On Nov 15, 7:56 pm, "Larry Gagnon" wrote:
We live in an area where our back garden backs directly onto a natural
forested area, without any fences or obstacles between our garden and the
natural parkland. Part of the garden includes a grassed area measuring
about 6x8 meters. The grassed area has not been well looked after by
previous owners and hence has some weed and poorly growing grass. I have
recently aerated and fertilized and am continuing to rid the grass of
weeds and to reseed the weed holes, so I hope to have it back to a
reasonable patch of grass by next spring/summer. The natural parkland does
have some weeds in it as well.

Its too late now, but the fastest way to reclaim a badly looked after
lawn is a couple of doses of a broadleaf specific weedkiller in
midsummer. Then when most of the weeds are dead rake it over reseed
top dress lightly and let it go.

It is our idea to naturalize this grassy area with spring bulbs which we
have from previous garden changes (including snowdrops, bluebells, crocus,
grape hyacinth). I am aware that the area cannot then be mowed until the
latest bulbs have flowered and 6 weeks after that. Our concern is that

Bulbs have a head start on everything else in spring. If you get it
right most weed seedlings will struggle to see the light once the
bulbs have established. Old established or invasive weeds like ground
elder can be a nuisance though.

with the nearby "weed seed" generator of the natural parkland nearby, that
it might be difficult to maintain a nice naturalized grassy bulb meadow as
we envision due to the influx of weeds (which will be difficult to weed
out when all the bulbs are growing.

The odd strim of really prolific weeds before they set seed might be
worth it. I don't bother except for right up against the edge of my
property. Worth talking to whoever owns the adjoining land to see if
they mind you nuking dandelions and thistles on the perimeter as a DMZ
(I'd leave stands of nettles - I like the butterflies they bring).
Same with architectural woodland weeds like teasel, and woodland
flowers like foxglove - I leave them be.

Anyone out there who has had any experience naturalizing with bulbs a
grassy area where weeds could be a problem please let me know your
experiences and suggestions. Thanks!

Depends how many hefty perennial weed roots are still under the lawn.
New seedlings can be carefully spot weeded out even when the bulbs are
there. And some of the nicer wildflowers are worth leaving in. I don't
bother killing the odd daisy and I deliberately let bellis, violets,
cyclamen and a few other low growing plants naturalise if they want to
(by cutting with the lawnmower set very high). Introducing seeds from
any nice local wildflowers also worthwhile.

Regards,
Martin Brown