Lawn sand next stage?

modelreject

I put lawn sand down 2 days ago. Moss has blackened. What is the next stage. I assume I need to rake out blackened moss?

There are some barer patches with just a little grass. Should I resow or put down a nitrogen feed?

Also be raising and improving drainage. Will I fork and sand now? If so I will need to cut grass again. How long after putting lawn sand down can I cut?

Thanks for any tips and advice!

Where can I get good sand to brush into aeration holes?


C

tim_n

I'm intending to put normal sharp sand over my lawn to level it. Worms will do the rest and the grass ought to grow through it if applied thinly over time. If this is bare earth it'll take a bit longer.

walkers-crisps_are_evil

Make sure it's horticultural sharp sand (garden centers). This site is excellent for all lawn care information...
http://www.lawnsmith.co.uk/amateur/lawn-aeration-equipment

tim_n

why? what's the difference between the two? Sharp sand is sharp sand unless it contains too much lime etc, but the stuff I've got bought in bulk is much cheaper and the PH is fine. Horticultural sand is in convenient small bags to load in the back of your land rover I guess! Probably twice the price too!

walkers-crisps_are_evil

Horticultural sand is Lime free. Builders sand will not be and adding lime to lawn preparation = more weeds.
Horticultural sharp sand= good drainage.
Fine sands= bad drainage and will clog the soil up.:)

tim_n

In that case check your PH of the sand you're buying. Mine had a fairly low PH, so all intensive purposes horticultural sharp sand. Guess it comes down to what is available and cheap to buy at the builders merchants!

walkers-crisps_are_evil

Just to answer your question a little more fully Modelreject... Yes rake out dead moss. Applying iron sulphate will kill moss and perk the lawn up (apply in damp conditions now). Barer patches I would fork and rake the surface. Apply horticultural sharp sand and brush into holes. Apply grass seed and firm down. Keep watered. I would avoid cutting the repaired areas until grass is long enough to justify it. The gardening company I work for maintain a 150 acre Georgian estate where they have lawns that need to look very good. I would never ever go to a builders merchants to get sand to do this. It would probably cost me my job there. Have a Google and this will be confirmed on every decent lawn care site. I guess if you cross your fingers or take a ph meter with you... For the sake of a few pounds play safe and buy the proper stuff.

modelreject

Moss has been raked and lawn is looking so much better for it. Still on lookout for horticultural sand here in Northern Ireland. Will be aerating and filling this week. Thanks for all the advice!!!

I have found this stuff but nowhere in Belfast stocks it...http://www.gocompost.co.uk/sharp-sand_p22425381.htm I'll just have to order it up.

walkers-crisps_are_evil

http://www.hillmount.co.uk/
Says it's one of N.Ireland's biggest garden centers so should have it there. It's in Belfast. Good luck