Lawns

You could try to do it manually, but it will be tough. I would really soak it first (maybe put a drop of washing up liquid in a watering can to help "wet" the surface), then try it with a manual tool. They are hard to get any success from though. Ideally you need it done properly with a decent...

Thanks Kris

They'll fall to bits when you rake the lawn (e.g. to get it read for overseeding). If they don't fall to bits then rake it harder

If it comes into contact with them then Yes,

Ive just asked him, he doesnt fancy it

Too much can also burn the grass

by "short" I mean 2inches. It was getting to like 4inches. I just cut it. Just in the nick of time. Didnt harm the patch magic bits.

Nitrogen is taken up by the roots, so rain will be fine (provided it isn't so heavy that it washes the nitrogen into next door's garden!)I don't think it will matter than you feed directly after mowing, although it probably helps to let the grass recover a day or two after mowing. However,...

Thanks I was meaning ordinary sand from a quarry. I need to build up an area of around 2 x 3 metres by around 5 inches to get it flat and to a level flat surface. Could I mix it with say compost 50/50?Keith

Ah, sorry forgot about that.Only shade seems to be the divide between you and your neighbour to the South, or perhaps I have missed something? Is that a very high barrier? In Summer a 6' fence doesn't cast much shadow.Note that you can get a nice stripy lawn with bog standard grass seed,...

You'll have "grass" a month after sowing seed - it will look like green velvet, so to speak, to start with, but [from seed, rather than turf] it would be better to try not to walk on it / much during the winter. I suggest you dig a hole and see what it looks like underneath. If this used to be...

Heavy rain forecast for East Anglia on Saturday. That could wash seed away (you run that risk at any time of course, but avoid if it is forecast only other tangential thought is that many/most? spray-on chemicals (such as selective weedkillers) need a period of dry (often 6 hours, maybe 12...

Couldn't bring myself to press the "like" button Trunky Jenny

I think if I left plugs of soil all over the lawn, the missus would be pretty displeased when lad and I come in the house with them stuck to our shoes and trail them all over.

Oh and they said all there seed comes from america so could be why we nor they can identify the pest!!

I'll just reiterate what I said before - do it right or you'll be doing it again. Another thought - have you considered fake grass? You'll be amazed at how it looks (I was very sceptical before seeing it)

Wow! That's made a big difference Lesley.

Is the growth from bare patches existing turf, previously scalped by the mower, now regrowing? That would happen more quickly than seed germination. Prickly branches, e.g. Holly, scattered over the area can help. Or thin twine / cotton stretched between sticks criss-cross. Or sow some...

I resemble that remark

My first guess is the same as Kris Lords: heavy ground and compacted. If so needs aerating, sulphate of iron applied to kill the moss, which will go black "over night", and then rake it out - which is hard work! (or borrow/hire a machine to do that)