Before we start let's get something straight: we are not as green-fingered as others seem to think we are! But with a bit of research, a can-do attitude and a good dollop of patience, I'd like to think we've turned our little garden into something to be proud of.
At some point this year we moved some pots on to the lawn, probably as a temporary measure while we re-organise bits and bobs. Unfortunately, we neglected to move them back and when we did the grass underneath had decided it had had quite enough and didn't want to grow anymore. After that it went all mossy and the patches were now standing out like a sore thumb as the grass grew up around it.
So here we'll tell you how we've rectified the problem so if you come across the same issue you know how to fix it. We were not super-careful when we went about our work as we're not entering our lawn into any village competitions so if that's on your mind you should take a little extra care. I've tried two different methods for repairing lawn patches and I think I'm happier with the results of the first method.
Method one: "scraping"
First of all we treated the affected areas with Resolva Moss Killer. Be careful not to spray the surrounding areas of lawn as this will likely kill off the grass too. We've done this in both early Spring and late Summer as temperatures were warm enough but if it's too cold the moss killer will have reduced effect and may need a second treatment.
Once the moss/weed killer had been left for a week or so we were ready for step two. Take a small hand fork or similar and scrape the moss out of the ground. If the moss killer has worked this should be fairly easy. You should also be safe to scrape the edges of the treated area as the healthy grass won't come away so easily but also it won't harm it. What you have left now should be some bare earth patches in your grass.
Step three is to get some lawn seed and scatter in accordance with the manufacturer's guidance on the pack. Different seed will need different concentrations of spread so read the instructions! We also put some plant fertiliser down for good measure, hopefully that will encourage some lush growth.
Once you're happy with the spread of lawn seed and the optional fertiliser, cover the seeds with some top soil and press down the earth with your foot to level it out. This will mean you have a good even lawn when the shoots come through (something I'm not sure the builders who laid the original lawn had an interest in as it's hardly good enough for lawn bowls!).
The last step is to water the area with plenty of water and then wait. After a week to 10 days you should see the new shoots coming up through the top soil. Voila! New lawn from the mossy ashes!
Method two: digging out
The second method, which had less pleasing results though I am the first to admit to being towards the lower end of the amateur gardener scale of competency, is to dig out the affected area.
As with method one, I treated the areas to be re-sown with moss killer or weedkiller to clear out the moss and dead grass. Then, with a shovel or edging tool, cut down into the ground around the treated area. You should then be able to dig out the offending grass with a shovel and effectively start again.
Lining the hole with a peat-free compost, follow the lawn seed directions for sowing density and cover over with some top soil, again being to sure to flat down the earth for an even surface.
If you have children who run around with reckless abandon or regular avian visitors to your garden it may be as well to cover the treated areas with a plastic top sheet - not only will this keep the ground warm and moist - perfect to encourage seed germination - but it'll offer some protection from birds on the hunt for seeds or children trampling the new shoots.
We have the grass that was laid down by the builders and are using lawn seed which is not the same grass, so the lawn is a little patchy but at least it's all lawn now. I think the reason I prefer the first method is because it's not quite so "patch-work". With the second method we have squares of green grass that are slightly different in colour and texture to the surrounding grass whereas with the first method, you still have the different colour and texture but the lines aren't so obvious - they're blurred and blend in with the rest of the grass better because of the uneven border.
Left: method one
Right: method two
Neither are going to win any RHS prizes but I think I prefer how the first attempt has turned out!
If I had my way we'd pull the whole lot up and re-lay it with better quality grass but I've been told that is very much not an option; maybe for the next garden...
Let us know how you get on if you try either of the above or if there's a better way to repair your lawn.
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