Gardener's Question Time

[Pootsy]

Repairing a lawn, have put a lawn weedkiller on, seems to be doing the trick but the lawn is very patchy.
Have grass seeds bought, any experts with good tips before I make a total balls of it ?

Depends which weedkiller you've put down but depending on their recommendation it could be 8 weeks until you can reseed.

Mow regularly (3 times a week) you shouldn't gather more than a single basket/bucket of cuttings each cut (depending on lawn size)
Aerate by pushing a garden fork or specific tool into the ground a few inches all over
Scarify with a machine or by hand using a rake once the moss is black (usually after 2 weeks)
Remove any fast growing weeds by hand, filling the hole with some fresh soil

When ready to reseed, put a few bags of garden sand or course sand down and rake flat. Apply the grass seed and gently rake the seed so there is a good contact with the ground. Water daily but do not over water. DO NOT create standing puddles.

After a week you should see some grass seedlings sprouting. After two weeks you'll see the patches turning green. Wait 2 weeks after seeding before performing a high mow. You don't want to pull the new seedlings out. After a month you can start lowering the cut height but be patient.

 

[Joey66]

As parsnips are only 8 pence a bag at the moment, what is the best way of storing them, apart from the freezer ?

Eat them quick ......

 

[Joey66]

Depends which weedkiller you've put down but depending on their recommendation it could be 8 weeks until you can reseed.

Mow regularly (3 times a week) you shouldn't gather more than a single basket/bucket of cuttings each cut (depending on lawn size)
Aerate by pushing a garden fork or specific tool into the ground a few inches all over
Scarify with a machine or by hand using a rake once the moss is black (usually after 2 weeks)
Remove any fast growing weeds by hand, filling the hole with some fresh soil

When ready to reseed, put a few bags of garden sand or course sand down and rake flat. Apply the grass seed and gently rake the seed so there is a good contact with the ground. Water daily but do not over water. DO NOT create standing puddles.

After a week you should see some grass seedlings sprouting. After two weeks you'll see the patches turning green. Wait 2 weeks after seeding before performing a high mow. You don't want to pull the new seedlings out. After a month you can start lowering the cut height but be patient.

If your lawn is bone dry do not apply until it rains hard ... - obviously if you kill the weeds patches will occur - so loosen the patches with a rake or fork rake level & get a container of fine compost mkix a good spread of gras seed in the mixture & apply by had over the bare patches & rake in & the firm down with you feet & add grass seed to the top for th birds & water in .....

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

OMG I have a tip!

Plant Marigolds in close proximity to try to put off aphids attacking the Tomato and Chilli plants. Wee aphids noses don't like the smell of the yellow Marigold flowers so don't go near.

We did that and the lovely-named Dog Vomit Slime Mold appeared near one. First year we used a thick layer of mulch. Gardening, eh?

 

[Joey66]

Tagetes - are the old style marigolds that deter white fly in you greenhouse plant in rows between your Tomatoes - not the ordinary French marigold the Tagetes foliage has a repugnant smell, but produces nice yellow star shaped flowers ....
the foliage smell can work to deter whitefly .....