How to restore lawn?

ellana_n

Please I need your help. My kids have been asking for soft grass. 

Currently my grass is dead and very neglected. It’s has large clumps of grass that seem to be quite hard. I’m not sure what type of grass I have either. I’ve attached some photos to help identify. 

Can you please help me and point me in the right direction to where I can start to get the perfect grass for my children?

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @ellana_n. It's terrific to have you join us and many thanks for your question on restoring a lawn.

Is it the entire lawn that has these clumpy, spiky sections, or are they just in patches while the rest of the grass looks okay? The first step will be deciding whether your existing lawn is worth saving or if it would be better to remove it and start fresh with a new variety such as Sir Walter Buffalo, which is soft underfoot and great for kids.

 

If the spiky grass is only in some areas, you could treat those sections by killing off and digging out the unwanted grass to remove the hazard, then repair the bare spots using turf or seed. However, the fact that the lawn has become patchy and tough suggests the soil might also need rejuvenating.

If you can share a few wider photos of the whole lawn, that will help determine how much of it needs to be replaced. But if your goal is to have a soft, uniform lawn, it’s usually best to start with a clean slate. That would mean spraying or removing the existing grass, digging out any stubborn clumps, then aerating and top-dressing the soil before laying new turf. Remember to wear PPE, including safety glasses, gloves, overalls and a facemask when spraying products like Round-up.

 

It’s very difficult to restore a poor or mixed-species lawn into a perfect one without starting fresh. If you’re aiming for that soft, lush look for your kids, new turf is the best option.

 

You might find these guides helpful: How to lay turf and How to grow grass from lawn seed.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Mitchell