We were quoted £2k to fix our patchy lawn, but a £2 B&Q buy got the grass green & healthy in 3 weeks – it looks amazing
IT’S finally the season to sit out in our gardens.
But with such a wet and windy start to the summer, some of us might be struggling with boggy grass and patchy lawns.
That includes Caitlin Gibson, who was quoted an eye-watering £2,000 to get her muddy garden fixed by a professional.
Desperate to sort it out – but not wanting to spend £2,000 – Caitlin decided to take matters into her own hands.
She shared her back lawn transformation in Facebook group Gardening On A Budget Official.
“After a horrible winter our grass became muddy and bogged,” she penned.
“We got quoted £2,000 for someone to come and grass turf it.
“B&Q had its grass turf reduced to £2.79 a square metre and we decided to take the risk.
“It has been the best risk and best £60 I’ve spent.
“I am so happy with how green and healthy it is.”
What is grass turf?
Grass turf, also known as lawn turf, is a popular options for people looking to create lush green gardens – and fast.
It is rolls of grass that have been grown and harvested to repair worn out areas in an existing lawn.
Turf rolls are convenient and easy to lay, making them a good choice for DIY gardeners.
They provide an instant green lawn, unlike grass seed which takes time to germinate and grow.
Your grass will then continue to grow underneath.
What’s more, turf is typically dense and healthy, which helps to suppress weed growth more effectively than a newly seeded lawn.
Turf also requires less initial care than seeded lawns, which need frequent watering and protection from birds and other animals.
Caitlin’s garden transformation sparked adoration in fellow green-fingered Brits.
Catrina Buston called it “brilliant”. She added: “I did this last year with reduced turf from B&Q.
“It was pretty much yellow when I got it but it looks brilliant now.
“A bit of TLC can do wonders.”
If you’ve got patchy grass, then the toilet paper hack might be worth a try.
If you’re looking to spruce up your outside seating, The Sun is running a competition where you could win a fabulous Stanwick garden seating set worth £299.
Seasonal lawn care schedule
Lawn care varies from season to season, with some tasks helping to encourage growth and root development whilst others help maintain the soil quality.
Claire Baglin, landscaping category manager from Toolstation has shared lawn care tasks and tips for each season:
Spring (March, April, May)
- Start to mow the grass bi-weekly in March when the soil and air temperatures typically reach above 6C.
- Fertilise the lawn for the first time during March using some quick-release fertiliser that is rich in nitrogen to help promote shoot growth.
- Scarify the lawn for the first time during April to remove any built-up moss or thatch that can accumulate throughout the winter.
- Aerate the lawn during April by spiking holes into the soil surface. This will help to loosen the soil and encourage growth.
- Overseeding can also be carried out throughout April to patch up any thin or bare areas of grass.
Summer (June, July, August)
- From June start to cut your grass once a week – apart from in periods of extreme heat and droughts. Increase the cutting height to protect the lawn from any possible droughts.
- In June make sure to treat the lawn for any weeds – this can either be manual removal for individual weeds or using weed killer for larger clusters.
- During July and August make sure to water the lawn at least once a week by giving it a soak for 5-10 minutes.
Autumn (September, October, November)
- From September reduce the lawn mowing frequency back to once every two weeks and conduct the last mow of the year in November.
- Fertilise the lawn for a second time during October using a slow-release fertiliser that is rich in phosphorous and potassium to strengthen the lawn.
- Throughout October and November remove any fallen leaves and other debris from the lawn surface.
Winter (December, January, February)
- From December to the end of February leave the lawn alone. Grass typically does not grow in the colder winter temperatures.
- Winter is the perfect time of the year to conduct any lawnmower maintenance including checking over the blades and filters.