Lawn Advice

[garyp]

I've just visited a lawn which hasn't faired too well over winter and wondering what advice you might have.

 

The lawn has a drainage problem and was damp all year round. They originally had it re-layed twice which didn't solve the grass dampness and dying problems. I did some hollow-tine aeration on it 2 years ago and that seemed to considerably improve it, the grass didn't die, it was actually dry in summer and the customer was very happy.

 

The top of the lawn (which would have been in shade during the winter months) looks basically moss now and has very little grass. I'm guessing the snow in December and retained moisture meant excellent conditions for moss. The rest of the lawn gets better as it moves away from the house.

 

From my knowledge I would probably... Moss Kill then scarify. Probably some lawn seed to help fill the gaps and treat it asap with a Autumn feed to promote the root growth. Also hollow-tine aerate. Then the rest of the year, lawn treatment to encourage vigorous growth.

 

Am I going down the right path? I don't think the customer will want to re-turf as they have already done that twice in the past as a fix all solution and it hasn't worked.

 

Many thanks, Gary.

[david]

is there any drainage in there?

 

sounds a bit like you'd just be skiping round the under lying problem

 

[tractorboy1]

Would imagine it would require hollow tine coring every year.

[paulb2785]

whats the soil like is there black layer down there could be why the water is not draining veti tining wont cure it if you dont get through that black layer that could be what is couseing the grass to die moss weed to grow also get a hand full of some soil from the top tested deos not cost that much would explane how to do at home with a few things but iv forgoten will check my level three collage stuff if i get time.

[Lee Winger]

whats the soil like is there black layer down there could be why the water is not draining veti tining wont cure it .

 

I agree, time to bring in a ripper tooth

[NI Tree]

dig a small hole about the size of a spade abourt two foot down this will let you know root penatration what soil types compaction and if there is any pans that need braking. and how deep and take it from there

 

also take soil samples i take them every 3 years i think they are about £8

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

pH?

Moisture obv high so 2 annual hollow tinings is good - remove the cores.

mo-bacter for moss and don't scarify!

Scarify late

then apply dj turfcare recovery

in autumn topdress almost pure sand (must be the right sand)

 

underlying reasons damp, shade, thatch, acidity, too much clay...

[gensetsteve]

pH?

Moisture obv high so 2 annual hollow tinings is good - remove the cores.

mo-bacter for moss and don't scarify!

Scarify late

then apply dj turfcare recovery

in autumn topdress almost pure sand (must be the right sand)

 

underlying reasons damp, shade, thatch, acidity, too much clay...

 

I would second the above. Dont scarify in spring you remove all the new side shoots and makes the grass look bare for the summer.

[chris23a]

Hollow tine aeration does very little for drainage. You will need to put a proper drainage system in with drainage pipes at least 60 cm down to have any real effect. A lot of work involved but necessary for very damp lawns.

[headgroundsman]

Too little info to give proper advice. Drainage problems are the most common cause of moss but there are many other reasons too. I would assume that compaction was the problem and see if you can get a fork in to full depth. If you find that you cant get the fork in easily and the lawn is small enough then continue pushing and wriggling the fork to full depth all over the lawn at very close spacing. This is a lot of work but often very worth while. If the fork goes in easily and the ground wet then deeper drainage is likely to be needed