put in a bit of work, but due to my early onset old age (bad back, creaky knees, and whatnot) I'd rather potter about than do any hard labour
• I will be around in the summer
• I'd most definitely like to attract wildlife.. and I'd like to grow veg (though will be doing this in the back primarily).. scented flowers and climbers sound great.. though I think it's a bit small for a pond?
• and the sun rises from the top left-ish of the photo

Most folks round here seem to opt for a lawn with a small tree in the middle.. or all gravel with a few pots. I think giving up on the lawn might be the best bet.. but I don't want to fill it with gravel.. and I don't want too much exposed soil.. hmm

[lottie dolly]

If it were me,i would up the lawn,or just lay on top,some decorative labing of some sort with weed membrane under,or wooden squares you can buy,or make your own from palllets or spare wood,and stain a color,different chippings and gravels,can look very nice,but still grow weeds in them,if say some slabs were laid,it would give something to walk on if the ground is soggy,and grow some plants in between,like little beds,even grow some dwarf french beans,that will be usefull,and maybe get the neighbours twitching,as to what the new plants are,grow flowers in the borders for polinators,i also second no false grass,the weeds grow well in it,if only for this year,it will give you some breathing space untill you get a feel for it,good luck,don't forget,you could put some herbs ext in tubs/buckets as well,
just read your post,do something different and modern hehehehe.

[mysteryduck]

If it were me,i would up the lawn,or just lay on top,some decorative labing of some sort with weed membrane under,or wooden squares you can buy,or make your own from palllets or spare wood,and stain a color,different chippings and gravels,can look very nice,but still grow weeds in them,if say some slabs were laid,it would give something to walk on if the ground is soggy,and grow some plants in between,like little beds,even grow some dwarf french beans,that will be usefull,and maybe get the neighbours twitching,as to what the new plants are,grow flowers in the borders for polinators,i also second no false grass,the weeds grow well in it,if only for this year,it will give you some breathing space untill you get a feel for it,good luck,don't forget,you could put some herbs ext in tubs/buckets as well,
just read your post,do something different and modern hehehehe.

Snap! I just spotted a photo on Pinterest and came back to ask some more questions. This sounds like a plan I like the wooden squares idea. I can get some cheap raised bed kits from b&q and checkerboard the whole lot, maybe two inches high, with a windy slab path through it. If I put taller flowers near the front wall, I can hide veg in the squares closer to the house

To do this, do I need to remove the grass/moss, or can I just bury it? Do I need to membrane the whole area? Even inside the squares?

Link for reference:
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/494762709058811457/
https://tinyurl.com/ybk3xbqs

[lottie dolly]

grass or moss,is fine put on a compost heap,it all depends on what amout of time and body work you want/can put in,if the mebrane is put all over,it should kill whats under neith it,and cut out where you want planting holes,you could also dig out the strong dark green grass,and lightly till,fork over,just to break up the top so water can drain better,it's all down to what you can manage.

[nickdub]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! .. very inspiring

To answer some questions..

• I'm willing to put in a bit of work, but due to my early onset old age (bad back, creaky knees, and whatnot) I'd rather potter about than do any hard labour
• I will be around in the summer
• I'd most definitely like to attract wildlife.. and I'd like to grow veg (though will be doing this in the back primarily).. scented flowers and climbers sound great.. though I think it's a bit small for a pond?
• and the sun rises from the top left-ish of the photo

Most folks round here seem to opt for a lawn with a small tree in the middle.. or all gravel with a few pots. I think giving up on the lawn might be the best bet.. but I don't want to fill it with gravel.. and I don't want too much exposed soil.. hmm

OK we're zeroing in on what has the makings of a starting plan which sounds workable.

First one further question - do you want to include somewhere to sit out eg space for deck-chairs or a bench ?
Second forget about a grass lawn, the space is too small in my way of thinking for anything like that to be doable alongside other uses. ( I reckon the neighbours are just going with tradition - most people are innately conservative in their habits)

No you can get in a small pond, and in fact I'd build my first cut design by positioning one - probably a prefab plastic unit near one corner of the space - preferably the sunny one as ponds need light too - you can either build up the ground around it to create shape or sink it down to ground level, as you prefer.

Make a list of a few climbers and scented shrubs you fancy if you wish to and I'm sure we'd all love to comment - my suggestions a scented climbing rose (lots to choose from), viburnum bodnantensis and clematis armandii a scented evergreen.

A tree or not a tree only you can say - if you opt for one I'd go for an apple on a semi-dwarf root-stock as it will give you lovely scented flowers in the spring, fruit in the Autumn , somewhere to hang a bird-feeder and won't grow too large.

What on opportunity to turn a drab blank canvas in to a lovely garden.

BTW a garden is always a work in progress, with opportunities to add to it at every turn - no mention of bulbs or herbs so far for example.

[mysteryduck]

OK we're zeroing in on what has the makings of a starting plan which sounds workable.

First one further question - do you want to include somewhere to sit out eg space for deck-chairs or a bench ?
Second forget about a grass lawn, the space is too small in my way of thinking for anything like that to be doable alongside other uses. ( I reckon the neighbours are just going with tradition - most people are innately conservative in their habits)

No you can get in a small pond, and in fact I'd build my first cut design by positioning one - probably a prefab plastic unit near one corner of the space - preferably the sunny one as ponds need light too - you can either build up the ground around it to create shape or sink it down to ground level, as you prefer.

Make a list of a few climbers and scented shrubs you fancy if you wish to and I'm sure we'd all love to comment - my suggestions a scented climbing rose (lots to choose from), viburnum bodnantensis and clematis armandii a scented evergreen.

A tree or not a tree only you can say - if you opt for one I'd go for an apple on a semi-dwarf root-stock as it will give you lovely scented flowers in the spring, fruit in the Autumn , somewhere to hang a bird-feeder and won't grow too large.

What on opportunity to turn a drab blank canvas in to a lovely garden.

BTW a garden is always a work in progress, with opportunities to add to it at every turn - no mention of bulbs or herbs so far for example.

No need to include a seating area. It's out front so I'd feel a bit self conscious.. A small pond could be interesting though, particularly for the wildlife aspect!

Feeling positively inspired by everyone's comments by the way.. the problem now is can I fit everything in the small space!

Not looked at climbers yet and don't know anything about plants, scented or otherwise. So I'm having a browse on Crocus.co.uk, as they have 20% off some stuff. I'm trying to find hardy (Scottish climate) perennials (worried about annuals dying in the winter leaving gaps) that aren't too tall (need to see out of front window and garden is small). My colour scheme seems to be purple, with a dash of white and red.

A small tree might be nice, but it couldn't be a fruit tree as I'd have to net it when it fruits.. so I'll leave that option to think about another day..

Current plan is a small pond, small windy path with very small plants between each slab, and chequerboard ever-so-slightly raised beds throughout (so I can hide veg near in the middle). I don't want to be too crazy so will have to try and blend things in a bit.. Also need to lift turf, get weed mesh, and get cheap top soil.. To think I came here looking for ways to fix the moss problem!

• hakonechloa-macra
• liriope-muscari-moneymaker
• geranium-macrorrhizum-white-ness
• salvia-nemorosa-caradonna
• knautia-macedonica
• helleborus-×-hybridus-double-ellen-purple
• helleborus-×-hybridus-double-ellen-pink-spotted
• luzula-nivea
• achillea-ptarmica-the-pearl-group-the-pearl-clonal
• allium-purple-rain

[ESBkevin]

This looks like a great location for a camomile lawn.

It's green and decorative, lovely scent, soft underfoot (if not particularly hard wearing), low maintenance once planted with no need of a mower.

You'd have something very special and the envy of neighbours. Not as easy to lay as a bit of turf I suspect but what the heck.

I've never done one so can't tell you more detail unfortunately, but this is the RHS link

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=281

[mysteryduck]

This looks like a great location for a camomile lawn.

It's green and decorative, lovely scent, soft underfoot (if not particularly hard wearing), low maintenance once planted with no need of a mower.

You'd have something very special and the envy of neighbours. Not as easy to lay as a bit of turf I suspect but what the heck.

I've never done one so can't tell you more detail unfortunately, but this is the RHS link

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=281

Intriguing! But requires regular mowing so would be a bit tricky for me. Thanks for the idea though! and thank you everyone else too!

[mysteryduck]

The Chinese Dogwood grows to 7m but is apparently an "excellent specimen tree for a small garden or woodland edge". Is this some kind of bonsai process? If I continually prune the tree to keep it small will it stay healthy?

https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/co...s/classid.978/