It's change time for the lawn

[WitchetyWoman]

Inadvertently got some rubbish grass seed at some point and it's very coarse, doesn't cover well and it grows really long - it's horrible and I want to kill it off pretty much and start again, put some topsoil down and then re-sow. My question on this is what is a safe herbicide to use that will kill the lawn but the dog would still be able to go out and have a wee - what would people suggest and how long does that type of herbicide take to work before I could sow again?

The second part is that every spring I've been reseeding the grass and its decent through summer and early autumn, but then by the time spring comes round again, despite all the care in between, it's just loads of mud patches. Is this just the action of worms, or is it leather jackets (I've never actually seen any!)? Do I need to put nematodes down for them, or is it just because the grass isn't actually growing densely enough? If nematodes does sound like it's something needed would I do the herbicide first and then the nematodes?

Thanks for any advice!

I wonder if your soil is a bit wet for the grass over winter? A heavy soil will probably suit it well in the summer too by retaining moisture - hence the over-lush growth!

I would personally not use herbicide - they are all pretty toxic and the dog will tread it into our home as will you. You could kill the grass off by covering it over completely for a few months - but obviously that's not instant. I would have a google to see what options there might be.

But whatever you opt to do, it would be worth seeing if our soil drainage is bad, and if it is, take steps to improve it. There are doubtless videos on youtube I think you do things like digging a hole and seeing how long water takes to soak away etc.

Please avoid dangerous chemicals. This isn't the answer and is really destructive to wildlife. Perfect lawns are the result of obsessive care, attention and experience. You will never have a perfect lawn unless you're like this about it. Look at alternatives such as wildflower turf, or a Heath Pearlwort 'lawn'.

Doesn't all grass grow long and coarse unless cut regularly? It's the cutting that keeps it thick, short and more lush.

Probably explain a bit more... the drainage is pretty good, it's on a slight slope and because several parts of, what's now lawn, was flower beds, the soil is good - lots of good stuff in it, and not a heavy or clay soil. However it is a garden which faces NE so it's gloomy and dark over much of that lawn, the sun goes off it by late morning apart from one side (which, funnily enough, is where my v large container flower bed is).

Also, I don't believe Im getting over-lush growth, just normal growth really 🙂.

Yes, I was asking about herbicides specifically because I don't want to use one that's dangerous to any creature's life. I also am not trying to achieve 'the perfect lawn' and, funnily enough, it's already sewn with clover as well, and I intend to replace the grass (and all the endless mowing and faffing that grass requires) with several native wild flowers and lots more clover, and possibly plant a thyme path. I've not heard of the above lawn, so will definitely take a look, thank you.

This is not general lawn regrowth, it's two v different grass seeds - one of them absolutely rubbish for a lawn anywhere. Following mowing where that seed was sown, it's a totally different type of grass, totally unsuited to a lawn, and it isn't at all 'lush' it's just a very unsuitable seed that was sold as a lawn seed, when it patently is useless for that job - the difference between the two types of grass is absolutely obvious when you're stood looking at it.

Ah - then my experience is that frequent cutting normally dissuades those types of grass.

I honestly think a herbicide is going to be more trouble to you than it is worth. I would, personally, cut it as short as possible, put a good layer of top soil on and reseed with fresh seed on top of that - and champion that grass to grow. The stuff underneath is then likely to never really get another foothold.

Got you, many thanks.