Lawn rescue

devkrishanbhattm5B3XgK0

Hi all.

I'm an amateur gardener after a bit of help repairing my lawn.

The lawn was freshly turfed in June 2018. I did everything as advised, allow it to settle and mow at least 6 weeks from when it was laid. I waited 2 months (it was a busy summer!) And gave it it's first cut. I was fairly regular, at least once a week keeping weeds at bay but after the 3rd or 4th cut, I used the lowest setting on my mower and practically scalped the lawn.

It somehow recovered but I didn't learn from this mistake and still cut quite low. Over the years, this is the result.

I'm aiming to have a thick, healthy lawn. How can I achieve this? Overseeding? Also is now a good time to do it or should I wait until the autumn.

Thanks in advance.

Fairygirl

I think you know the answer 
You can certainly re seed, but it won't be quick if you want to use it in a couple of months time. It'll take a little while to be tall enough, and well enough rooted in. 
The most important thing is - don't scalp it. Little and often is the answer, and if you get long dry spells where there's little or no growth, that will help it withstand that. Far better than watering it, which is a waste of resources.
Never take off more than about a third of the height, and in drier spells don't cut it at all. Wait until you have enough moisture for it to put on some growth

devkrishanbhattm5B3XgK0

Fairygirl said:

I think you know the answer 
You can certainly re seed, but it won't be quick if you want to use it in a couple of months time. It'll take a little while to be tall enough, and well enough rooted in. 
The most important thing is - don't scalp it. Little and often is the answer, and if you get long dry spells where there's little or no growth, that will help it withstand that. Far better than watering it, which is a waste of resources.
Never take off more than about a third of the height, and in drier spells don't cut it at all. Wait until you have enough moisture for it to put on some growth

Thank you. I agree waiting until the autumn is best. I have a little girl who's just started walking and discovered her love for playing in the garden so was hoping I could revive it in time for when it warms up but it's not to be. Will add lawn thickener and feed for now.

Astro

I'd give the existing lawn a good rake and overseed it now. It will be worth it and within a couple of months you'll see improvement.  As highlighted mowing too low is detrimental, most of the really short lawns use different seed to the usual hard-wearing ryegrass based seed. 

Dovefromabove

A careful spring feed/thickener and mowing as advised will improve it a lot and your little girl will be able to enjoy it. 

Follow the instructions and quantities on the pack exactly … I mark the lawn out into square metres with string and canes… do not overdose or you’ll just have a mud patch.