Lawn Problems

slookietipp · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 5:54 pm Post subject: Lawn Problems

Hi all, that time of the year again, when the lawns start needing attention. My back lawn is rectangular, and at a guess 45ftx25ft. Anyway, because of the relatively wet winter, and 3 dogs constantly running and digging it up, it is gone very patchy, and needs attention asap! There is one big patch in the middle, that is patchy enough, but will probably come right when the weather improves. Then there are a few sections where there is no grass at all, and the soil is all compacted. And finally, to make matters worse, the youngest dog has taken to digging random holes in the lawn. I think I have her corrected on this, so hopefully that's the end of it. Anyway, any advice on how to get the perfect lawn back. I cut it last week, just the bare bit, and left the shreddings off on it.
The holes that the dog made, do I just fill with topsoil and re-seed, and then roll? The big patchy area in the middle, I was thinking of mixing sand, seed and fertiliser. Dunno what to do with the compacted areas. I'm kinda clueless, but want to get it sorted asap, so any advice appreciated.

Greengage · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 5:58 pm Post subject:

The perfect lawn needs a lot of attention, this is not possible with dogs either you want a perfedt lawn or the dogs, one must go.

slookietipp · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 6:54 pm Post subject:

ponddigger · Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:51 pm Post subject: lawn

hi st any photos of your garden so we might help Very Happy

ponddigger Very Happy

slookietipp · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 7:46 am Post subject:

Ok heres a few pics

michael brenock · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:37 am Post subject:

the lawn appears to have been made with soil that contains no stones, probably sieved out. The soil needs to be mixed with coarser soil or some grit and re-seeded. Do not put fertiliser in with seed, add it afterwards when grasss is growing. Drainage might also be a problem. Test for drainage is dig a hole with a spade one foot deep and one foot square and after a wet period of rain see how long it takes the water to soak away. If it takes more than a day then it needs attention in draining.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

Greengage · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:21 pm Post subject:

Ive seen worse so dont be disillousioned, Id rotovate it add some grit and reseed. If you have the money you could also lay roll out grass turf.
Clean up after the dogs regularly and if you have a bitch her urine will burn the grass not sure how to solve that unless you can explain to her she must not wee on the grass, after all the other fella got the picture not to be digging holes.