Improving Lawn Drainage, Repairing Worm Casts, and Feeding for Thickness in South Wales

Drainage and Surface Leveling: Topdressing

For wet, low spots on a ¼‑acre lawn, annual topdressing after core aeration is the long‑term fix. Mix:
• Heavy soil (clay): 1 part peat, 2 parts loam, 4 parts sharp sand.
• Loamy soil: 1 peat, 4 loam, 2 sand.
• Sandy soil: 2 peat, 4 loam, 1 sand.

Apply 1.5 kg/m², work in with rake (don’t smother grass), wash off blades. Repeat yearly; depressions fill gradually.

Bare Spots from Worm Casts

Spring or fall: loosen top 8 inches, work in 3 inches peat moss, seed, keep moist until germination.

Mowing for Health

• Height: 2.5–3 in. (cool‑season grasses). Never below 2 in.
• Frequency: Remove ≤1/3 blade per cut. Spring: every 3–4 days; summer: every 7–10 days.
• Sharp blades: Sharpen rotary every 4th mowing.
• Leave clippings (unless herbicide applied). They recycle nutrients.

Fertilization Schedule (Nitrogen Focus)

• Full sun: 3 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year, split 2–3 apps.
• Shade: half that rate.
• Timing (northern climate):
  – Low quality: 1× early Sept.
  – Moderate: early May + early Sept.
  – High: early May, early Sept, late Oct/early Nov.
• Use controlled‑release N in May/Sept; fast‑release in late fall.

Calculation Example

15‑5‑10 fertilizer, 7000 sq ft, 1 lb N/1000 sq ft → 47 lbs total.

Resources

Aeration/topdressing: allinfo‑about.com
Drainage: landscaping.about.com