All,

I am having terrible problems keeping my lawn green and lush in certain places. It was laid last spring/summer by the previous tentants and has been fine upto the last couple of months or so.

As you can see from the pictures that the problem is mainly in the front left portion of the garden.

This has part of garden has plenty things NOT going for it.

1) this is where i walk to get to the shed and to water the border every other day
2) this part of the garden in virtual full sun throughout the day
3) I believe the roots for the large Silver Birch tree are right under there
4) i've only created the border this spring and so this part of the garden has really took some hammer under foot.

If you look at the pictures though you can see the rest of the lawn is not in too bad shape and quite green, just this problem quarter. I have been cutting the grass once a week with the blade set quite high.

About 4/6 weeks ago i used some Evergreen Complete on the lawn and watered as directed etc. The rest of the lawn seems to have improved a little from the feed, but not the "dreaded quarter".

I've been trying to water the bad patch a little too thinking it might be drying out.

Is it

1) Getting damaged under foot?
2) Sun drying it out?
3) Birch roots drying it out?
4) Infected in some way?

Is there some other feed or techniques that anyone can recommend for this area of lawn or has anyone got any suggestions?

Any thoughts or help would be very very much appreciated

Many Thanks

Mick
Sheffield, England

Zarch said:

As you can see from the pictures that the problem is mainly in the
front left portion of the garden.

This has part of garden has plenty things NOT going for it.

1) this is where i walk to get to the shed and to water the border
every other day
2) this part of the garden in virtual full sun throughout the day
3) I believe the roots for the large Silver Birch tree are right under
there
4) i've only created the border this spring and so this part of the
garden has really took some hammer under foot.

I think between #1 and #4 (with a bit of #2 thrown in) you have an
explanation. The soil is compacted and the lawn stresses out in the sun.
(#3 isn't helping the lawn at all, either.)

The solution might be to core aerate the trampled parts and then spread
a top dressing of compost over it. Watch for water stress and maybe
give it some supplemental watering.

--
Pat K. ('someplace.net' is comcast)

Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)

Many thanks for the that Pat. I'm glad to hear its nothing that some care and attention can't sort out.

Could you explain to me what you mean by "Core Aerate" please? Should i just get out there with a fork? or would some sort of rotary aerator be better?

http://www.ferndale-lodge.co.uk/inde...id=6~mainframe

Would the "Rotary Lawn Aerator" or the "Hollow Time Aerator" from the abive link be your recommendation?

Thanks again

Mick

Zarch wrote:
All,

I am having terrible problems keeping my lawn green and lush in certain
places.
1) Getting damaged under foot?
2) Sun drying it out?
3) Birch roots drying it out?

Yes.

"Zarch" wrote in message
...

Pat Kiewicz Wrote:
Zarch said:-

As you can see from the pictures that the problem is mainly in the
front left portion of the garden.

This has part of garden has plenty things NOT going for it.

1) this is where i walk to get to the shed and to water the border
every other day
2) this part of the garden in virtual full sun throughout the day
3) I believe the roots for the large Silver Birch tree are right under
there
4) i've only created the border this spring and so this part of the
garden has really took some hammer under foot.-

I think between #1 and #4 (with a bit of #2 thrown in) you have an
explanation. The soil is compacted and the lawn stresses out in the
sun.
(#3 isn't helping the lawn at all, either.)

The solution might be to core aerate the trampled parts and then
spread
a top dressing of compost over it. Watch for water stress and maybe
give it some supplemental watering.

--
Pat K. ('someplace.net' is comcast)

Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)


Many thanks for the that Pat. I'm glad to hear its nothing that some
care and attention can't sort out.

Could you explain to me what you mean by "Core Aerate" please? Should
i just get out there with a fork? or would some sort of rotary aerator
be better?

http://tinyurl.com/dzfn7

Would the "Rotary Lawn Aerator" or the "Hollow Time Aerator" from the
abive link be your recommendation?

Thanks again

Mick


--
Zarch

The hollow time might be, but looks like a lot of work. Core aerators have
hollow tines that push into the soil and remove a plug as they go whereas
the spike type generally force a solid spike into the ground to create a
hole and removes no soil. Many believe (myself included) that spike type
aerators, while they do make holes, worsen the compaction of the soil in the
long run because they make the hole by compacting the soil surrounding the
spike entry point outward from the hole.

Best bet, if you have or can locate a truck would be to go to your local
lawn equipment rental and rent a gas powered core aerator for a few hours.
Or, if you have a garden tractor, you might locate and purchase a tow behind
plug aerator. There are those who would definitely advise against the tow
behind but my experience has been that, if maintained properly, they work
very well on a typical lawn. Either way, your lawn would love you for it if
used yearly at fall, perhaps followed by a nice overseeding.

In a pinch aeration can be done even now and your lawn will benefit from it
but reseeding in the heat of summer is always an iffy proposition but not
necessarily impossible.

Zarch said:


Pat Kiewicz Wrote:

The solution might be to core aerate the trampled parts and then
spread
a top dressing of compost over it. Watch for water stress and maybe
give it some supplemental watering.


Many thanks for the that Pat. I'm glad to hear its nothing that some
care and attention can't sort out.

Could you explain to me what you mean by "Core Aerate" please? Should
i just get out there with a fork? or would some sort of rotary aerator
be better?

In 'core aeration' the tines are hollow and pull out a plug of turf, leaving
an open hole behind.

http://tinyurl.com/dzfn7

Would the "Rotary Lawn Aerator" or the "Hollow Time Aerator" from the
abive link be your recommendation?

The 'hollow tine aerator' would be more the thing, though here in
Michigan, powered core aerators are available from rental places, or
lawn service companies can be hired to do it. (I find it irritating that
they generally offer this service in the spring, when I would prefer
to have it done in the fall.)

--
Pat in Plymouth MI ('someplace.net' is comcast)

Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)

(Pat Kiewicz) wrote:
(I find it irritating that
they generally offer this service in the spring, when I would prefer
to have it done in the fall.)

We do it till the snow flies here in Ohio. I like a fall aeration better,
the plugs start breaking down over the winter, when you don't have to mow
over them.

Great stuff, thanks for everyones help so far. I've decided to get both the hollow tine and a small spike aerator. (managed to find the pair for the same price i thought i'd have to spend on just one of them!) :-)

How far apart (distance) do you recommend using the hollow tine tool? every ft maybe? Are the plug gaps big enough to put anything down to help drainage etc? sand maybe? Will this be of any help or a hinderance?

How regular could/should you aereate? especially the problem area? Ideally i would like to do it straight it away to help with the immediate problem. Could i then give it another go at the backend of the year as Steveo suggests?

Cheers, Mick

Zarch said:


Steveo Wrote:
(Pat Kiewicz) wrote:-
(I find it irritating that
they generally offer this service in the spring, when I would prefer
to have it done in the fall.)
-
We do it till the snow flies here in Ohio. I like a fall aeration
better,

How far apart (distance) do you recommend using the hollow tine tool?
every ft maybe? Are the plug gaps big enough to put anything down to
help drainage etc? sand maybe? Will this be of any help or a
hinderance?

How far apart are the tines on the tool? Suggest you plan to repeat
in a grid fashion over the compacted area based on that dimension.
Normally nothing is put down after core aerating for private lawns.
In your case, assuming you do go over the compacted areas right now,
I'd suggest adding some compost (or a mix of compost and sand, if
your soil is heavy clay).

How regular could/should you aereate? especially the problem area?
Ideally i would like to do it straight it away to help with the
immediate problem. Could i then give it another go at the backend of
the year as Steveo suggests?

I'd do it now in the problem area and have the whole lawn done in the
fall (best if you can hire power core aeration done rather than go over
it all by hand).
--
Pat K. ('someplace.net' is comcast)

Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)

All,

Its 2 months since i asked the original questions about my problem lawn and i aerated as suggested, but to little effect at the time as i was still constantly using the lawn.

But now the rainy season(?) has hit the UK i think its time for the "fall" maintenance to begin. I've got a day this week planned to do it and just want to run my "to do list" past you guys.

* Over the weekend i plan to completley aerate the lawn with the hollow tine and fill the holes with sharp sand.
* Use an electric scarifier to give the grass a good going over and get out any dead grass/thatch etc
* Give the lawn a modest mow to pick up as much of the remaining dead stuff the scarifier left behind.
* Rake the lawn to disturb the soil (depending on how much the scarifier has done)
* Spike aerate the lawn with the roller aerater
* Spread new grass seed
* Use a broom to make sure the grass gets into the soil
* Apply a "top mix" at around quarter inch
* Brush in top mix
* Water regular for a couple of weeks if required to allow seed to take.

How does that sound?

I also would like some suggestions on 1) Autumn(Fall) Feeding? and 2) The top mix

1) At what stage would you recommend i apply the Autumn feed? before? after? somewhere in the middle? Weeks after? Also, what should i be looking for in terms of content?

2) Top Mix. I was going to make my own using compost, sharp sand and some riddled soil i've saved through the summer. If this is ok, then great, if not, what should i be looking for?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Cheers

Mick
Sheffield, England.

Well i've aerated the entire lawn with a combination of tine aerator, fork and roller aerater. Also pulled out some dead looking grass with conventional rake.

Time to use the scarifier next, any tips??

I've got the sharp sand and peat to put down along with the grass seed. http://www.suttons-seeds.co.uk/index...idla wn2.html

Looking for any help before i start the scarifiying over the weekend. ie do i put the peat/sand down seperate or mix in the grass seed with it?

Cheers, Mick

Zarch wrote:
Zarch Wrote:
All,

Its 2 months since i asked the original questions about my problem lawn
and i aerated as suggested, but to little effect at the time as i was
still constantly using the lawn.

But now the rainy season(?) has hit the UK i think its time for the
"fall" maintenance to begin. I've got a day this week planned to do it
and just want to run my "to do list" past you guys.

* Over the weekend i plan to completley aerate the lawn with the hollow
tine and fill the holes with sharp sand.
* Use an electric scarifier to give the grass a good going over and get
out any dead grass/thatch etc
* Give the lawn a modest mow to pick up as much of the remaining dead
stuff the scarifier left behind.
* Rake the lawn to disturb the soil (depending on how much the
scarifier has done)
* Spike aerate the lawn with the roller aerater
* Spread new grass seed
* Use a broom to make sure the grass gets into the soil
* Apply a "top mix" at around quarter inch
* Brush in top mix
* Water regular for a couple of weeks if required to allow seed to
take.

How does that sound?

I also would like some suggestions on 1) Autumn(Fall) Feeding? and 2)
The top mix

1) At what stage would you recommend i apply the Autumn feed? before?
after? somewhere in the middle? Weeks after? Also, what should i be
looking for in terms of content?

2) Top Mix. I was going to make my own using compost, sharp sand and
some riddled soil i've saved through the summer. If this is ok, then
great, if not, what should i be looking for?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Cheers

Mick
Sheffield, England.

Well i've aerated the entire lawn with a combination of tine aerator,
fork and roller aerater. Also pulled out some dead looking grass with
conventional rake.

Time to use the scarifier next, any tips??

I've got the sharp sand and peat to put down along with the grass seed.
http://tinyurl.com/7ahhj

From label:

Rye grass is added to lawn seed mixtures to give hard wearing properties.
However due to its broad leaved growth habit it is not ideal for ornamental
lawns. New developments in breeding have led to the production of 'fine
leaved' rye-grass varieties, one of which has been incorporated into Rapid
Green making it the ideal choice for both front and back lawns.

In addition to the fine leaved rye-grass, 'Highland Bent' and Fescue
varieties are added to give a spreading growth habit and fill in those
troublesome areas faster.

Oh boy! who da thunk of that combo? That's cutting edge right there!