How to make grass fuller and greener - help!

[butterflycatcher]

My lawn is super patchy. We failed to properly clear autumn leaves off the grass, not realising the impact this would have on the grass. What can I do to make the grass fuller and greener. Based in Kent so milder temperatures. Garden is east facing. Any advice much appreciated, I've never had a garden to look after so there is a lot to learn. Thank you.

Westland's Aftercut feed and seed.
Buy a BIG bag / box.
Don't go from "meadow" to "scalped" when cutting. Mow regularly eg weekly in the summer just to take of 1cm each time. A robotic mower can help with this if you are short on time.

As above, but you may also need to water it. Up here in Perthshire we have had a very dry January, and my lawn was getting a bit parched until last night’s rain.
If your soil is compacted, it can help to spike and aerate the lawn, too.

Raise the cut on the mower to 2" until it has recovered.

Buy some grass seed and sprinkle it liberally everywhere.

Lawns always look at their sorriest this time of year.

Wait another month, then apply a feed. 2-4 weeks later apply a good scattering of seed (especially if you can see a rain period coming up).

By May it'll look splendid again!

Mow little and often.

Exactly the same here, also from leaves. I bought some grass seed and just reseeded it everywhere. A week in and it's already looking much better. By spring it should be back to its former glory

So ...same grass condition here in London .Wait a month - as Buttermytimbers advice - or go ahead now ?

I added white clover to my lawn. Fills in, looks lush and is great for bees and wildlife. Also improves soil.

That's interesting Kosher. Do you think the conditions I have - overshadowed by trees ,clay ,poorly drained ,etc -which make grass growing tricky ,would deter clover ?

And how do you mow a part clover part grass lawn ?

@peridito

That's interesting Kosher. Do you think the conditions I have - overshadowed by trees ,clay ,poorly drained ,etc -which make grass growing tricky ,would deter clover ?

And how do you mow a part clover part grass lawn ?

I think it does need a fair amount of sun.
But it's pretty helpful to poor soil.

Mowing isn't a problem as I keep my mower blade set high.

Have you considered cultivating moss in the shaded areas? I'm doing that too and it's lovely.

I'm forever scavenging bits of moss at friends' homes, lol.

@peridito

That's interesting Kosher. Do you think the conditions I have - overshadowed by trees ,clay ,poorly drained ,etc -which make grass growing tricky ,would deter clover ?

And how do you mow a part clover part grass lawn ?

Moss would thrive in the moisture, btw, and don't care about the soil. It could be charming.

For those with dogs - clover is especially good at resisting dog pee burn.

Grass partly dormant due to low soil temperatures. May also be affected by waterlogged soil and compaction. IF it's dry enough to walk on without squelching, try forking as deep as possible to help the water drain down and air into the surface.

Raise your mower to the top setting. Cut, rake and scarify when the weather allows. I’ve been putting holes in my lawn to let the trapped carbon dioxide out and it always makes it super green. Sprinkle grass seed. It will look fabulous!

@Spudina

Raise your mower to the top setting. Cut, rake and scarify when the weather allows. I’ve been putting holes in my lawn to let the trapped carbon dioxide out and it always makes it super green. Sprinkle grass seed. It will look fabulous!

What kind of holes?

In answer to the above - Holes made with a four pronged fork. Stab it in. Small wiggle to widen the hole slightly. Some people put sand or grass seed in the holes, or both.

PS in the better weather if anyone is using weed feed and moss kill type products, remember to be VERY careful as to how much you spread and to do it VERY evenly or you will have great burned patches.

Up here in Scotland it’s still a bit too early for much lawn care as the growing season hasn’t started.