dogs ruined lawn

Due to recent weather and the fact I have three outdoor dogs, my lawn has recently taken a battering and looks a mess

Any advice for recovery would be much appreciated

Shaun

 

Drainage is the usual main problem, Shaun. If you can get that right, then you've got a chance of not having squelchy grass when it rains a lot, and hard-baked, rock-hard clay in a hot summer.

The main thing is to get a fork ( a normal border or digging one) and dig it into the grass at regular interval, so that you get lots of little holes from the tines, then brush in either top-dressing (available made-up and ready to use from GCs, and places like B+Q, or you can make up your own, see following link for ratio and recipe! http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/organic_lawncare.shtml ) or just sharp sand.

That link tells you other things you can do to look after your lawn - well worth a read. :D

You can't do a lot abouthe dogs, other than clean up instantly, and if they're females, pour water over where they widdle, to dilute it, and reduce the effects of it.... I have the same problem - 3 dogs, 2 of them females, so you have my symapthy.

Have fun!

 

many thanks

i think it is the drainage as the southern edge is mainly trees so very little sun on the lawn.

There arnt any patches from urine just from the racing around, looks like we've had a trials bike doing laps!

I'll be busy forking this weekend now - how deep would you say?

shaun
www.staffordspringgardenshow.co.uk

 

As deep as the tines will go! It's great fun! But I wouldn't do it if it's frosted, or incredibly soggy, as it won't do the grass any good to walk on it. If the weather doesn't improve, you might be better to wait until about March, and you can re-seed any bare patches, which should take well as spring starts.

If you have deep ruts from the dogs' circuits, you can fill them in with soil, compact it, and seed them too - but it won't take just now - that's definitely a spring thing! Just let the dogs run for now! :D

 

many thanks, getting a new puppy early last year has revitalised my old bitch ( 7 y.o.) they spend all day tearing around chasing one another and play fighting, even after they've been out for a run with me on my push bike

Shaun
www.staffordspringgardenshow.co.uk