A new tactic (for me) to get the lawn I want.

I am giving up 'blanket weed treatment' on my lawn.

I noticed there wasn't any particular infestation of weed, other than a coupe of score of dandelion. (A biggish lawn too) I decided to feed the lawn, weeds and all, as I smelled rain this evening; and he rain duly arrived. When the grass has greened again after it's latest scalping and soaking, I will be able to see the dandelions, and will be 'spot weeding' them. Then I shall broadcast some John Innes No 1, mixed with grass seed , and let it grow on a little before a light mowing in a month or so

I shall continue that routine until I notice a green, lush weed free lawn emerging. Then it's just a regular mowing, rolling, feeding and greening.

I wonder if i will work?

 

That's all I do with my lawn manually weed and feed it when I feed the borders every two weeks, its not at it best yet but looking good, last year I used weed n feed and burnt it, i only have a small lawn but its worth the time and effort to manually weed.

 

That's a lovely lawn Martin; exactly what I am looking for.
An uncle of mine took over a new house years gone. His lawn was a lush green carpet of broad leaved grass that was like a shag-pile carpet. He claimed that all he had ever done was weed, feed and over-seed the plot, just as he found it; removing the odd stone, or house-brick. I think there might have been more to it than that, although he was a passionate gardener.
So well done Martin.

 

Many thanks Wc, I wasn't quite that lucky with my new house but it came along at the right money,

It was lots worse than this photo covered in brambles trees fallen tress etc etc,



The above picture was early 2014,

Early 2015, put your glasses on lol


So my lawn is quite new, I did do some over seeding last year but that was more down to burning it with weed n feed, it was my own fault btw I didn't use a spreader,

While it continues to look like this I will continue doing as I have been,

I cut the grass on the shortest cut Wednesday, we had company Thursday and a few guest thought it was astro turf made me smile but felt pleased within, the red bit on the first picture is the area below now,

 

Well this is my lawn right now, after a series of hospital visits forced me to neglect it.





I had it scalped on Tuesday last. Just a few green shoots peeping through.. Please excuse the broken down bench. I am awaiting delivery of some cedar wood to repair it! The timber cost more than the bench in the first place, but it should last forever! (ish)

 

As Shiney states let the rain bring it back. Don't add any type of fertiliser to it as the grass is weak and in a simple form is stressed out and a feed will just do damage at this stage.
If it's dry water it morning and evening to aid it's recovery then see what's going on and go from there.

 

Well for the last few days we have had torrential rain at night, so that's nature playing for me for once. I don't have a hose any more so I had better get myself one! Come to think of it I must get a couple of outside taps fitted too!
Has anyone had any experience with these new, collapsible hoses?



Wobbly

 

As mentioned I am sure the grass will recover,

I bought a cast bench set,

http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/threads/work-in-progress.92831/page-3#post-1019018

You can buy ready made restoration kits, but like you say not cheap but a nice looking bench/seat when finished.
http://www.arbc.co.uk/bench-kits

 

I am envious of your garden set for sure. Reminded me, one can often find these cast iron bench ends on eBay. So may people dispose of them that way, or worse, just skip them!

Also I have cause for a little celebration this evening. it's pouring rain again. Feel sorry for those who planned a barbie, but it's doing my lawn the world of no harm!

Wobbly (I really do empathise if your barbie was washed out! Get out the portable gazebo and have fun. )

 

Many thanks Wc, the set I bought was a local advert but like you say they turn up on ebay all the time. and as you say some peeps through them out,

A friend of mine collects scrap and often has them ebay, I showed him the set I had and told him to let me know if he finds any, the other day he knocked on the door and said he had a pair the same,

After taking a look there was the same he charged me £10, I will be making four bench seats as and when time permits,

Yes certainly not Barbie weather not her anyhow but certainly good for the garden everything is looking nice and green.

 

My bench still awaits re timbering. Just can't get into the workshop.
Here's the lawn now. Scalped yesterday, but it's improved a lot.

 

It's greening up nicely!

 

Indeed it is Sian. I just have a few, small 'sink-holes' to level and seed, and I'll be able to expose my 50 year old beer-belly to the sun!