Lawn questions, scarifying etc

Manta400r

Hi all

See attached pics for the state of my lawn. Weeds and weed grasses have really infested it this year, and it's doing my head in. By no means do I want a perfectly groomed lawn but I'd like for it all to be green grass.

The lawn is only laid approx 3 years, but haven't done a huge pile with it this year due to work and other commitments other than keep it cut.

My plan is to scarify, overseed and fertilise. What fertiliser would be recommended after scarifying and would it be best to apply when overseeding too?

Some pics of the lawn and the type of weed that's really getting a hold on the place.

secman

Lot's of clover and creeping buttercup , and plenty of thatch too. I've very similar problem and this year already i have:.

1. sprayed the creeping buttercup
2. Scarified the lawn
3. Put down weed and feed

And still have thatch and creeping buttercup. Need to rinse and repeat, had planned on Scarifieing it again and spraying the creeping buttercup with the weed only killer again. Had it this bad before and sorted it. But it's only ever sorted temporarily as we are in the sticks and plenty of clover and creeping buttercup around the area in ditches etc.

Manta400r

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122554937#Comment_122554937

Yeah its an uphill battle really! What did you spray with? Have dicophar here somewhere I'm sure was going to use that as it shouldn't harm the grass

secman

Yep dicophar is what I used, doesn't harm grass. The creeping buttercup is so invasive though, the creeping bits dropping roots can be over a foot long.…Have had a lot visitors, over the summer , in-laws, kids and grandkids too , so hoping over next few weekends to tackle it again…I WILL WIN…ITS PERSONAL now 🤣😂L

Manta400r

Same I was flat out with work and decided to build a patio then too. Will rent a scarifier and go from there. What fertiliser did you use after scarifying?

secman

Use this brand, as it is good value, coverage per bag is 750 sq meters, I need 3 bags. Other brands are usually only 400 sq m.

Manta400r

Yeah I've used that before. Thanks a mill

eeepaulo

Similar position, get the dicophar on now, great stuff I had loads of weeds all gone now, I put it down last month, you need to leave 6-8 weeks between using it and seeding according to the label.

From what I've read it's best to use something like npk 6 9 6 fertiliser after scarifying and overseeding, you get specific new seed stuff but I'm going to use an autumn fertiliser, apparently that's ok too and I can use the rest next year. Wait a couple of weeks after overseeding and the new grass is growing properly, otherwise you are just fertilising what's already there.

That's my plan anyway.

Manta400r

Yeah was reading something like 6 9 6 fertiliser but has that not to be done pre seeding? Alot of the info online is very contradictory

Hasmunch

I could have write this thread, my lawn is 95% clover and creeping butter cup.

I presume now is a good time of year for scarifying, overseed and fertilising. Can be be done anytime or should it be kept to spring/autumn?

Q&A

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122562704#Comment_122562704

Can be done any time if year if you get the conditions (warm and rain/moisture to support growth). This is why spring/autumn are preferred.

Summer is best avoided as a particularly warm spell would dry out the ground/grass/seed. Plus a little bit of thatch can actually help a lawn withstand a harsh summer.

Manta400r

20240906_151929.jpg

All the fresh green is from scarifying yesterday! Absolutely infested. Will do it again after the spring and overseed etc, reluctant to use fertiliser and seed when it's still so bad and with the fuzzy bear knocking around haha

funkey_monkey

What's happening with my lawn here? When I cut it, the cut area is yellow and white - looks like the butt the grass has lost its green colour.

Is it a deficiency or thatch?

mcburns07

I'm no expert but looks like the grass is being left grow too long between cuts and taking too much off then when cutting.

mulbot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122623287#Comment_122623287

Thatch for sure. Also, do you apply alot of fertiliser?

funkey_monkey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122623394#Comment_122623394

Not a lot of fertiliser, but I did have issues with leather jackets eating all the grass and had to do a partial reseed so fertilised the lawn with potato fertiliser.

Do I need to scarify it to resolve this problem

mulbot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122623529#Comment_122623529

I'm not a expert by any means, but I had something like this happen, lawn looked good if I let it grow or overgrow, when I'd cut it, it looked like a farmers field after the silage was cut(usually a sign of heavy fertiliser use), I did scalp it, scarified and core aerated it, with an overseeding then. -took a good 4 months but the lawn came back lovely, and I can mow it now fairly low and it still has the nice green carpet look.

Jim_Hodge

The bigger issue is cutting too much off at once. That grass is far too long to be cut like that.

NIMAN

Ideal mowing is meant to take off the top third maximum.

But most people scalp their grass when cutting it.

Little and often, that's the general rule.

funkey_monkey

The lawn has been cored due to compaction. The weather meant that it's length ran away from me - that is the highest setting on the mower

So so I need to scarify it or is an overseed needed too? It's getting a bit late in year for that, is it not?

ShadowSA

Just mow it regularly. Try not to let it grow so tall. It will look better with regular mowing.