Hi @harrywoody95
Thanks for your question about why your newly laid lawn isn't thriving! You have certainly put in all of the hard work with the feed, aeration and dethatching.
I think to be honest, this has been the undoing of some of your dream lawn plans. Looking at the rural field behind you, you have relatively decent soil. Then, looking at the grass, it looks quite thin and choked, as if it's overseeded, and with some moss. I would hazard a guess that all the feeding has led to an excess of nitrogen in the soil, which can actually stunt decent grass growth and cause very weak thin growth, which is what I'm seeing.
I can actually see where the lawn feed has been concentrated, which is where that light coloured 'lake' shape is in the middle, I would say that a lot of the feed has ended up pooling here through one route or another.
Ok I'm going to give you some advice that may shock you. Stop feeding the lawn this year. Overfeeding any plant, in particular large areas like lawns can cause more problems than they claim to solve.
Overfeeding a lawn can turn it yellow due to nutrient overload, particularly from excessive nitrogen. While nitrogen is essential for healthy, green growth, too much can actually harm the grass. Here's why:
1. Fertilizer Burn (Salt Buildup)
Most lawn feeds contain soluble salts that deliver nutrients. When too much fertilizer is applied, these salts build up in the soil, drawing moisture away from the grass roots. This causes dehydration at the root level, leading to scorched, yellowed blades — a condition known as fertilizer burn.
2. Root Damage
Excessive nitrogen can cause the grass to produce lush top growth too quickly. While this might look impressive at first, the roots struggle to keep up, resulting in a weak and shallow root system. Shallow roots reduce the plant's ability to access water and nutrients effectively, leaving it vulnerable to drought stress and turning the grass yellow.
3. Imbalanced Nutrients
Overfeeding with nitrogen can create an imbalance in essential nutrients like potassium and phosphorus, both of which are crucial for strong roots and overall lawn health. This imbalance can weaken the grass, making it more susceptible to pests, diseases, and stress — often signalled by yellowing patches.
4. Soil pH Shift
Some fertilizers can alter the soil's pH, making it too acidic or alkaline for the grass to absorb nutrients properly. Even if the soil is rich in nutrients, the grass may show signs of deficiency, including yellowing.
Secondly, I wouldn't try to rake out the moss by hand, hire a scarifier, and give it a deep scarify. This will loosen up the turf and get rid of the moss, creating much thicker growth without any feed or new seed. Yes, it will look terrible once you've done it, but it will come back in 4-6 weeks and be far healthier than before!
https://youtu.be/8oeYfHJvmsQ
Yes, lawns need the occasional feed every 3-5 years, but scarifying is the best tool for renovating and opening them up. Give it a go, and I'm certain this problem will soon be rectified!
All the best
Lee Garden Ninja
Hi @harrywoody95
Thanks for your question about why your newly laid lawn isn't thriving! You have certainly put in all of the hard work with the feed, aeration and dethatching.
I think to be honest, this has been the undoing of some of your dream lawn plans. Looking at the rural field behind you, you have relatively decent soil. Then, looking at the grass, it looks quite thin and choked, as if it's overseeded, and with some moss. I would hazard a guess that all the feeding has led to an excess of nitrogen in the soil, which can actually stunt decent grass growth and cause very weak thin growth, which is what I'm seeing.
I can actually see where the lawn feed has been concentrated, which is where that light coloured 'lake' shape is in the middle, I would say that a lot of the feed has ended up pooling here through one route or another.
Ok I'm going to give you some advice that may shock you. Stop feeding the lawn this year. Overfeeding any plant, in particular large areas like lawns can cause more problems than they claim to solve.
Overfeeding a lawn can turn it yellow due to nutrient overload, particularly from excessive nitrogen. While nitrogen is essential for healthy, green growth, too much can actually harm the grass. Here's why:
1. Fertilizer Burn (Salt Buildup)
Most lawn feeds contain soluble salts that deliver nutrients. When too much fertilizer is applied, these salts build up in the soil, drawing moisture away from the grass roots. This causes dehydration at the root level, leading to scorched, yellowed blades — a condition known as fertilizer burn.
2. Root Damage
Excessive nitrogen can cause the grass to produce lush top growth too quickly. While this might look impressive at first, the roots struggle to keep up, resulting in a weak and shallow root system. Shallow roots reduce the plant's ability to access water and nutrients effectively, leaving it vulnerable to drought stress and turning the grass yellow.
3. Imbalanced Nutrients
Overfeeding with nitrogen can create an imbalance in essential nutrients like potassium and phosphorus, both of which are crucial for strong roots and overall lawn health. This imbalance can weaken the grass, making it more susceptible to pests, diseases, and stress — often signalled by yellowing patches.
4. Soil pH Shift
Some fertilizers can alter the soil's pH, making it too acidic or alkaline for the grass to absorb nutrients properly. Even if the soil is rich in nutrients, the grass may show signs of deficiency, including yellowing.
Secondly, I wouldn't try to rake out the moss by hand, hire a scarifier, and give it a deep scarify. This will loosen up the turf and get rid of the moss, creating much thicker growth without any feed or new seed. Yes, it will look terrible once you've done it, but it will come back in 4-6 weeks and be far healthier than before!
Yes, lawns need the occasional feed every 3-5 years, but scarifying is the best tool for renovating and opening them up. Give it a go, and I'm certain this problem will soon be rectified!
All the best
Lee Garden Ninja
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