In today’s video, I update you on how both the bent/fescue lawns are looking now that it’s winter.
The big lesson… nature does more than I ever could! Despite following the best advice, things aren’t looking perfect, but nor should they in a tricky space like this. The bottom lawn is looking as good as I expected (a million times better than last year!), but the top lawn is still struggling. But it’s all part of the learning process!
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32 Comments
Good to see an update 👍👍
Mines doing ok in terms of deep shade (no direct sunlight 7 months of the year). disease is the issue i had. It spread everywhere and has been damp for 4 months since. I'll be applying fungicide 6-7 times a year from now on. It's costs about £350 for insignia and dedicate but that more important than anything else. I have a 20 kg bag of terralift tx 10 which is like a far better version of true grass so I don't need to buy anything else. One thing i noticed is that the communal area that had the same grass types that joins onto the soil i dug out and replaced has pretty much all died off (worse than when it was all rye). There is a clear dense line of grass where mine starts.
I would just dig out all of the top lawn or replace of with evergreen trees and large shrubs or try one last time with replacing the top 4-6 inches of soil with 60-70% sand to eliminate root rot as a cause of die off. It's looking worse than it did last year. Bent / fescue does cope well in clay and will die off at a far higher rate. They are for full sun or very sandy soils in shade based on my experience.
It's a real pain having a really shady garden and almost constant rain. All you can do is your best and improve your understanding as you go along. (No stick 😀 👍 It's flipping annoying when people think they have all the answers or that everything magically happens).
I would get rid of top lawn , carefully select a planting scheme to give year-round interest and it would help to screen the wall too.There are many shrubs etc that would enjoy the current soil conditions without to much amendment.
Don't stress,the bulbs you planted,will start shooting soon.
Its not just about grass but enjoying your garden.
Top content ! It can be so frustrating but you have to look on it as a challenge. My lawn is mostly clay and is somewhere in between your 2 lawns. Gonna try some liquid gypsum in the spring to maybe help break up some of the clay. Enjoy your videos. Keep them coming. All the best for 2025 from a very wet scotland
You must be gutted with the amount of effort your putting in and the conditions aren't working with it. Far better than last year so that's a big plus. Think how bad your neighbours must be if they have the same drainage issues and shade. Roll on spring.
I have a very similar situation to your garden where from October to mid April it just gets no sun. I gradually re seeded my lawn to dwarf rye the last few years and in the sunny months it looks incredible. In the shady months terrible and really dies off. I need to change the grass type again slightly to tolerate winter and maybe do some drainage work so learning a lot from your efforts and thoughts 👍
Could try drilling some long longitudinal weep holes into the retaining wall. May be 3-4 in each wall and put a pipe in. Other than that, maybe reconsider going back to a more hard grass type that better suited for the garden you've got. Dwarf rye maybe?
Both lawns look miles better than ever before. No weeds either. As you say ur conditions are different & its probably best you dont scarify any later than August, I do see Gypsum in your future to tackle the clay soils
I overseeded on the 1 st of august and seen great results. Plenty time to establish before winter. plus rainy Ireland was a help
Love your videos bud. But the key to a good lawn after winter is to keep off it. No foot traffic. You will be surprised with the results
i actually think your lawns look ok for your conditions – youve got to remember also that they are both still young and wont be fully established yet. i agree with the hollow tining, probably a bit too aggressive for the time of year, which created spaces that havent had time to fill back in yet. both lawns will fill back in with heat and sunlight. if you need to overseed, get some pure bent seed from germinal and sprinkle over the areas and it will soon take as it doesnt need to be deeply sown. the top lawn you could drill some deep holes with an auger and backfill with sand, also maybe try liquid gypsum
If you have a dog you’re onto a losing battle trying to get the perfect lawn 😂 believe me I’ve been there. They are garden killing machines
Gotta remember we had record highs of wet weather this year too and not much of a summer , lawn looks decent compared to last year im sure it will bounce back well in spring and next winter it will have grown stronger roots too , your turf at the top is new so needs a few years for it to deepen
Buddy don’t despair. It’s it’s 1st year. There’s all that underground stuff going on that’ll come good in spring. My lawn is looking sooo disappointing this year, worm casts have gone to the next level… like seriously mad… love the channel. Gives me some hope as well.
I’d hire a trenching machine and get some drainage in job done
Thanks for your honesty have you considered drilling some deeper drainage holes on that top lawn and using some gypsum
Well done for keeping up with the updates on this. We can all learn a lot from it 👍
Happy New Year to you. Love the channel 👍🏻
With the amount of shade you're back garden gets and lack of sunshine, have you ever considered moving house with a large south facing back garden, you obviously enjoy lawn care and your garden?
Love your channel chap, I have learned SO MUCH from you this year!
You have done amazingly well this year, it’s been a pleasure to watch your journey and I can’t wait to see what 2025 brings to all your lawns as they mature. Said it before, your presenting skills are top notch and your knowledge is superb well done and Happy New Year 👏👏👏
Looking forward to seeing how they bounce back with a bit of feed and no extra seed 😊
I still think it will die unless you excavate the clay subsoil and replace with cpl feet of proper soil then turf…delaying the inevitable…😢
Never known anyone to put as much effort into their lawn as you mate. The glass and garden look a bog drainage much be a real problem, it's never going to get better to you fix that.
For what it's worth, I don't think your issue was hollow tining too late in the year. I've commented on your videos before and you might remember I deal with virtually identical challenges to you (very shady new build back lawn surrounded by man-made structures), and in my opinion the one thing you needn't have done was the top dressing. Hollow tining and then letting those holes close up naturally over winter would be the better option for you.
Keep at it buddy, you're doing great!
Happy new year. Timely video re the drainage on your top lawn as my brother is starting a similar retaining wall / split level lawn project soon and I’ve now told him to add a drain as part of the build to avoid a future issue.
It’s a shame but I fear no matter what you do to the top of the garden it won’t work grass wise. I’d seriously consider repurposing the space eg raised bed planters, greenhouse or one large patio. Maybe even an outdoor kitchen…
I see what you've done against that wall now.
Honestly for wildlife grass lawns are the worst. If you do feel like a change please do consider things like clover and creeping thyme.
why dont you try and add a few vertical french drains on the top lawn… that should help a little