Patchy lawn

Hi, thanks to everyone who replied to my previous thread.

Further on from that, i have noticed several patches on the lawn where the soil is visable, not only that, but the soil looks really 'worn out'. From a novices perspective, it doesan't look like grass seed will take too well. Can I sprinkle fertlizer, top soil or maybe something else to try and add some nutriants to the soil?

Cheers

Murdoch

 

I would aerate the lawn before topdressing and seeding. I would also feed the whole lawn and see what happens. However bare in mind the bare patches may not be to do with lack of nutriens but some root feeding bugs.

 

Cheers Fran, with out sounding rather dumb, how do you aerate the lawn? Years ago i saw some boots with lots of spikes on the bottom, i assume to aerate. However, I haven't see anything like them for ages, what do I use to aerate?

Also, would a sprinkling of compost help? I need to re-seed patches, so I was think about putting some seed down and covering the seed with either compost or fresh top soil. Any thoughts?

Cheers

Murdoch

 

Aeration is to undo the harm caused by compactions.

You can get a machine but I don't rate them very much - for me unless your lawn is big - the best method is with a fork - but its mind numbingly dull - so chose a day when you want to relax.

Heel fork in, lever back a little, remove fork, move sideways one foot and repeat. When row completed, come back the other way one fot behind the last row.

Brush in sand, apply top soil - and then seed, and protect from birds and owners feet :D

 

it has to be sharp sand [concreting/horticultural].... gritty, not the kind used for mortar,
top dressing with topsoil / sand loam plus slow release autum fertiliser then broadcast on grass seed, the seed needs to be on top, it is really quite late in the year for grass seed, but it can all be done in spring