Lawns?

[grannyjanny]

My friend's lawn (if you can call it that) is just a mass of moss & dandelions with the odd blade of grass. It's worse this year & her dad thinks it's the bad winter that has done it. Could it be that the moss has just taken over. I believe drainage is usually the problem with moss & as she considering having the lawn re done I would hate her to waste her money. The front of the house where the lawn is is west facing, there are no trees. OH has just said the shade of the house will be on the lawn until 11.30ish at this time of year.

[grannyjanny]

[landimad]

Without a photo of the area it is hard to say. But, in my opinion there are many problems with the lawn.
1. As you say the drainage is a factor.
2. Light is not there to help good growth.
3. Weeds are the theme of this lawn, of which a few does not harm the overall effect of the lawn.
4. Sand, I always sand dress the lawn for full effect and aid the drainage. It also kerbs the moss spread.
Dig a small test area that will be exposed to the rain, if it does not drain after the shower then drainage is required. If it does, then light will be the main factor.
Trial and testing over a period of time will show whether any of these show up more than the other.
If it was me, I would start a fresh with good soil preparation, plenty of sand in clay soils.
Depth would be at least a spit deep, and allow the soil to settle before turfing.
Tread the ground well to consolidate, rack over then level with a home made lute.
Once this is done, leave again for it to settle, and then turf with an appropriate grade of turf which will give the best results for the garden aspect they have.
Finally, keep it well watered and enjoy. 

[goodlife]

Well we have had 3 wet summers that will help moss growth..but generally where grass will struggle to grow..moss will take over...
Lots of people make mistake by spreading moss killer on lawns every year..yes it will kill, but if the dead moss is not removed following year is going to be twice as bad...as the old moss will be perfect propagation medium for new moss to grow..moist, dark and problem for grass to compete...it doesn't have be drainage as such..just old moss or just too much thatch (dead grass on soil surface) will do...
Often just scarifying and and feed will get old lawn going....and any thin batches can be forked over and over seeded..there is shady lawn mixes for those problem places.. ;D

[GrannieAnnie]

Most mosses where we are like acidic soil. If that's the case where you are then changing the pH with soe lime might help eradicate it.

[kt.]

Early spring, I apply a lawnfeed with moss & weed killer mixed in.  Seems to be ok so far.

[simon404]

Moss is also often caused by mowing too short too. Personally I can't get exited about lawns and I hate using products like feed and weed which have appalling effects on wildlife; my advice to people is to have it looked at by a professional firm like Green Thumb, they'll do a free report for you.

[GrannieAnnie]

Moss is also often caused by mowing too short too. Personally I can't get exited about lawns and I hate using products like feed and weed which have appalling effects on wildlife; my advice to people is to have it looked at by a professional firm like Green Thumb, they'll do a free report for you.

I agree with Simon. Lawns seem to be a waste for many reasons but my husband considers them his "crop". My solution is to slowly keep adding and enlarging flower and vegetable beds while maintaining some grass paths. ;D

[Mme Muck]

Moss is also often caused by mowing too short too. Personally I can't get exited about lawns and I hate using products like feed and weed which have appalling effects on wildlife; my advice to people is to have it looked at by a professional firm like Green Thumb, they'll do a free report for you.

I agree with Simon. Lawns seem to be a waste for many reasons but my husband considers them his "crop". My solution is to slowly keep adding and enlarging flower and vegetable beds while maintaining some grass paths. ;D

I've concluded that lawns are a 'man thing'.  I just have to bite my tongue and concentrate on my borders too!

[Tulipa]

My solution is to slowly keep adding and enlarging flower and vegetable beds while maintaining some grass paths. ;D

That's my idea too GrannieAnnie, I'm working on it! ;)

[Duke Ellington]

My back garden is small and I want to get rid of all my lawn! I am not sure how when and what I am going to do but I want to get rid of it.

Duke