New build new lawn

polydactyl

Hi,

Just moved into a new build with 20ft by 10ft lawn that was seeded in late August. It’s now about 2 inches long with a few bare patches but now much.

Have absolutely zero gardening knowledge. Both fathers do but giving different opinion on what we need to do.

One says we need to possibly roll it and cut it soon othersays just leave it or maybe add a bit of fertiliser to it.

Any opinions? Any help appreciated

_Brian

I’d give it an Autumn lawn feed now, that is a non nitrogen feed that strengthens roots for next season without driving top growth over the winter.
Then in the spring when frosts have passed scratch over any bare patches and shake some more seed. Then feed with a regular lawn fertiliser, cut as needed but never too short.

Only roll it if it’s desperate uneven.

polydactyl

Thank you!

Will do that so! Not desperately uneven at all so will forgo the roller

_Brian

Rolling is more likely to cause compaction which is never good.

Shaunoc

have a peek at
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=424
in case you are about to give it its first cut shortly

looksee

Did you see any of the lawn creating being done? Did the builders do it or a landscaping firm?
Wait and see what happens, it might be a good lawn. They always look a bit patchy in the early stages.

If it turns out to be very patchy by next summer you may need to consider that you have a builders lawn. A couple of inches of topsoil over compacted soil where machines have been, builders rubbish, remains of sand dumps etc. The only solution to that is to dig it up and start again, after removing all the blocks, lumps of concrete etc.

Hopefully you will not have this, but its worth remembering before you try and do serious remedial work next summer.

jhenno78

looksee wrote: »

If it turns out to be very patchy by next summer you may need to consider that you have a builders lawn. A couple of inches of topsoil over compacted soil where machines have been, builders rubbish, remains of sand dumps etc. The only solution to that is to dig it up and start again, after removing all the blocks, lumps of concrete etc.

You'd be very lucky to get actual topsoil, mostly they just pick out the bigger bits of rubbish, level it and throw some seed on top.

"builders finish" - the name suggesting that it's to be completed by someone else. Fair enough, but you're stuck with tens of tonnes of soil that would have to be removed before you can do it properly.

Live at Three

I wouldn't feed it at all. Sounds like its doing well so far, only a few patches. New lawns don't need feed, unless you're in a hurry to start mowing.

A roller is sometimes used at the seeding stage to help press the seeds into the soil and to flatten out clumps of clay. Makes no sense to use it on growing rass.

Wait till spring and see how it's looking. As mentioned above if the patches are still there, scratch them with a rake and sprinkle some seed in. Press them in by treading on them.

Lawns will always look thin for the first while. Enjoy it...much easier to mow!