restore old tired lawn/paddock

[Sussex Groundie]

This used to be a paddock for the horses apparently, 100 self seeded samplings removed and put into 6 bonfires. Their Daughter has announced she's getting married next June (2014) and requires a Marquee in the paddock for her reception at home. Looks like the old gardener has his work cut out. Thanks for the ideas above people.

[hedgesparrow]

makes mine look like hampton court. what a job but when done will look good.

still i have got as much wood by old field shelter to clear. as want to use as beer tent. will be busy cutting all that up

[Eddy_t]

Do a ph test as just throwing nitrogen at it will be a waste of time if the ph is way out. Other than that try ferrous sulphate and nitrogen based fert and spray for the weeds( probably easiest if you know a farmer that is already spraying grassland. Then mow as often as you have time and leave it as long as you can live with. Try to never cut more than 1/3 of the length and mulch so the grass clippings feed back.

 

Sulphate is a turf hardener and moss killer, it will raise the pH and make absorption of nitrogen harder for the plants. If you're going to seed with wildflower seed, then I would recommend no feed or sulphate

 

 

Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

[headgroundsman]

if you want wild flowers to grow in your meadow it will mean no mowing until after mid July to allow the wild flowers to seed. Also you should remove the clippings and not mulch as this will improve the fertility which is not good for the wild flowers as it allows the grass to out compete them. The same goes for any added fert