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Replies
Andy I hit moss with Iron, return 2-4 weeks later to scariy, and on the same return visit I scatter topdressing on any bare patches and overseed, leaving the lawn time thereafter for the seed to take. It's good to apply a lawn feed at this point too and I always price that into the job.
One thing that helps is doing the final clearance of moss with a roller mower as this can leave a much smoother finish and a firmer surface underfoot which the client appreciates.
Nice one guys.
Yeah, I'm planning to scarify in next few days and was going to put top dressing/seed and organic feed at same time. Just wanted to check there would be no adverse affect on seeds.
Aware of all the moss issues Gaynor but unfortunately I am unable to move the four storey tenament or the three walls surrounding the garden, which is also below ground level!
Done everything else possible, aeration, trees pruned, never mow to short etc etc but there will always be a problem when the garden is in almost perpetual shade.
Andy Lawrence said:
Not necessarily true Gary.
Generally speaking shade tolerant varieties don't do well if regularly mown. Fine under trees etc but struggle if in the main lawn and mowed regularly.
I've got some seed treated with Headstart to try and give it a fighting chance.
Andy
just reading throught your replys, you are using headstart which is used in limagrain seed range , the area you are overseeding sounds very shaded so i would be using MM16 MIX which your mowing is between 10mm and 50mm.
when you are overseeding any turf area you do not apply any feriliser untill the seed starts to come through than apply fertiliser this allows the new seed to take up the feed and you will get better results.
Thatch control and opening up of the sward surface is highly recommended prior to overseeding to ensure the seed is in good contact with the rootzone and allow water and air infiltration, the thatch layer needs to be minimal 15mm or less or at least , very open to allow for successful sowing and establishment .
Thanks for the info Rich.
Took the seed on the advice of ALS, who also recommended putting down a slow-release organic feed at the same time, but I may hold off on the feed if you think it will be beneficial.
Will be scarifying before putting down a lawn seed top dressing.
Put down a shade tolerant seed last year (can't remember which one now) which did start to get established, gave it a feed after a few weeks, mowed at correct height etc and then an autumn feed later but it really struggled and a fair bit just didn't make it.
I'm told this is fairly common with shade tolerant types of seed which often don't like regular mowing.
The other problem is trees, which I have pruned back but when it rains the drops are collecting on the higher leaves into large droplets then dropping from a great height straight on the grass which really doesn't help.
This garden was a jungle two years ago with weeds over waist height and virtually no grass. Have got a reasonable lawn established on about two thirds of it now and want to sort the rest out. It's a communal block and residents are happy with my work as they know how bad it was but I'd like to get it as good as possible out of professional pride.
Cheers for your advice
Andy