Tips before I seed a lawn

vansrje

Hi, first post, very much a novice and looking for tips/opinion on what i need to do with my garden. Have attached a photo
I'm planning to seed a lawn in the spring, garden was very overgrown when i moved in so have weeded and turned the soil end of autumn.
As you can see it has grown a little mossy over the winter with a few hardy weeds remaining/returning but i'm wondering what people think i should do before i sow my lawn, to ensure i have a good thick cover of grass.

Any advice or tips would be much appreciated as i haven't got a clue

Obelixx

 You should find everything you need to know here - 

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=424

Have a read of it all and then ask questions if needed.

JennyJ

It would be a good idea to include a path to the shed in your design. The compacted worn track is already visible in the picture, and grass will probably struggle with frequent wear along the route to the shed.

rachelQrtJHBjb

If moss has grown on the bare earth there could be drainage issues and the site may be shady. @Obelixx has directed you to the RHS page that should help you tackle these issues.

vansrje

Obelixx said:

 You should find everything you need to know here - 

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=424

Have a read of it all and then ask questions if needed.

Thank you this is very useful

vansrje

JennyJ said:

It would be a good idea to include a path to the shed in your design. The compacted worn track is already visible in the picture, and grass will probably struggle with frequent wear along the route to the shed.

Yes I have some old paving slabs out the front which i will be using for that

vansrje

rachelQrtJHBjb said:

If moss has grown on the bare earth there could be drainage issues and the site may be shady. @Obelixx has directed you to the RHS page that should help you tackle these issues.

ah brilliant, it does look like a pond after some heavy rain! i will get the fork out after i turn and level some more

Obelixx

If it has ambitions to be a pond, levelling alone won't fix it.

You need to work on opening up the soil structure which can involve forking it all over and incorporating grit and compost or, once you have it levelled, you need to spike it with your garden fork to make air holes into which your brush sharp sand to keep the structure open.   Have a read of this and pay attention to the info on aeration - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=308 

Fairygirl

I think grass will struggle there and need a lot of work to keep it looking good.
It looks shady, and the fact you have already got moss growing suggests that. The wet conditions also indicate that it wouldn't be great, and it will take a lot of work to get the soil in good condition as the others have said. 
There are seed mixes suitable for shade, but everything else re the drainage needs to be sorted too. 

Rubytoo

Nice new shed, I like it.
Have you checked over the wall and hedges there at your neighbours gardens. If you see reasonably well tended ones with lawns at least you will know it is possible.
If it just because you have been working out there clearing and putting new sheds up it will probably be fine with a little digging and prep.

Dig a little hole and see how well it drains after some rain or fill it with a hose. Several sites say something along the lines of 12 inch square by 24 deep. (30 cm by 60cm in new money). See how long it takes to drain. Draining after a few hours ( again seen on other sites four to six quoted).
But if it mainly drains away then it is not that much of a problem. if it has rained a lot even on as reasonable site it can take time for surplus to go.

Obelixx

It does look very compacted so needs some good fork work.   Plenty of time before April which is the best time to sow a new lawn with an appropriate seed for shade.