Killing lawn to start over?

Smick100

Naf wrote: »

You could probably have got away without killing the stuff to begin with. If its been 7 days then the Rosate should have gotten down to the roots by now, so you could cover all the existing vegetation up with cardboard/newspaper and just dump your topsoil right on that.

Cool. What will the newspaper do?

Although my profile says Belfast, I am actually living in South London and have found a good deal on topsoil at £90 for 2 bags plus £10 for delivery so I am looking to get started ASAP.

Naf

It'll just be a layer over the plants as they rot away, and will mulch up itself and just become part of the soil. As you're just putting soil on top, and then turfs too you'll never see it again.

Greengiant

Having a nightmare with our grass (moved in to a new house approx 11 months ago) and thinking of pulling it up to start a fresh! Is it worth seeding to see if it makes any difference first as I'm not totally sure this was ever done? It's quite wet in the winter so i'm thinking it's maybe ruined before we start!

Leif

One point to note, after I sprayed I found weeds soon growing, including field bindweed. So it is perhaps best to spray in late spring or summer, to ensure the weeds are growing. Some die back in winter, and stay underground till it warms up again. Or spray, leave, and spot spray again.

Greengiant wrote: »

Having a nightmare with our grass (moved in to a new house approx 11 months ago) and thinking of pulling it up to start a fresh! Is it worth seeding to see if it makes any difference first as I'm not totally sure this was ever done? It's quite wet in the winter so i'm thinking it's maybe ruined before we start!

It depends on the weeds, and the soil. If you have couch grass, then it may be best to kill it all. Selective weedkillers should control broadleaf weeds. If the soil is compacted, then it may be best to start again. I'm digging in 1" of sharp sand to help drainage.

cyclonebri1

Greengiant wrote: »

Having a nightmare with our grass (moved in to a new house approx 11 months ago) and thinking of pulling it up to start a fresh! Is it worth seeding to see if it makes any difference first as I'm not totally sure this was ever done? It's quite wet in the winter so i'm thinking it's maybe ruined before we start!

There is no point seeding without preping the ground if grass has already failed.

As simple a plant as grass is, it needs the right conditions to flourish as a lawn. By that I mean it has to grow strong and lush to eliminate all other growth, weeds and moss that is.

It needs drainage, air to the surface and food.
If it's failed it is likely on heavy compacted poor draining soil, with many years thatch and moss forming a blanket over the roots.
If you are going to seed it needs digging or ratavating to ope it up otherwise the new seed will simply germinate then succumb to the poor conditions.
Digging in sharp sand will help with drainage.

An alternative to try to revive a flagging lawn would be to buy a scarifier. I got one a couple of years back of ebay, shop soiled item or cat return, for £35 quid.
It basically an electric lawnmower but has a raking head and an alternative scarifying head to rip out all the debris from the lawn.

They pull out an unbelievable amount of rubbish, and the lawn lucks as if it has been destroyed afterwards, but if you then open up the ground with a fork or pukka lawn venting tool, you can treat/feed the grass and possibly it will improve.

I should say it will improve, I guarantee it, but whether it's enough???

Bottom line is reseeding alone isn't a longterm solution.;);)