How do I get even and pretty lawn?

Question

I just moved to a new house and we have a long garden with lawn which hasn't been taken care of for years. It has been cut but there is moss and big bits of weed etc here and there. It's also quite uneven, I think the previous owner had a dog that used to dig up everything.

I am very green to gardening, only thing I have done is grow my own tomatoes and chillies on my balcony but I would really like to make this garden my new hobby now.

So, starting with the lawn... do I have to dig up the whole lawn or is there some tricks to how I can get it even? Is there enough time to have a nice lawn for the summer?

Thanks for all the advice!

Answer 1

There are tricks or 'methods' that can be of use on the lawn but I believe if there was a dog and bad care in the past:- Dig up the lawn, doing half of the lawn at a time, cut off the top layer of turf upturn it in a safe place along the borders and let it rot down. dig up the ground by removing a first line of a trench and placing it aside .

Now dig the second trench and turn in over into the first trench proceed filling the trench holes until you reach your goal of your final trench , fill this with the soil from the first trench and keep things as even as possible as you proceed fork out any weed or couch grass.

By now your turf sods will have died and what you need to do is fork out the tangle of dead grass and sift the soil into a barrow for later spreading over the pre dug ground, thus you will replace the goodness needed for you lawn.

Next you will need to sow some grass seed on this levelled area choose a seed that is suitable for the traffic it will endure.

Once the half lawn is established repeat the process on the second half.

Answer 2

The trick with producing and maintaining a good lawn is to work on it over the years and not to expect instant results. What I would do is identify the worst high spots and low spots directly after cutting the grass and work on these first, do it now in early Spring. Cut the turf on the affected high area(s) and carefully peel this back in short runs so that it can be rolled back later, dig out and level the mound when you have it level with the surrounding area - taking into account the thickness for the turf - relay the turf over and water it in well. Do the same with dips by filling them to the level using a sand and loam mix. Leave the turf to set for a month or so and then treat the lawn with a general weed and feed mix and repeat this as directed by the manufacturer - something like Evergreen Complete works quite well or Verdone weed killer if you have lots of dandelions. Another tip is to leave the grass about 2" long so that the remaining shallow humps and bumps cannot be seen. Good luck

Answer 3

Begin by making the lawn level.Use a plank and a spirit level and fill the hollows,rather than trying to flatten the humps.

Mix a third by volume of seed compost,fine sand and grass seed.Select seed suited to the type of

lawn needed i.e fine turf,hard wearing,partially shaded etc.

Fill the hollows with this mixture,rake lightly and insert twigs with thread criss crossing to deter birds.

Let the patches grow through the spring.In June/July use a spring tine rake to remove the moss then mow the lawn with the mower set high.

Apply weed and feed in mid September after a final mow.

This method will ensure a good lawn next Spring,which will be usable by late Summer 2013.

Answer 4

Cut it short, rake off the debris, wait 3 days, spread feed,weed&mosskiller, mow regularly, buy a hollow tine fork, remove cores, spread top dressing in autumn: sieved sand and peat 50,50.. Scarify in spring n remove thatch and moss, hollow core, top dress...use higher ratio of sand in your top dressing if you have heavy soil, use more peat/loam if you have sandy soil..spread top dressing with yard brush or drag mat..that's all there is to it.. And mow the lawn in a different direction every time to prevent washboarding .

If the soil is very uneven you may want to spray it off with roundup and power-harrow the soil and start from scratch..thats a whole different question

Answer 5

In recent news [within the last year] a person won the best kept lawn award - his diligence and attention to detail is almost sickening - but there's plenty the novice can learn and implement without making it a full time job.

Answer 6

Use an herbicide specfically for clover to kill the clover. i do no longer understand wher you stay so won't be able to advise a grass. Your neighborhood backyard and garedn shop may desire to appreciate. additionally, your neighborhood County or State Extension provider may desire to appreciate. I stay interior the interior Alaska and characteristic very stable fulfillment with Kentucky blue grass. Survives the intense winters and 80 diploma summers.

Answer 7

bring in some top soil to eving the yard in low areas, treat the yard with lime which you can purchase from home depot, place irigation if its not already there and seed are lay sod of the type you prefer which ever you prefer. if your looking for plants visit www.onestopplants.com