Help identify these grasses (pics)

[AlmostCutMyHairToday]

We have a very patchy lawn in our little garden. I'd like to grow grass from seed to cover these patches, and I was wondering if anyone can help identify the grasses in the pics attached.

#1, 2 and 3 are currently growing in our garden. I really like 1 and 2, but defo DON'T like 3 - it looks scraggly. I'd like to buy more seed of the #1 and 2.

I've also come across #4 in a nearby forest and really like it - it seems to tolerate shade quite well, which would be good in some areas of our garden.
Any idea of what #4 is?

Also, any general recommendations for grasses that are low growing would be great as we're not so good at keeping on top of mowing..! We're planning on mixing in some micro clover and daisies too.

Thanks!

#4 pics, and wide of our lawn

1 is meadow grass
2 is a fescue
3 looks like velvet grass

I think 4 is wood sedge.

There are companies who sell various mixes of lawn seed, so it might be worth searching online for any advice they have. It doesn't matter if the lawn sometimes gets a bit long.

I know it hasn't stopped raining for the last two years, but it does look as if a bit of ground work is needed to loosen up the soil surface and perhaps improve drainage before you start putting more seed down.

Thanks @TonTonMacoute, that's super helpful!

In terms of soil prep, I was going to remove the weeds, then use a rake to rough up and loosen the soil, then scatter the seeds and scatter a little topsoil on top, then walk over it to compact it slightly. And water lightly on days that it doesn't rain. Does that sound right? I've never done this before!

Thanks!

3. is Yorkshire Fog, Holcus lanatus. First two as @TonTonMacoute says, Poa and Festuca. I was thinking 4) looked more like a sedge, and if so, then it would be wood sedge Carex sylvatica.

in terms of plants for a lawn, you’d go for narrow leaves and a creeping rather than tussocky habit, eg Agrostis (Bent). They often add Perennial Rye Grass for toughness.

Apols to @TonTonMacoute , “velvet grass” is another name for Yorkshire Fog.

Thank you!

I'm considering a seed mix that has the below varieties. Does anyone know if any of these varieties are similar to the #3 pic (identified as Yorkshire Fog / velvet grass)? If so, I'll look for a different mix as I'm not keen on #3

• 60% Creeping Red Fescue - Variety Boreal
• 25% Perennial Ryegrass - Variety Nui
• 15% Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass - Variety Balin < I think this is also known as Kentucky Bluegrass

Scatter the top soil, then sow the seeds on top. And they need way more water than you expect. When it's hot, water the seeds lightly 2-3 times per day.
I don't know much about gardening but I have managed to successfully fix bald patches in grass!

Today's Gardeners' World had a section on lawns from seed.

There's some information here from the RHS https://www.rhs.org.uk/lawns/lawns-from-seed

I was told by a lecturer at Sparsholt to pre germinate lawn seed in a black plastic bag, this works really well and you don't lose nearly as much seed. Instructions here (scroll down) https://www.rhs.org.uk/lawns/repairing

I have fat pigeons and still bare patches in the lawn, so watch out for birds...

Red fescue is similar to, if not the same as, your no 2
Perennial rye grass is a tough grass with fairly narrow shiny green leaves - put in there to make the lawn more hardwearing
Smooth stalked meadow grass from pictures appears to be a Poa,similar to your no1.

Thank you @MereDintofPandiculation , that's super helpful! Sounds like the seed mix I have will be fine

@MontyDonsBlueScarf that's a really useful guide, thank you.

Tell them all a different secret and see which one tells others.. that's the grass 🤣🤣

I've started trying to weed by hand, only to find netting under the soil.. ugh! Whyyy

@AlmostCutMyHairToday is that part of the lawn? Sometimes turf is grown on mesh. I suspect it's easier for the grower but it's a pain for the gardener. I bought some like that once, never again!

@MontyDonsBlueScarf yes, it seems to be under the whole lawn. I guess it must have been cheap turf. At least it's just a small-ish area, though it makes the weeding doubly annoying... ugggh. Maybe I'll just end up embracing the 'weeds'..!

When I reseeded my grass I had no end of trouble with the neighbours cats enjoying their new litter tray. The mesh might end up being your friend and put them off scratching up the dirt...

That's really strange OP. I would cut it out where you can but otherwise not worry too much.

I don't know if this would be worth it for you but we have one of these, and it's brilliant for getting weeds out of the lawn. It's good at pulling out the deep roots.

Weeder