Clueless- help me fix my grass please!

[Paie]

Recently moved house, finally got a back garden! The grass is really patchy and looks quite weedy- can anyone advise how to fix this- easiest and cheapest methods would be appreciated! Pics attached :)

I suspect your lawn is shaded by tree branches and underpinned by tree roots? Is that the case?

It is hard work trying to revive a law, how big is it. Would you consider decorative stones instead, fake grass or digging it up and laying new turf which sadly might go the same way.

Congratulations on your back garden! I don’t think your lawn is that bad. Regular mowing (on a high setting initially so you don’t make it bald). Forget about creating a US style cartoon green garden though unless you want to spend lots and use lots of chemicals. You could have a proper English green one though..

My grass is overshasowed by trees and threaded with tree roots ........what does one do ?

I've already dug up some areas made a a couple of shady beds .Are more beds the only way forward ?

And do you think my clay soil is too wet at the moment( London SE ) to be digging and making another bed ?

My grass is overshasowed by trees and threaded with tree roots ........what does one do ?

We have the same problem! It’s really just bald, compacted, root-traced mud at the moment. We moved here last year and we aren’t experienced gardeners at all - I realise now we should have tried to prepare it better for winter. Feels like a lost cause now.

Anyway, following with interest ...

So what I would do with that is:
Firstly, get a hori hori knife, and every time you go out, dig out 10 weeds by sticking the knife in deep and getting the root out.
Rake out all the moss over the Easter weekend, and sow some fresh grass seed, over the top of the whole lot, more where there are bald patches. Rake it in gently, water [or sow the seed just before it rains].
Don't walk on it for 3 weeks.
After the 3 weeks are up, each time you go out, take out those 10 weeds [or more if you have time] and over the summer you should reduce the volume. Identify the perennials, they are the ones to worry about. I always aim for the 10 biggest or most troublesome eg creeping buttercup.
When the new grass has germinated for about a month, you can resume mowing.
If you see a dandelion before it sets seed, just nip out the head. The flowers are really good for bees.

P.s...raking out the moss WILL leave bald patches. i like moss, but alot of people don't. If you leave it in, it will give you a nice springy lawn. I only use lawns for paths these days. So you can just leave it and sow fresh seed over it to thicken your lawn up a bit.

Use grass seed specially formulated for shade. I have a shady lawn. This spring I've got bulbs growing through as it makes it more bearable until it's dry enough to cut.