Forum home› Problem solving

Please help

phillipsteadphillipstead Posts: 6
in Problem solving

i need to know what steps to take to sort this out and make it a nice lawn. image

Posts

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 36,184

    EEK phillip. Quite a challenge you have there. I would be tempted to use weedkiller on the lot (the kind that becomes harmless when it reaches the soil). Wait for that to take effect and then do it again if needed. Do not be tempted to rush this. If you work hard to clear this area it may be ready to either have turf laid or seeding done in the Autumn whilst the soil is still warm.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,136

    Begin by clearing all rubble and rubbish.  Then pull up the biggest weeds before they set seed - easy after rain when the soil is moist.   You can compost them if you like. For the small stuff you can spray if you're not against chemicals and then leave it to die down.  

    Either way, you will then need to dig or fork over the entire area removing weed roots and shoots, any more bits of rubbish and bits of rubble you missed on the first pass and any large pebbles or stones.  Rake it level and remove any more stones that come up.  Apply a good layer of well rotted garden compost or soil improver and then rake that in.  

    You then have to borrow a roller or do the gardener's shuffle over the whole area using your weight on your heels to compact the surface very slightly before laying turf or sowing seed. 

    There's some helpful info from the RHS on how and when here for seed - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=424 and here for turf - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=410 

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • ERICS MUMERICS MUM Posts: 578

    I always err on the side of flower beds as I find them easier to maintain and get better results than with lawn !  It could take months to get that lawn in order, right into autumn when the weather is more conducive.  I have also created gravelled areas between lawn and flower beds on which I stand pots of  more exotic plants such as oleander and canna so they get the heat defected from the gravel. This reduces the lawn even more.

  • phillipsteadphillipstead Posts: 6

    Thanks everyone. Looks like I have some work ahead of me!!

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,136

    It'll be worth it if you do it well.  Like decorating, it's all in the preparation.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Sign In or Register to comment.