Lawn care

beachBOYken · 31 Aug 2025 at 09:22

Is it still a bit early to aerate, overseed lawn?
After the recent rain was thinking about starting it.

Garden lawn experts please advise.

Thanks

Richie · 31 Aug 2025 at 14:24

Not too early. TBH, the timing is purely ground temperature related as you can overcome the other issues e.g. rain easy enough.

sigma · 31 Aug 2025 at 14:42

I'm waiting for the ground to be a bit more moist. It's still pretty dry here.

beachBOYken · 1 Sep 2025 at 13:29

Richie said:
Not too early. TBH, the timing is purely ground temperature related as you can overcome the other issues e.g. rain easy enough.

So I scarified, aerated, the latter was quite tough with only a fork!, I then did a heavy overseed, topsoil, (didn't really have enough), raked it all in then did another overseed, and put some winter feed down, and watered it in, but luckily its raining on and off today and rain showers are forecast for the days ahead here.

robj20 · 1 Sep 2025 at 14:27

Can you use potting compost rather than top soil only I have loads.

sigma · 1 Sep 2025 at 14:29

beachBOYken said:
So I scarified, aerated, the latter was quite tough with only a fork!, I then did a heavy overseed, topsoil, (didn't really have enough), raked it all in then did another overseed, and put some winter feed down, and watered it in, but luckily its raining on and off today and rain showers are forecast for the days ahead here.

I bought an electric scarifyer last year, much easier than a rake/fork! I did it manually the year before, never again.

The electric jobby just runs along and chews **** up! It's great

Richie · 1 Sep 2025 at 14:49

robj20 said:
Can you use potting compost rather than top soil only I have loads.

Yeah you can use compost to cover the seeds. It just isnt great for levelling as compost will rot away over time unlike soil. Its perfect for putting a very light covering over the seed though.

beachBOYken said:
So I scarified, aerated, the latter was quite tough with only a fork!, I then did a heavy overseed, topsoil, (didn't really have enough), raked it all in then did another overseed, and put some winter feed down, and watered it in, but luckily its raining on and off today and rain showers are forecast for the days ahead here.

Too late now but no need for Winter feed. That will just give the existing vegetation (grass, weeds etc) a good dose of feed and may outcompete the new seed. Grass seed contains all the energy it needs to get going. You would start feeding once there is an inch-ish of growth from the new seed.

beachBOYken · 1 Sep 2025 at 16:07

Richie said:
Yeah you can use compost to cover the seeds. It just isnt great for levelling as compost will rot away over time unlike soil. Its perfect for putting a very light covering over the seed though.

Too late now but no need for Winter feed. That will just give the existing vegetation (grass, weeds etc) a good dose of feed and may outcompete the new seed. Grass seed contains all the energy it needs to get going. You would start feeding once there is an inch-ish of growth from the new seed.

Fair enough, it was a lawn feed specifically for this time of year, so hopefully be fine. It said something like 10-6-10 on the packet of feed not sure what that means, guessing the strength of the mix.

I just wish I had more topsoil, But hopefully the rain today will really bed it in.

Richie · 1 Sep 2025 at 16:34

beachBOYken said:
Fair enough, it was a lawn feed specifically for this time of year, so hopefully be fine. It said something like 10-6-10 on the packet of feed not sure what that means, guessing the strength of the mix.

I just wish I had more topsoil, But hopefully the rain today will really bed it in.

10-6-10 is the NPK levels in the feed Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.

robj20 · 4 Sep 2025 at 15:15

Just put some seed down, covered lightly with compost and walked over it to tamp it down.
If it grows, how long do you leave it until you can cut it.

Richie · 4 Sep 2025 at 15:54

robj20 said:
Just put some seed down, covered lightly with compost and walked over it to tamp it down.
If it grows, how long do you leave it until you can cut it.

YOu want it a good 2-3 inches and, even then, you only want to nip the tips off (say ½") so that the young plants do not get pulled out by the mower. This promotes tillering within the plants (more leaves) which will thicken it up. When you do move, try and not "screw" the wheels when turning the mower as it can pull the young grass plants out as well. Best if you are able to turn on solid ground at each end e.g. slabs. Failing that, a multi point turn with small degrees of turning will be ok on the grass.

robj20 · 4 Sep 2025 at 16:26

Richie said:
YOu want it a good 2-3 inches and, even then, you only want to nip the tips off (say ½") so that the young plants do not get pulled out by the mower. This promotes tillering within the plants (more leaves) which will thicken it up. When you do move, try and not "screw" the wheels when turning the mower as it can pull the young grass plants out as well. Best if you are able to turn on solid ground at each end e.g. slabs. Failing that, a multi point turn with small degrees of turning will be ok on the grass.

It's only a cheap Flymo so that won't be an issue. Cheers