Poor lawn of an abused garden - Help!

[JustJo]

Hi

I have recently moved in a new house that has been empty for a whil and the previous owners totally aused the garden. It's full o brambles, weeds and the lawn is a mess.

It's really patchy, is full of dandilion type weeds, looks like someon lit a fire on it at some stage, had sand on it ...a real mess.

I have got rid of the litter, rocks and sand and let it green up an grow as much as I can bear and this weekend I mowed it for the firs time.

It's looking a lot better but it really is full of weeds. I started t dig them up but it's making the lawn look even more patchy.

Is "feed and weed" the answer. Is it best to feel the pain - dig al the weeds out and let it repair it's self?

Returfing is out of the question really as we are on a tight budget an the lawn is a big area, but I want it looking half decent (I'm no bothered about perfection) so my young daughter can play out there whe the sun comes back.

Any advice would be great

-- JustJo

[benzette]

two basic suggestions .... you can either reseed or let it fill in by itself. the pathes should fill in by them selves by next year. just keep fertilizing and watering the usual methods.

Or reseed and keep everyone off the reseeded areas for a few months to let the new grass take hold. the seed and seedlings need to stay moist till they take hold as you know.

JustJo wrote:

[JustJo]

If I reseed now will they survive frost if it comes back?

Thanks

JustJo wrote:- Hi

I have recently moved in a new house that has been empty for a while and the previous owners totally aused the garden. It's full of brambles, weeds and the lawn is a mess.

It's really patchy, is full of dandilion type weeds, looks lik someone lit a fire on it at some stage, had sand on it ...a real mess.

I have got rid of the litter, rocks and sand and let it green up and grow as much as I can bear and this weekend I mowed it for the first time.

It's looking a lot better but it really is full of weeds. I starte to dig them up but it's making the lawn look even more patchy.

Is "feed and weed" the answer. Is it best to feel the pain - dig all the weeds out and let it repair it's self?

Returfing is out of the question really as we are on a tight budge and the lawn is a big area, but I want it looking half decent (I'm not bothered about perfection) so my young daughter can play out ther when the sun comes back.

Any advice would be great.

-- JustJo

[Peter H]

I would argue that chances are very good that if you take this advice you will have a weed factory on your hands. If the chemicals don't bother you and you're just looking for a reasonably well kept lawn hit it with weed and feed. Peter H

[benzette]

no probably not. gotta reseed in the warmer temperatures.

JustJo wrote:

[trader4]

And of course it all depends on what is there to work with? If the lawn is full of undesirable grasses and weeds, even if you deal with the weeds, you're left with crap. IMO, in many cases it's easier to start over and do it right. Another approach would be to get through this season using weed/feed, then see what happens. You could re-seed in late summer/early fall, which is optimal.