Lawn Problems

I know its very early in the year but I'm having problems with the lawn. Basically there is a big round bare patch in the back lawn, from my dog and the neighbour's one playing. I noticed it before xmas, and then with the bad frost and snow it made it worse. I'll attach a few images so ye can see. Should i spread some sand and seed mixed together, or is it too early to do that? Any help appreciated.

Ok next pic.

Bit too early. Leave it a few weeks until soil temp increases. Cordon off area from dogs. Dog urine will burn grass. You might need to "fork/prong" the damaged area if soil is compacted. You might also need to plant a stronger grass. It's not clear from photo what type you are using, but you might need a grade 3 type which is more resistant to wear & tear.

I couldn't tell you what type of grass it was. But I have some of the seed left over. It is a relatively new lawn...2 years this summer. If i got some of that grade 3 seed, would it blend in with the other stuff?

slookie said:

I couldn't tell you what type of grass it was. But I have some of the seed left over. It is a relatively new lawn...2 years this summer. If i got some of that grade 3 seed, would it blend in with the other stuff?

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Hmmm. Hard to say. Grade 1 is the finest. Used on Golfing greens, it's unlikely to be that. Grades higher, are progressively stronger. With Dogs & just general maintainance, you will need to replace & patch-up constantly. You could try & mix a grade 3 into the seed you have left over, and that will minimise the variance. But if the seed you have is 2 yrs old, it might not grow at all. Alternatively try a grade 2.Variance should be less & see how that matches.

Ok so, when should i do all this? Should i leave it for another while, or start pronging it with a fork now? My neighbour spread a load of sand on his lawns last week...said he does it every year to improve them. Should I do this too?

Best time to sow is around April & onward to Sept. But you will probably get growth if soil temp is ok from FEB or March. I'd leave it til March if u can hold off.

Sand spreading is good yearly- use only garden sand. First rake out moss, (particularly in shaded areas if you have any), and only spread a thin layer of sand which can be lightly raked in. You can also prong soil lightly 1st before spreading sand, and brush it in. More time consuming & difficult, but worth the effort. Grass grows roughly in the 1st 5-10 cm of soil. this needs to be free from compaction, but not too loose. Cover seed lightly with sand to avoid bird damage.

I used a springback rake over our back lawn to take out moss and to scratch the soil surface and then used weed/feed/seed last spring because of problems with moss. The lawn is approx 2 metres down from the patio and our next door neighbour had a beautiful flowering cherry (about 20metres tall) taken out so the drainage for our lawn was virtually non-existent.

Lawn was great by the autumn and is looking good so far this year with no bald patches yet.

all of these tips will work initially once the dogs are cordened off but this will be an annually as the dogs will be back playing on the grass, your best option will be to try and contain the dogs to one area of your garden which you notice to have good growth