A little introduction of our garden and a lawn question please!

suisidevw

Hi guys,

We moved into our house last year, it's our first home and as you can see below we had a 'blank canvas'. Over the past few months we've done some digging, soil laying (2 tonnes) and made a veg patch on an area of 'wasteland'! Below are some pics of what we have done with shrubs etc and we plan to fill spaces with season bedding plants.....sweet peas growing up rear wall at present, boston ivy planted to cover garage. It's a new hobby for my wife and I and loving coming home from a day at work to weed/water/plant and enjoy!

One thing we have noticed, I know we have had minimal rain recently but our lawn is really patchy compared to next doors and would prefer it to be lush and green! There are some barer patches as well........ What should be done to increase this, worth feeding the lawn or a certain product? Assume not just watering as next door don't water theirs!

Hope you like and all comment/advice welcome

knithryn

I'm wondering who is the most exhausted - you or the dog? But a nice garden plot PLUS a greenhouse - you ought to be filling it up!
On the lawn... dog pee will make patches.
The grass type might be different to your neighbours.
They might have fed theirs, or scarified it (removed moss) etc.

Two choices -
1 Feed what is there, and don't cut it toooo short for a few months to let it get some growth
2. Replace it. - this means getting rid of it and either sowing seed or buying turf.

To be honest, I'd go for feeding it, put some seed on any completely bare patches and just general TLC.
I'd also do a pH test on the soil to see if it is acid - looks like you have azaleas planted which NEED acid soil. All in all you have quite a few nice young flowering shrubs etc which need tending, but perhaps consider some annuals or perennials for the bare soil in between? (Of course, it's your personal choice - I'm a 'fill every gap' sort of gardener).Growing stuff from seed or cuttings will add more plants without a big cost, and you've got the greenhouse to be able to do it.
You could also consider a nice deep compost mulch for the soil later in the year. And a compost bin?

sareybox_2

Our dog, who looks a lot like yours was making yellow and barer patches on our lawn with his wee. My sister-in-law recommended some stones that you put in your dogs water, apparetly it alters the pH balance of their pee with out harming the dog. Sounds mad but seems to work, I've thrown away the packed now but I think the ones we got were called aussie rocks or oz rocks or something similar.
HTH
Sarey

diluvsdiscounts

Apparently you can also add a small amount of tomato sauce to their food and that takes the acid out of their wee.

bottlehalffull

cute dog

Feed it. Mow it. Cut out dandelions if you've got them.

suisidevw

Knithryn, thanks for the help and advice! It was just a nice day and he loves a cuddle! The photo was taken a few weeks ago so it’s actually changed a bit since. Meant to take some photos this morning before work but battery died so photos tomorrow.

Will address the points you raise above and thanks for responding J

No dog pee on actual lawn
Yes, different grass didn’t actually cross my mind, stupid me!
When you say feed what do you mean exactly by this?
Replace is could be an option but an expensive one and it’s not THAT bad really! Will try and give it some TLC as you suggest!

Luckily my wifes father is a doctor of Biotics albeit a fair distance and suggested some of the shrubs/plants we have and Lowri decided on the ‘pretty’ ones!

Agree about flowers in between what’s there. I think I mentioned above or meant to that these will be filled with summer bedding plants etc as and when. They are better stocked now so will put up some better photos when back from work this eve!

Growing a lot from seed and cuttings in the greenhouse (will upload pic later) and on patio at present so that will help and the bits and pieces in the rear bed will grow a lot I think! The hydrangeas flying up!

The area to the right of the veg patch in front of logs is now filled with bark and has a large compost bin. We have 1 water butt and just purchased another through local council for £20 all in inc diverter etc as due to the dry weather we are all out of rainwater so hopefully this will help in future months J

sareybox wrote: »

Our dog, who looks a lot like yours was making yellow and barer patches on our lawn with his wee. My sister-in-law recommended some stones that you put in your dogs water, apparetly it alters the pH balance of their pee with out harming the dog. Sounds mad but seems to work, I've thrown away the packed now but I think the ones we got were called aussie rocks or oz rocks or something similar.

sareybox wrote: »

HTH
Sarey

Luckily Alfie only wees up against the wall and that’s rare (generally in the woods/park etc). Will have a look at that product though, thanks very much Sarey J

diluvsdiscounts wrote: »

Apparently you can also add a small amount of tomato sauce to their food and that takes the acid out of their wee.

Again, thanks for the info!

bottlehalffull wrote: »

cute dog

bottlehalffull wrote: »

Feed it. Mow it. Cut out dandelions if you've got them.

Glad you like the dog and cheers for advice. Wll take on board!