How to renovate your lawn

If your lawn is damaged, looking tired with bare patches, or has simply seen better days, it might be time to renovate.

Whether you want to enhance your outdoor aesthetic, increase property value, or have a vibrant green carpet to look out on, renovating your lawn can breathe new life into your outdoor space.

Here’s how you can renovate your lawn!

1. Scarify

Scarification removes the layer of thatch, dead grass, and moss that can suffocate your lawn.

Use a scarifier or a rake to remove thatch and moss buildup from your lawn. This process helps prevent suffocation and allows for better air circulation and nutrient absorption.

1. Set your scarifier to the appropriate depth (around 1/4 inch).
2. Move the scarifier across your lawn in straight lines, overlapping slightly with each pass.
3. Rake up the debris and dispose.
4. Dispose of the collected thatch in your compost pile or garden waste bin.

2. Aeration

Aeration involves perforating the soil with holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeper. This process alleviates soil compaction, promotes root growth, and enhances overall lawn health.

Use a lawn aerator to create holes in the soil. Focus on high-traffic areas where compaction is an issue.

1. Water your lawn a day before aerating to soften the soil.
2. Use the aerator to create holes spaced about 4-6 inches apart across the lawn.
3. Focus on high-traffic areas where compaction is an issue.
4. Leave the soil plugs on the surface; they will break down and contribute nutrients back into the soil.

3. Reseeding

Reseeding is a crucial step in lawn renovation. This will fill in bare spots and create a thicker, healthier lawn.

After scarification and aeration, spread grass seed evenly across your lawn. Lightly rake the soil to ensure good seed-to-soil contact, and water gently to promote germination.

1. Spread grass seed evenly across your lawn using a broadcast spreader. Follow the recommended seeding rate on the seed package (usually about 2-3 pounds per 1,000 square feet).
2. Lightly rake the soil to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.
3. Water gently to promote germination.

4. Top Dressing

Top dressing involves applying a thin layer of compost or soil over your lawn. This enriches the soil, improves drainage, and enhances seed germination, contributing to a lush, vibrant lawn.

Apply a thin layer of compost or quality topsoil across your lawn using a shovel or spreader. This enriches the soil and improves drainage.

1. Use a shovel to scoop compost or topsoil into a wheelbarrow.
2. Evenly distribute a thin layer (1/4 to 1/2 inch) over your lawn using a spreader or rake.
3. Be careful not to bury the grass seeds; the goal is to improve the existing soil structure.

5. Watering

Establish a consistent watering schedule, ideally in the early morning or late afternoon to minimise evaporation. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall. Consider using a rain gauge to track moisture levels and adjust your watering accordingly.

1. Use a rain gauge to track moisture levels and adjust your watering accordingly.
2. During the first few weeks after reseeding, water lightly every day or every other day to keep the soil consistently moist.
3. Once the grass is established, you can reduce watering to a deeper, less frequent schedule.

Did you know our lawn care experts can carry out a lawn renovation or repair for you, saving you the time and hassle of carrying out the process yourself? Our teams also use professional products and equipment to carry out the renovation to the very highest standard.

Not a Greensleeves customer yet? Measure your lawn and hard surfaces, and receive your instant quote today!