Grass recovery
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- abcd
- Registered Member
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- Joined: 2nd Nov 2023 at 5:55pm
Nov 2023
22
14:43
Grass recovery
Hello,
There's a lot of grassy areas of the playground at my school - well, when I say grass, about half of it is now mud. What things can I do to try and enable grass to recover? It's covered in leaves - should I rake it off or let it turn to compost for the grass? I'm also cordoning it off in rainy weather. Tried to fence it off completely last summer which worked a wee bit after I planted some grass seeds but the school wanted the area reinstated after a month so did not improve much.
There's a lot of grassy areas of the playground at my school - well, when I say grass, about half of it is now mud. What things can I do to try and enable grass to recover? It's covered in leaves - should I rake it off or let it turn to compost for the grass? I'm also cordoning it off in rainy weather. Tried to fence it off completely last summer which worked a wee bit after I planted some grass seeds but the school wanted the area reinstated after a month so did not improve much.
- thecaretaker
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Nov 2023
22
14:53
Re: Grass recovery
Not much you can do until the spring. Then rake any debris off, aerate the soil with an aerator (thing with lots of spikes on) scatter new seed (make sure you buy a tough grass seed) and feed with a lawn feed as directed.
Unless you keep people off the grass, any grass can only take so much punishment. But grass (if you buy the right type of heavy duty/sports grass seed) is surprisingly resilient and will often win in the end.
Unless you keep people off the grass, any grass can only take so much punishment. But grass (if you buy the right type of heavy duty/sports grass seed) is surprisingly resilient and will often win in the end.
Vérité Sans Peur
(Truth Without Fear)
- Vera
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Nov 2023
22
15:10
Re: Grass recovery
CT has it here..thecaretaker wrote: ↑22nd Nov 2023 at 2:53pm Not much you can do until the spring. Then rake any debris off, aerate the soil with an aerator (thing with lots of spikes on) scatter new seed (make sure you buy a tough grass seed) and feed with a lawn feed as directed.
Unless you keep people off the grass, any grass can only take so much punishment. But grass (if you buy the right type of heavy duty/sports grass seed) is surprisingly resilient and will often win in the end.
We have OPAL play and our field gets hammered as they play out in all weathers.
I do keep saying that to the head and pointing out the grass needs time to recover particularly this time of year as any mud when trampled in will compact the soil making it impossible for the grass to re grow.
i'm going to need a bigger bucket!
There's no such thing as bad weather, Only the wrong clothes
There's no such thing as bad weather, Only the wrong clothes
- Sparky
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Nov 2023
22
23:45
Re: Grass recovery
Grass is pretty resilient stuff and “should” make a recovery during the spring but as said may need a little boost if it’s really been hammered.
You could also sprinkle a little grass seed in the affected areas. Won’t really do much now but will give a chance for it to bed in, keep damp and hopefully make an appearance in March / April time
You could also sprinkle a little grass seed in the affected areas. Won’t really do much now but will give a chance for it to bed in, keep damp and hopefully make an appearance in March / April time
- Vera
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Nov 2023
23
07:48
Re: Grass recovery
It will probably rot if you put it in now.Sparky wrote: ↑22nd Nov 2023 at 11:45pm Grass is pretty resilient stuff and “should” make a recovery during the spring but as said may need a little boost if it’s really been hammered.
You could also sprinkle a little grass seed in the affected areas. Won’t really do much now but will give a chance for it to bed in, keep damp and hopefully make an appearance in March / April time
Spring is the best time wait until you see the other grass growing the seed and protect.
i'm going to need a bigger bucket!
There's no such thing as bad weather, Only the wrong clothes
There's no such thing as bad weather, Only the wrong clothes
- abcd
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- Joined: 2nd Nov 2023 at 5:55pm
Nov 2023
23
08:44
Re: Grass recovery
Thanks for the advice! Good idea about an aerator - I'll try and get one for the spring along with hardy grass seeds.
Just one more question - do you normally rake off the leaves during winter?
Just one more question - do you normally rake off the leaves during winter?
- abcd
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- Joined: 2nd Nov 2023 at 5:55pm
Nov 2023
23
08:46
Re: Grass recovery
- Vera
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Nov 2023
23
08:55
Re: Grass recovery
I only clear the ornamental grass areas at the front of the school.
The field is left as the leaves will rot and provide nutrients to the soil and grass.
It also is very beneficial to bugs and wildlife.
i'm going to need a bigger bucket!
There's no such thing as bad weather, Only the wrong clothes
There's no such thing as bad weather, Only the wrong clothes
- Keyolder
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Nov 2023
23
09:29
Re: Grass recovery
I remember a gardener once telling me to go over the autumn leaves with a mower but don’t collect the clippings, they will rot down quicker than if you just leave them on top of the grass.
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it...
If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.
- abcd
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- Joined: 2nd Nov 2023 at 5:55pm
Nov 2023
23
14:43
Re: Grass recovery
Great thanks. Better for the grass and nature and less work for me. Sounds good to me!