Ah, good old Dr Hessayon, it seems we have a lot in common Andy ( as well as name ) your start in gardening was very similar to mine, but I'm a good bit older so the book I referred to was somewhat slimmer and cost 2/6 (12 1/2pence ) still a good reference book today. That and the Reader's Digest Encyclopaedia of DIY were my favourite books for a long time. I shouldn't worry too much about the top lawn, you're doing the right things and prepared the ground thoroughly. Sadly it takes the ground some time to recover from the joint effects of removing large trees and heavy machinery, but eventually the worms will do their thing and it will be living soil again. In time some scarifying and aerating will help too. I would suggest trying some organic feeds too, pelted chicken manure works well and doesn't smell bad or for very long, (you could alternatively use bonemeal or blood fish & bone) this is not so much from an idealogical view but to bring nature back to the soil it sort of makes sense to use natural products, obviously your top dressing is working and feeding the lawn too. you can also just use a simple granular feed like Growmore which costs a lot less than specific lawn feeds and can be used for other things too. I would agree a brick edging will help a lot ( also makes edging much easier ) I bordered most of our lawn with rustic brick pavers that I'd also used for paths but these were quite expensive despite being seconds and I've since done other bits with basic brindle concrete drive sets and these soon weather and are less likely to break too ! Excited for the greenhouse - go big my friend, you won't regret it !
Ha yes! I had 2 versions of the Readers Digest DIY encyclopaedia. An old grey plastic bound one and the newer rigid red binder. Sadly they went a journey during one of our many house moves. Gutted - wish I'd kept them! Greenhouse 8.5' x 10.5' turning up today. 😁
No, the stripes are just from the grass bag dragging on the ground - works amazingly well! 😂 Could really do with a roller one as it would make doing the edges easier. 👍
Ah, good old Dr Hessayon, it seems we have a lot in common Andy ( as well as name ) your start in gardening was very similar to mine, but I'm a good bit older so the book I referred to was somewhat slimmer and cost 2/6 (12 1/2pence ) still a good reference book today. That and the Reader's Digest Encyclopaedia of DIY were my favourite books for a long time.
I shouldn't worry too much about the top lawn, you're doing the right things and prepared the ground thoroughly. Sadly it takes the ground some time to recover from the joint effects of removing large trees and heavy machinery, but eventually the worms will do their thing and it will be living soil again. In time some scarifying and aerating will help too. I would suggest trying some organic feeds too, pelted chicken manure works well and doesn't smell bad or for very long, (you could alternatively use bonemeal or blood fish & bone) this is not so much from an idealogical view but to bring nature back to the soil it sort of makes sense to use natural products, obviously your top dressing is working and feeding the lawn too. you can also just use a simple granular feed like Growmore which costs a lot less than specific lawn feeds and can be used for other things too.
I would agree a brick edging will help a lot ( also makes edging much easier ) I bordered most of our lawn with rustic brick pavers that I'd also used for paths but these were quite expensive despite being seconds and I've since done other bits with basic brindle concrete drive sets and these soon weather and are less likely to break too !
Excited for the greenhouse - go big my friend, you won't regret it !
Ha yes! I had 2 versions of the Readers Digest DIY encyclopaedia. An old grey plastic bound one and the newer rigid red binder. Sadly they went a journey during one of our many house moves. Gutted - wish I'd kept them! Greenhouse 8.5' x 10.5' turning up today. 😁
Has your mower got a little roller? It looks like lovely stripes after mowing?
No, the stripes are just from the grass bag dragging on the ground - works amazingly well! 😂 Could really do with a roller one as it would make doing the edges easier. 👍