Be kind. I'm a noob. So I've never really given much care to my lawn. We have a spaniel, a toddler and live in a new build in Hampshire, UK.
The other day I heard my wife telling my neighbour that we had "given up on our garden". I took that personally.
So, I don't have a big budget, but I'm happy to graft. Returfing is not an option. I don't mind a bit of biodiversity, doesn't need to be all pristine, but I am just over the mudbath it is. It's very clayey (old farmland that's been heavily overworked for decades).
I appreciate January is not the best time for me to find this motivation but I mowed (highest setting) and aerated it (by hand 😴) this morning and I've ordered a winter lawn dressing which arrives tomorrow and I'll stick down per instruction on the packet. I'll try my best to keep the family off it.
My plan is to overseed in April. I'm not in a rush, I just want to make it a bit better.
Question is for you: is there anything else I can do to help it now? Is my plan reasonable? Have I already screwed up and should I just give up?
by willmm1993
4 Comments
If its really all clay, I would try to amend with some lighter material such as compost or peat to soften it up and provide some organic material to feed the plant material.
If it’s actually mostly clay you can apply lime and gypsum (per packet instructions) to help bring the pH back in line with what turf wants. Try fertilising and increasing your water schedule. If there’s one place to spend money it’s probably on irrigation. Can be easily done yourself.
You want us to help her shit talk your lawn? Shouldn’t be hard.
Topsoil over aeration, water, re-aerate, water.