Help needed to repair back garden

[durga1986]

Hi all,

I am new to mumsnet, we recently bought a house in scotland and trying to repair the back garden, i have no idea where to start? Right now it has lot of Dandelions,moss and bald patches. We are getting quotes of around £1500 to lay a new turf, we don't afford to spend this much money now. I tried to get rid of Dandelions, but the roots are so deep it created lot of holes in the lawn. Please someone suggests me how to attach a photo here?

What's the best way to go forward?

Attaching photo- Type your message as usual, scroll down to choose file button. This will load your photo collection, click on the one you want then click on done, right top corner of photo file.
Your photo will then load onto the message.
What part of Scotland are you in? The climate variations might affect the replies you get.

Mow it and make it nice and tidy.

Buy some grass seeds and scatter over the bare areas and water it.

Remove as many weeds as you can by hand. Try not to use weed killer- it's very bad for wildlife and the environment.

Just fill the holes with dirt. Grass is fairly invasive. It will grow over the holes in no time. Also reseed/over seed it.buy some big bags quite cheaply off of amazon and keep it watered. You'll be fine.

Thanks for the info @Beebumble2, we are from west of Edinburgh. As a new user i think i have restrictions to post pictures. I can only see preview message and post message tabs but no option to add photos.

@ChandelierSail , if possible we don't want to use any chemicals as we have a toddle in the house. We have managed to remove as many weeds with roots as possible with shovel and hand, do we need to add any extra soil to cover the holes created while removing the weeds?

@Bluntness100, Do you mean buying seeds from Amazon? Our garden is 50 sq m, do you know appropriately how much seed we need?

I think your location will be quite mild compared to some in Scotland, so your grass should recover with some care, as outlined by PPs.
Any bits that are really bad can be patched with individual bits of turf, bought quite cheaply from garden centres.

No need to turf. Cut it close, seed over bald patches and scatter generally over existing grass. Do cover the seed on the bald patches with about half an inch of topsoil or compost though or birds will eat them and make sure you water really well, the soil shouldn’t be allowed to completely dry out while it’s germinating/establishing.

When i was taking out weed i have come across small&medium stones, initially i thought i might need to take out the existing lawn and remove most of the stones? Do i really need to bother about remove these stones? Am i making it really hard for me?

What's the best way to cover the holes created while taking out the weeds? Is it dirt or compost?

I am sorry too many doubts..

When we moved into our house we were overrun with dandelions, I’d pick them out by the roots be next day there’s be 30 more! We now use a company called Greethumb (there’s lots of similar) and they come 4 times a year to ‘weed and fees’, each one will be relevant, ie a Spring feed or Winter feed. We have a large lawn and it cost £50 a visit but after about 2 visits there was hugely less weeds. I now have maybe one or two a year. Cutting it even really low doesn’t seem to get the heads off. The feed also makes the grass really green and strong. You can do this yourself but I tried and totally scorched my lawn! So this may help??

@Janus, when i checked with Greenthumb, they have suggested Lawn make over plan which will cost around £650, which will include killing the weeds and scarify, aerate and new seed.

If you tidy the edges of you lawn that will make it tidier then use those bits of turf the repair big holes/bald patches.
If you remove dandelions use a long narrow trowel and get the roots as low down as possible(Brocken roots can regrow but tend not to be strong if you get them low enough).Fill the holes with sand/grit mixture(this is airation)and the grass either side will fill the gap.
Now regularly but not in dry weather.
Your other choices are pick all Dandelion heads and make wine or weed and feed.Above all enjoy having grass your toddler will trample it anyway.

I have the basic package, they will always try and give you the hard sell and try and get the aeration etc, you can buy a gadget for about £25 that does that! I’d give the weed and feed a go, if it’s the weeds that bother you it definitely kills them. I actually ask my guy to leave the daisies as I like them! Dandelions can go though!!

Also scarify just means getting a rake and giving the grass a good go, takes out the moss. Again, less than £20 for one of those from a garden centre!

Thanks for the tips Janus.

After lot of hesitation we have decided to take out the lawn and managed to got rid of lot of stones and weeds. It took us nearly 2 weeks all by hand, no machinery used. I have attached the pics of before and after make over. I am thinking of laying new turf, so that my daughter can start using this summer.
Now i am looking for some advice

• How can i level the ground apart of heeling?
• Do i need to put some top soil?
• Do i need to put any fertilizer before laying new turf? If yes, do i need to wait for few days after adding fertilizer?

Thanks

Unfortunately still i can't attach the pics.

Before pic

Missed the attachment.

! I don’t think I envisaged it looking that bad. You’ve done the right thing. I don’t know much about laying a whole lawn, but someone will be along with advice.
At least the lovely Scottish rain will help it settle in.

Wow. You've done a fantastic job so far. Can't comment on the lawn laying (youtube it?) but I'd advise you to weed between your patio slabs as those dandelions will blow across any new lawn you have.

Why cant I view photos today, is there an issue?

Not sure why the previous photos are not showing now? looks like something wrong, I had lot of troubles in uploading pictures yesterday as well. I am trying to upload again, but no luck.

after pic

Before pic

Wow that looks like hard work!!! Whilst you have nothing down, I would paint the fences, I'd go with a dark silvery grey colour.

Thanks for the idea @userxx, we are also considering painting the fence.