Replacing a lawn

[gingerneil]

I'm not sure where to post this question- so I'll try my luck in 'Digging Around'!

We have just moved house, and the lawn in the back garden looks a mess. I dug a hole to set an airing line in post-fix, and below about the top inch, the rest is very loose sand. The top inch is dark and looks to be full of thatch - there are lots of patches where grass is not growing, but its doing well in some. I am thinking about digging the lot up and starting again....

So, whats the best approach, and how far down do I need to dig ? With such a large amount of sandy sub-soil, I expect drainage will be good. Should I just go down an arbitary foot or so (filling a decent sized skip, but using a little to add to raised beds when I build then), refill with compost, topsoil and an assortment of things like BF&B / growmore etc ? I then plan to lay turf rather than seed.

Anny advice much appreciated.

[Nicos]

I don't know much about laying lawns- but I understand that, of the two time periods for doing it, the Autumn is better than the Spring, because the turves need less watering to become established.

My gut feeling says a foot deep is a bit much for the areas you are turning over to grass though

[gingerneil]

Maybe dig down a foot but dont remove it all ? I guess I could replace about half - holding some of the sand in there will help drainage etc ?

[Glutton4...]

Grass will grow like mad on sand. Personally, I would just rake over the whole area to remove any thatch. This will get the air to the grass. Then sprinkle grass seed into the thin areas, and water it. If you have cat/dog/bird problems, just peg some net over the seeded areas. You should have a fab lawn in no time, with far less effort and expense than you were expecting.

I wish I had taken before and after pictures of one of my Customers' lawns. We did that to his this year, and it looks lovely. I think he's been out at night with the sprinkler though, as he's been mowing his all summer!

[gingerneil]

Thanks for the tips - I'll give it a bit of face lift rather than a full transplant and see how it goes. I can always dig it out next year!
When would you recommend I do it ? Autumn, or any time ?

[gingerneil]

oh, and any particular type / brand of seed ? I used to rake in the cheapo wilko stuff in my old garden, but not sure if others are better ?

[Glutton4...]

I had a huge sack of Paddock Mix!!! I've used that. Also did the grass verge outside my Folks' house with the same stuff. Looks good!

Do it when you like. If it's too dry, just water it once a day, to keep the soil moist. You'll probably get enough moisture from the dew in the mornings now, but you can monitor it on a daily basis.

[Two_Sheds]

I would just rake over the whole area to remove any thatch. ... Then sprinkle grass seed into the thin areas, and water it.

Me too, in fact that's what I'm doing on the back lawn. As I dig out a dandelion, I sprinkle in some grass seed.
I certainly wouldn't strip everything out and start again, unless your lawn is seriously uneven and needed levelling.

[Two_Sheds]

oh, and any particular type / brand of seed ?

Depends if your lawn is hard-working, shady, or if you want a fine bowling-green type of lawn. Do a little research first, it'll be worth it.

[Snadger]

If you want a pristine lawn you need a Fescue/Bent mix of seed. If you want a hardwearing lawn a turf type ryegrass is the way to go. If you want a bit of both there are also mixes of the three main grass cultivars plus others available.

Seeding is probably best in September where as November is best for turf.

[gingerneil]

If you want a pristine lawn you need a Fescue/Bent mix of seed. If you want a hardwearing lawn a turf type ryegrass is the way to go. If you want a bit of both there are also mixes of the three main grass cultivars plus others available.

Seeding is probably best in September where as November is best for turf.

Thanks. We have 2 kids, so hard wearing would be my wish. I'll do some interwebbing for turf mixes.