Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: rookie1 on June 03, 2014, 11:14
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Hi all
Last autumn we seeded a new lawn and it took well and looked very green once it got going. We fertilised the ground before seeding and also gave it an autumn feed. However, as the grass is looking very yellow and is obviously in need of a real boost. We gave it some Homebase own brand weed and feed about three or four weeks ago but it hasn't had much effect. Can anyone recommend a really good fertiliser that will boost growth and "green" it up. Not sure whether 'weed and feed' is a good idea, so am happy to do some spot treatment of the weeds if necessary. Any help would be very welcome. The soil is of mixed quality, slightly towards claylike underneath - plus we imported two lots of top soil from different suppliers - so not sure how good it is nutritionally. Think all the rain we had in the autumn/winter has washed any goodness away.
Many thanks
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Lots of rain over winter will have depleted nitrogen levels to some extent, so a spring weed and feed is ideal and just what you did, so it shouldn't be looking yellow. Just to check - it was lawn weed and feed not a general weedkiller you used? I think a slow-release granular or liquid feed is what is used in spring, then a booster one in summer, so I would go for something like "Evergreen" Feed and Weed liquid or Wilko's Lawn Feed and Weed as they both got very good reviews in the Which? gardening section and aren't expensive. I know Homebase is cheap but, when you have spent all that time, effort and money on making a new lawn, don't spoil the ship etc. Also, can you see any difference in the grass re- the different top soil used or does it all look the same?
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Hi GG
Yes, it was a weed and feed we used from HB. There are a couple of areas which look a bit greener than others, but not by much. I've just taken a couple of piccies - see what you think ...
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It doesn't look too bad - not sure why some leaves are dying off, but looks like it needs a medium-height mow - just don't use the clippings on your compost heap as they will contain the remnants of the weedkiller. Give it a week then mow a little bit shorter. Get some liquid lawn feed (without weedkiller in it) from either of the previous sources I mentioned, water it in, then see how it goes. Just had another look at your pics - is your lawnmower blade sharp enough as blunt ones can sometimes tear grass off rather than cut it.
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Thanks GG - will definitely get some feed on it, without the weed bit, and ask 'the boss' whether the blade needs sharpening - good thought. :)
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Don't forget to lime the lawn as well.
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Don't forget to lime the lawn as well.
Hi fatcat1955 - what does the lime do and how do we apply it?
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Lime enables plant's to take up nutrients thus ensuring you get the lush green growth you desire on your lawn. Do a soil test first then google for how much lime to add. It also will bring down the PH which should keep moss away too.
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Lime enables plant's to take up nutrients thus ensuring you get the lush green growth you desire on your lawn. Do a soil test first then google for how much lime to add. It also will bring down the PH which should keep moss away too.
Sorry to disagree, fatcat, but lime raises the pH of the soil, not decreases it because it is alkaline in nature.
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So it does, but it is still good for your lawn.