What order to do everything?

Hi all,

We've moved into a house with a garden (approx. 100 sq m) and I'm keen to get the lawn in good condition for the babies to play on. Only problem is, I know very little as this is our first garden and I'm a tad confused.

To make this more fun, it turns out that our house close to what used to be a brick factory... so naturally we have very clay soil... and a lawn which is about 90% moss!

I think I know what is required and have bought and borrowed some bits to use... but have no idea what order I should be doing things... which is where I'm hoping you guys can help.

I've cut the grass, leaving it high and yesterday used an electric raker (at the highest setting, as I didn't want to decimate the grass) to pull up the moss... I then followed this a manual raking to finished up.

There is some moss left so I was going to put down Iron Sulphate and then re-rake.

I also want to put down general lawn weedkiller as there is a large amount of clover.

I've bought some Scotts Lawn Builder 'Lawn Food' and I've borrowed a Rolling Lawn Aerator to spike the lawn.

So my question is... what do people think is the best order to do the above?!
I would think that the lawn needs aerating then a feed after me attacking it with the raker last night. Right? Or does the lawn feed help the weeds grow too?

Oh and one more question... from what I've read I also believe that the garden would benefit from hollow-tine aeration, but that is in September, right?

Thanks!
Phil

And this is just the lawn, I haven't started on the plants yet!
How do you guys remember all of this?!!

 

Oh wait, I forgot to mention over-seeding and potentially using sharp sand!

I read another post from Sheal saying weed killer first before seed, otherwise the seed would most likely get damaged, which seems sensible.

So now I'm thinking...

1. Scarify (done)
2. Aerate (done)
3. Feed then wait a week or so
4. Mow
5. Iron Sulphate/rake out
6. Weed killer (for the clover etc)
7. Overseed
8. Wait until August, hollow-tine and fill holes with sharp sand
9. Autumn feed

How does that sound?!

Thanks in advance.

- Edit: I appreciate that there should be one or two more mows in there before Autumn! I put point 4 in as a pre-cursor to step 5.

 

Hi there iam, it's me from the other post! I've just written a post here that may help you.

http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/threads/patchy-bumpy-grass.64435/

I'm going to re-arrange your list if that's okay.

1. Scarify (done)
2. Iron sulphate, if this is for moss.
3. Scarify...... (raking out moss or using a machine to do the work is scarifying)
4. Mow if necessary
5. Weedkiller
6. Aerate (Done).......this is at the point when I would have done it, but not a problem
7. Feed.....I'd leave this until at least two weeks after weedkiller.
8. Overseed......six weeks or so after feed or the new grass will outgrow it's strength. It's best not to feed new grass in it's first season, so it would be wise to leave that until next spring.
9. Autumn feed......preferably not as I said above. Autumn feeding lawns is a new idea in recent years. I personally have never done it and think it's a waste of time and money as it usually gets washed through the soil by late season rain, but obviously it's up to the individual.

Mow where you can in between the steps above but remember that you shouldn't mow three days before or after weedkiller or feed.

Hollow tining if necessary should be done before over seeding.

 

I manage by leaving the lawn to it's own devices thereby freeing memory space for the plants.

 

@Sheal thanks for that! I wasn't too far away from a sensible plan then... good to know.

On that other post you talk about using sand to open up clay soil... so guessing this is something I should be considering doing?

Going on the above; would this happen along with hollow-tine aeration...
So on your list... er... 7a hollow tine and 7b sweep in some sharp sand?

Also (sorry!!)... the front lawn has quite a few bare patches, which I was told could be damage from leatherjackets. Is that simple enough to treat with nematodes - or am I going a bit mad-scientist at the first opportunity there? Is it time for another numbered list?

 

I don't wish to sound patronising Iam, but yes, you did very well with your plan and you obviously aren't a complete beginner.

Sand, grit or fine gravel is always good to open up clay but generally it is best done before the lawn is laid. Yes, it's a good idea to put down the sand after hollow tining as you can sweep it into the holes. Sand also helps to keep moss at bay.

I have some yellowing patches on my back lawn, probably from lack of feed ( I have sandy soil) but could also be from leatherjackets. I tend to let nature take it's own course to a certain degree so I know absolutely nothing about nematodes. I don't feel the need to control leatherjackets and there are plenty of birds like starlings and jackdaws that help me out in that respect.

Try feeding the front lawn first and see how it goes for a couple of months. If the patches don't disappear or return again later then it's more likely to be the leatherjackets.

Lawns are probably the hardest thing in gardens to maintain and you will find as time goes on that you will join many gardeners here on GC and live with a non-perfect lawn. My back lawn is in pretty good condition, my front lawn is probably 80% moss. I've given up the fight with it!

 

Morning @Sheal , I'm very much a beginner I'm afraid! This is my first garden and the grass is just the first thing I'm tackling! It's currently in quite good condition, very pretty and has obviously been well cared for by someone who knew what they were doing... I'm determined not to let it fall into ruin before our second baby arrives in September!

I'll see how the front lawn gets one with a feed etc then look at chemical warfare with the grubs if that fails.

Now I have a vague idea of what to do with the grass, I'll try to identify all the plants I need to look after!

Thanks again.