Can any green fingered friends help please?

[Teacher12345]

Our lawn has always been awful. Damp clay ground meant that over the years we have had mushrooms grow, moss, thistles and now dandilions. The grass was destroyed last year after a trampoline had hidden it from sunlight for 12 months so we decided to grow a new one. It has come through really well but so have the dandilions! In fact almost 50% of the garden are covered in them. It is such a big job to get the buggers out that we are wondering if there is a good weedkiller we can use instead? Only reason we are cautious is because the grass is still quite new (planted 6/7 weeks ago) and we don't wasnt to kill it. Any ideas?

Lawn weedkiller will kill weeds without harming the grass. You could try a feed n weed application which will also fertilise your new grass.

Dandelions are far better for wildlife than a lawn.

I would say weed and feed as well, but be very careful not to over-apply it because it will harm your lawn if you do. Also stick to the instructions on the package as to how many applications per season max (usually twice a year).

Thanks Ladies.

@eggboxes does have a very good point. Dandelions are one of the first flowers to appear and are an excellent source of early nectar for small buzzing things.

Dandelions s as re a valuable food source for wildlife. Weed killer however is hugely detrimental to it. Learn to love them?

Wish I could have more dandelions -the g.pigs love them

If the dandelions were here and there it would be fine but they take over half the garden. The kids are only young and love to run around bare foot and the dandelions are rough on their feet. They need to go. The ones down by the side of the fence (separate to the lawn) can stay though.

You can get a little tool that digs up dandelions really easily. I'd use that over chemicals.

Also the stronger you make your grass, the less the weeds will be able to grow (lawn feed), have a google search on it

@Cakecrumbsinmybra we have one but there are just so many of them! Honestly there are so so many! We started pulling them out. Probably did about 15-20. At least double that left to do.

So you're about a third done 😊 once they're gone, they won't seed and far fewer will come through, until they are all gone. It won't take that long. I barely have any dandelions in lawn now (enormous lawn, garden business), due to feeding lawn and removing dandelions. Haven't used any weed killers at all.

Maybe we should just stop being so lazy then. We just hate gardening

Very few weed n feed products are suitable for use on a lawn under 6months old. Some professional selective weedkillers are, but can only be supplied to licensed users. A lawn care company may do a one off treatment if you pick an independent rather than the franchise type