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How to fix a weed infested lawn?

#1 · 24th March 2024, 6:44 pm

Hey,

First time poster coming straight in with a big question! We moved into our new home last month and I’ve only just got around to tidy, cut and strim the garden.

It’s pretty bad. I think previous owners had a trampoline!

Lots of weeds, dead areas of grass, and it’s very uneven.

I’ve watched a handful of YouTube videos, but it seems like for someone very new to gardening (we’ve never had grass before!) it seems like a mammoth task ahead.

Could someone give some friendly pointers / tips on how you would start to reinvigorate the lawn here?

I’m guessing the first start would be to deweed! We have 2 young kids and a dog so unsure of best weed killer to use.

Thanks.

Uploaded files:

#2 · 28th March 2024, 7:37 am

Quote from Lee Garden Ninja on 28th March 2024, 7:37 am
Hi @awowen10,
Thanks for your comment. Don't worry—you're not alone as a new gardener who feels overwhelmed by what to do with their new garden. Luckily, you found the Garden Ninja community, so you have a huge amount of beginner-friendly advice to help guide you with this site and my YouTube channel.
That lawn certainly does need some attention but looking at the size of it, don't be too put off. There is no more than a weekend's worth of work there. Here is what I would do to revive that lawn and remove the weeds.
How to remove weeds from a lawn
Step 1 - Remove perennial tap-rooted weeds by hand
The first thing I would do is remove the large weeds, like Dandelions or Docks, by hand. Use a hori hori, knife or weeder to lift out the tap roots. This is stage one.
Step 2 - Add a feed and weed treatment to the lawn
I would then consider applying a weed and feed mix which both gives the grass a nutrient boost but also selectively combats the rest of the weeds. Apply this based on the packaging a week or two before the next couple of steps.
https://youtu.be/4WIDSCJ4o6M
Step 3 - Aerate the lawn with a fork
Work your way across the lawn with a garden fork at intervals. Spike the lawn, wiggle the fork and continue until the whole lawn has been aerated, this will help with drainage and open up the soil structure.
Step 4: Scarify the lawn
This is the bit that most new gardeners skip. Hire a scarifier for your lawn. This is a machine that slices through the lawn rhizomes, creating fresh new growth and lifting out moss and dead grass. It looks and feels brutal, but it is the best way to renovate your lawn. I would do this either in early spring or in autumn. Your lawn is going to look awful afterwards, but it will bounce back better than ever.
https://youtu.be/8oeYfHJvmsQ
Step 5: After scarification, overseed the lawn
This is the final step to help boost the area where the trampoline was. The scarification will open up the soil, so scatter the seeds as per the instructions on the packet and water. Then, wait a few weeks for it to germinate.
If I were you I may do the first 3 steps and then scarify in Autumn so you're not staring out at a messy lawn for the next few weeks, or you may want to bite the bullet and just get it sorted!
Do post pictures when you've completed these steps or you may want to book a consultation with me to see how you can transform this space into a gorgeous garden!
All the best
Lee Garden Ninja

Hi @awowen10,

Thanks for your comment. Don't worry—you're not alone as a new gardener who feels overwhelmed by what to do with their new garden. Luckily, you found the Garden Ninja community, so you have a huge amount of beginner-friendly advice to help guide you with this site and my YouTube channel.

That lawn certainly does need some attention but looking at the size of it, don't be too put off. There is no more than a weekend's worth of work there. Here is what I would do to revive that lawn and remove the weeds.

How to remove weeds from a lawn

Step 1 - Remove perennial tap-rooted weeds by hand

The first thing I would do is remove the large weeds, like Dandelions or Docks, by hand. Use a hori hori, knife or weeder to lift out the tap roots. This is stage one.

Step 2 - Add a feed and weed treatment to the lawn

I would then consider applying a weed and feed mix which both gives the grass a nutrient boost but also selectively combats the rest of the weeds. Apply this based on the packaging a week or two before the next couple of steps.

Step 3 - Aerate the lawn with a fork

Work your way across the lawn with a garden fork at intervals. Spike the lawn, wiggle the fork and continue until the whole lawn has been aerated, this will help with drainage and open up the soil structure.

Step 4: Scarify the lawn

This is the bit that most new gardeners skip. Hire a scarifier for your lawn. This is a machine that slices through the lawn rhizomes, creating fresh new growth and lifting out moss and dead grass. It looks and feels brutal, but it is the best way to renovate your lawn. I would do this either in early spring or in autumn. Your lawn is going to look awful afterwards, but it will bounce back better than ever.

Step 5: After scarification, overseed the lawn

This is the final step to help boost the area where the trampoline was. The scarification will open up the soil, so scatter the seeds as per the instructions on the packet and water. Then, wait a few weeks for it to germinate.

If I were you I may do the first 3 steps and then scarify in Autumn so you're not staring out at a messy lawn for the next few weeks, or you may want to bite the bullet and just get it sorted!

Do post pictures when you've completed these steps or you may want to book a consultation with me to see how you can transform this space into a gorgeous garden!

All the best

Lee Garden Ninja

#3 · 5th May 2024, 3:58 pm

Hey Lee,

First of all, thank you so much for your detailed and easy to follow response.

Second of all, I’m so sorry it’s only taking me until now to get back to you! Truth is, life got in the way and I seldom have a weekend free to tackle the garden beyond cutting the grass!

However I have been out there for a few hours today, grass cut & strimmed, and I’ve been on my hands and knees and wow there are SO many weeds. I was actually shocked at how deep and thick some of the roots were. I suspect it’s going to take me another 3-4 hours at least trying to get to them all they are literally every 1-2 inches.

I will finish it off tomorrow, and then on Friday I will spread the weed and feed treatment. I’m in the UK can you recommend a dog friendly one?

and then on that same weekend I will tackle the rest. Is 3 days long enough for the feed and weed treatment to be effective? At this point I just want to get it done now.

#4 · 7th May 2024, 4:03 pm

Hi @awowen10

No worries, I know how busy life can be!

My advice if that is the case is to apply a weed and feed treatment but leave it 2-3 weeks and you'll start to see the weeds grow tall then keel over!

I would just leave that to do its trick. If you can, keep the dog off the lawn for two days whilst it is taken in, and always read the packet. They shouldn't be too toxic as they are a selective broadleaf weedkiller, but just check just in case.

Do let us know how you get on!

All the best

Lee Garden Ninja