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Old 01-05-2013, 04:20 PM posted to alt.home.lawn.garden
Bob F Bob F is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: May 2007
Posts: 762
Default Has my lawn had its day???

MrMark wrote:
Bob F;982102 Wrote:
MrMark wrote:-
Evening all...

In need of some advice please. This evening I managed to get the
first cut on the lawn this year and to say it looks bad is an
understatement.

Im contemplating stripping it off and re turfing it, but wanted your
opinions first on whether its worth reviving. I have attached a few
pics for your review.

I would really appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks in advance.
-

How many years ago did you last feed or water it? Notice the ring of
fresh grass
around the dead spot from pet waste? That's what the grass would do
if you fed
it properly. Most important time is the fall, but other times help
too.


Thanks all...

Yes that will be the neighbours cats leaving their mess on my lawn
over the winter. I usually rake, weed and feed each year. Which then
results in a fast growing, green, but patchy lawn. Also the right
hand side by the fence is always soggy as its in a shady area.

If I am to revive it, what is the best course of steps to attack it
with. How does this sound?

1, Rake/scarify the entire lawn.
2, Apply a weed and feed (Is Evergreen Complete OK?)
3, Rake/scarify again a few weeks later

I will inevitably end up with loads of bald patches from where the
moss has been raked out. How do I deal with these?



Scrape up the bare batches, then overseed them and rake again to cover the seed
and pat it down lightly. Water frequently lightly to keep the seed from ever
drying out.

I'd probably fertilize it soon while there are still spring rains to get some
growth going. Unless it is really weedy, I wouldn't use weed and feed. Just a
good fertilizer. I use weed-b-gon in a hand sprayer to get the occasional weed
that pops up. Puts lots less poisons into the environment. A quart of the
concentrate lasts me for many years.

Personally, I wouldn't rake it too much. Give the fertilizer and water some time
to get the growth going and see how it does. Next year, use a good fall and
winter fertilizer in October or so, and fertilize again lightly in the earlier
spring if it doesn't seem to be growing and darker green.