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Large lawn

ValaryValary Posts: 16
in Garden design

Hi

I have a quite a large garden and I have slowly been trying to make it low maintenance. 

One area I am struggling with, is a large lawn, which I would like to take out, or at least reduce in size.  It is a prominent feature of the garden. I am quite nervous as you can imagine, it will have a huge impact.

I am struggling with ideas for what to replace it with.  If anybody can offer some advice or ideas, I would be really grateful.

Valary

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Posts

  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,457

    You could go for the reverse of what Beth Chatto achieved and create a Car Park out of a garden. image

    Sorry, that's a bit of a mean garden joke I think.

    What do you want from your garden (apart from minimal work)? 

    How large is large?  Dimensions would be good.

    Pictures would also be good.

    Trying to help ...  

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,174

    I agree ...  My lawns take less upkeep than the rest of the garden. Get someone in to mow it once a week and scarifying and feed once in the spring should keep it looking presentable. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • cristywiltoncristywilton Posts: 1

    I think you must use artificial grass for the low cost to maintain the garden.

  • ValaryValary Posts: 16

    Would artificial grass look okay on a large lawn, not artificial if you see what I mean? :-)

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,174

    You get what you pay for with artificial grass ... the good stuff that looks ok is incredibly expensive to buy and to have installed.  

    Much cheaper to get someone to mow your lawn for you for the next ten years or more.  


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,423

    Anything other than paving it or letting it become rank grassland would probably be more time consuming. Howabout this - fence off a small area near the house and have paving, paths and planting, and have the rest as grazing for a couple of pet sheep? Sheep become ridiculously tame when kept as pets, so cute! Plus you'll always be able to make a few quid when Eid Al Adha comes around ;)

  • ValaryValary Posts: 16

    image

    My lawn has always looked like a bowling green.  It now resembles a football pitch at the end of the season.  I gave the usual feed and weed in April.  Since then it has slowly deteriorated.  It is no longer flat, it is spongy to walk on and is very bumpy.  Very difficult to mow.

    Could you offer any advice?  It would be very much appreciated.

    Last edited: 05 November 2017 16:01:57

  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,439

    Is this thread a wind up?

    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • ValaryValary Posts: 16

    Why do you think that?

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,029

    How sharp are the mower blades?  The grass looks scalped and ripped more than anything. 

    I don't see how it can go from a bowling green to being lumpy and bumpy in six months though - unless there's been animal intervention of some sort, or it's being used excessively. If it's spongy, that suggests there are issues due to weather/climate, soil and aspect. Moss can be spongy for instance, and that's usually due to shady conditions. 

    It's very difficult to make suggestions without seeing a big area, and having more info.

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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