We've had two large conifers removed from an area of lawn, and are
wondering what to do with it.

The lawn hasn't done too well in recent years - the conifers have sucked the
life out of the area so that only moss thrives. The moss has been killed
off with mosskiller, so we mostly have a black 'lawn'. It's about 50m^2.
The stumps have been ground, but there are no doubt surface roots still
there. It faces south.

Had a quote in the region of GBP1000-1300 (depending on options) to take
4-6" of soil off, lay mushroom compost, then turf on top. This involves
digger hire etc, and seems expensive.

Was wondering if there's any better suggestions for reviving some unhappy
lawn? Would rotavating it with fertiliser and sowing seed be feasible? How
long would that take to take hold? It doesn't need to be instant, but we
don't want it to look like a muddy field in the spring.

Is it too late to do anything this year? Any other suggestions?

Toby

On 16/11/2014 20:30, Toby Jones wrote:
We've had two large conifers removed from an area of lawn, and are
wondering what to do with it.

The lawn hasn't done too well in recent years - the conifers have sucked the
life out of the area so that only moss thrives. The moss has been killed
off with mosskiller, so we mostly have a black 'lawn'. It's about 50m^2.
The stumps have been ground, but there are no doubt surface roots still
there. It faces south.

Had a quote in the region of GBP1000-1300 (depending on options) to take
4-6" of soil off, lay mushroom compost, then turf on top. This involves
digger hire etc, and seems expensive.

Was wondering if there's any better suggestions for reviving some unhappy
lawn? Would rotavating it with fertiliser and sowing seed be feasible? How
long would that take to take hold? It doesn't need to be instant, but we
don't want it to look like a muddy field in the spring.

Is it too late to do anything this year? Any other suggestions?

Toby

My lawn, of about the same size was very tatty. Then I had a large tree
removed from near the lawn, the stump grinders equipment left two long
gouges/depressions in the lawn. I considered having it "refurbished" at
a cost of almost £2,000, my exchequer (wife) vetoed that. So I searched
the net and found: The Lawnsmith at Lawnsmith.co.uk. I read and took his
advice, purchased equipment and fertilisers etc... worked hard over last
Summer and Autumn, my lawn now looks great, no moss and few weeds. The
cost a little over £100, I am well pleased. Of course being retired
meant I had the time.

In article ,
Broadback wrote:

My lawn, of about the same size was very tatty. Then I had a large tree
removed from near the lawn, the stump grinders equipment left two long
gouges/depressions in the lawn. I considered having it "refurbished" at
a cost of almost £2,000, my exchequer (wife) vetoed that. So I searched
the net and found: The Lawnsmith at Lawnsmith.co.uk. I read and took his
advice, purchased equipment and fertilisers etc... worked hard over last
Summer and Autumn, my lawn now looks great, no moss and few weeds. The
cost a little over £100, I am well pleased. Of course being retired
meant I had the time.

I can second that. Mine was half moss, and was being taken over
by unsuitable weeds. Lots of ferrous sulphate and fertiliser,
one go of (yuck) Verdone, and it is quite reasonable. Of course,
the moss is returning now that we are into the soggy season,
but it was the dominance that was the problem.

Buy 1 Kg tubs of ferrous sulphate online, or 5 Kg if you have a
large lawn.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

On 17/11/2014 09:16, Nick Maclaren wrote:
In article ,
Broadback wrote:

My lawn, of about the same size was very tatty. Then I had a large tree
removed from near the lawn, the stump grinders equipment left two long
gouges/depressions in the lawn. I considered having it "refurbished" at
a cost of almost £2,000, my exchequer (wife) vetoed that. So I searched
the net and found: The Lawnsmith at Lawnsmith.co.uk. I read and took his
advice, purchased equipment and fertilisers etc... worked hard over last
Summer and Autumn, my lawn now looks great, no moss and few weeds. The
cost a little over £100, I am well pleased. Of course being retired
meant I had the time.

I can second that. Mine was half moss, and was being taken over
by unsuitable weeds. Lots of ferrous sulphate and fertiliser,
one go of (yuck) Verdone, and it is quite reasonable. Of course,

Spot weeding on lawns with Verdone is OK but I wouldn't be keen on
applying it to the entire lawn. I quite like some of the wildflowers.
(I draw the line at dandelions and buttercups though - too invasive)

the moss is returning now that we are into the soggy season,
but it was the dominance that was the problem.

Buy 1 Kg tubs of ferrous sulphate online, or 5 Kg if you have a
large lawn.

End of season spring weed and feed is generally very cheap at this time
of year to make room for dracula/santas grotto (repurposed after 31/10).

Maybe a bit late to catch a bargain now but it keeps OK in a dry
location. Cutting the ferrous sulphate with ammonium sulphate and sand
so you dilute it will give the grass a head start and slightly help
drainage. A good hollow tined fork will improve drainage (although they
tend to bend or jam up on my pebble ridden boulder clay subsoil).

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

In article ,
Martin Brown wrote:

I can second that. Mine was half moss, and was being taken over
by unsuitable weeds. Lots of ferrous sulphate and fertiliser,
one go of (yuck) Verdone, and it is quite reasonable. Of course,

Spot weeding on lawns with Verdone is OK but I wouldn't be keen on
applying it to the entire lawn. I quite like some of the wildflowers.
(I draw the line at dandelions and buttercups though - too invasive)

I did most of it, because I normally compost everything, and didn't
want to have to select out the cuttings to compost!

the moss is returning now that we are into the soggy season,
but it was the dominance that was the problem.

Buy 1 Kg tubs of ferrous sulphate online, or 5 Kg if you have a
large lawn.

End of season spring weed and feed is generally very cheap at this time
of year to make room for dracula/santas grotto (repurposed after 31/10).

Maybe a bit late to catch a bargain now but it keeps OK in a dry
location. Cutting the ferrous sulphate with ammonium sulphate and sand
so you dilute it will give the grass a head start and slightly help
drainage. A good hollow tined fork will improve drainage (although they
tend to bend or jam up on my pebble ridden boulder clay subsoil).

The lawnsmith recommends watering ferrous sulphate in, so I mixed
it with commodity lawn fertiliser (the one WITHOUT weedkiller),
and did both at the same time.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

In message , Toby Jones
writes
We've had two large conifers removed from an area of lawn, and are
wondering what to do with it.

The lawn hasn't done too well in recent years - the conifers have sucked the
life out of the area so that only moss thrives. The moss has been killed
off with mosskiller, so we mostly have a black 'lawn'. It's about 50m^2.
The stumps have been ground, but there are no doubt surface roots still
there. It faces south.

Had a quote in the region of GBP1000-1300 (depending on options) to take
4-6" of soil off, lay mushroom compost, then turf on top. This involves
digger hire etc, and seems expensive.

Was wondering if there's any better suggestions for reviving some unhappy
lawn? Would rotavating it with fertiliser and sowing seed be feasible? How
long would that take to take hold? It doesn't need to be instant, but we
don't want it to look like a muddy field in the spring.

Is it too late to do anything this year? Any other suggestions?


I would try to avoid rotavating it. It will then be quite a bit of work
to get it levelled and firm again.

Feeding etc. has already been mentioned. I'd be tempted to sow some seed
on the more sparse areas. It's rather late really, but if we have
another mild winter who knows, it might germinate. If not you can always
do it again (or as well) in the spring

Probably worth scarifying with a lawn rake first.
--
Chris French

Chris French wrote:
I would try to avoid rotavating it. It will then be quite a bit of work
to get it levelled and firm again.

Feeding etc. has already been mentioned. I'd be tempted to sow some seed
on the more sparse areas. It's rather late really, but if we have
another mild winter who knows, it might germinate. If not you can always
do it again (or as well) in the spring

Probably worth scarifying with a lawn rake first.

Thanks everyone. It sounds like the timing is wrong to do anything to do
anything this side of spring, so there's not much that can be done until
then (given it might mean having to do it all again if the winter is harsh)
so sounds like we want to pause for the moment...

Toby

On 20/11/2014 11:28, Toby Jones wrote:
Chris French wrote:
I would try to avoid rotavating it. It will then be quite a bit of work
to get it levelled and firm again.

Feeding etc. has already been mentioned. I'd be tempted to sow some seed
on the more sparse areas. It's rather late really, but if we have
another mild winter who knows, it might germinate. If not you can always
do it again (or as well) in the spring

Probably worth scarifying with a lawn rake first.

Thanks everyone. It sounds like the timing is wrong to do anything to do
anything this side of spring, so there's not much that can be done until
then (given it might mean having to do it all again if the winter is harsh)
so sounds like we want to pause for the moment...

Toby

As I said look as the Lawnsmith's site, he is closed down for a couple
of months from December, but of course his site remains open.