OT (slightly): The lawn is going wrong

[NoSpam]

This is DIY of a sort, so only slightly OT.

A couple of years ago we stripped and levelled one area of lawn and about a year ago did the same to a second one. In all there's probably an additional 20T of top-soil compared to when we started, from two different sources. Both were thoroughly seeded but the grass grew in patches rather than evenly and the overall quality of lawn is pretty awful. The first area also has soft bumps where the grass has grown.

Any lawn experts out there? What's going on and how can I fix it?

Dave

[Tim S]

NoSpam coughed up some electrons that declared:

uk.rec.gardening might be worth a visit...

[NoSpam]

A useful and embarrassingly obvious response (with hindsight).

Dave

[Andrew Gabriel]

If mine did, they'd be moving around...

[mr fuxit]

The soft bumps are because grass roots have developed in the soil. When the grass has spread the bumps will even out.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Your cats only crapped in the humps, and the topsoil you got was crap. Or rather, totally lacking crap. Or any fertiliser..

Growing grass does make humps. But it sounds like you simply either didn't seed enough, or there soil is sterile. Since you can grow grass in pure sand more ore less, it has to be bad if its bare after two years.

Fish blood bone, and more seed.

[Gib Bogle]

When lawns go wrong ... I blame the parents.

[NoSpam]

:-)

[The Medway Handyman]

You should grass them up to social services. Get them turfed out.

I'll get me coat...

[Jules]

They'll probably still stay rooted to the spot, and getting rid of them will be a complete sod.

[meow2222]

our welfare culture really pampas them.

NT

[meow2222]

Even with no grass seed laid down I'd expect a rough lawn after 2 years. Sounds like either your seed was bad or the ground infertile.

Fertility can be addressed by dumping kitchen and garden waste, thinly enough that the grass doesnt lose its sunlight. And always leaving the grass clippings on the lawn. Over a summer this should build up fertility nicely.

If the seed was bad, just keep going, the grass will slowly take over, and regular mowing will kill just about everything else.

NT