Lawns
Lawn repair and renovation in Norwich
City Garden Services repairs tired and patchy lawns across Norwich, renovating what can be saved and re-turfing the parts that cannot.
When a lawn needs repairing rather than replacing
Most lawns that look beyond help are not. A lawn usually fails in patches: a bare strip where everyone walks to the shed, yellow circles where the dog goes, a mossy corner under a tree, a dip where an old pond or a soakaway has settled. Lawn repair deals with those problem areas and the reasons behind them, so the rest of the grass is not dug up for no reason.
Lawns are the main trade of James Steven Landscapes & Lawns, the business behind City Garden Services, so we can tell you honestly whether a lawn will come back with renovation or whether part of it is better re-turfed. Renovation suits lawns that are thin, mossy or uneven but still have grass across most of the area. Re-turfing sections suits worn-through patches, deep dips and areas where the soil underneath needs sorting first.
It is a common job in city gardens. Small lawns get heavy use, shade from walls and neighbouring trees encourages moss, and new-build lawns are often laid on a thin layer of topsoil over compacted ground, which drains badly and dries out fast in summer.
Before you book
What to plan before booking
-
Time of year
Seed germinates best in mild, damp weather, so spring and early autumn suit renovation. Turf can go down for much of the year if it can be watered, but not on frozen or waterlogged ground.
-
Watering
New seed and new turf both need regular water while they establish. Check you have an outside tap or a hose long enough to reach the whole lawn.
-
Keeping off it
Repaired areas need a few weeks of light use. If children or dogs use the lawn every day, think about where they will play in the meantime.
-
Why it failed
If the cause stays, the problem comes back. Heavy shade, a path worn by habit, or poor drainage may need a change as well as new grass.
How a lawn repair works
- 1
We look at the lawn
We check the grass, the soil, the drainage and how the lawn is used, and find out what caused the damage.
- 2
We recommend renovation, re-turfing or both
Your free quote explains which areas we would renovate and which we would re-turf, and why.
- 3
We prepare the ground properly
Moss and thatch come out, compacted soil is opened up and low areas are filled and levelled before any seed or turf goes down.
- 4
We seed or turf and leave aftercare notes
New grass goes down, joins are firmed in, and you get clear guidance on watering and the first few cuts.
Worth knowing
Good to know
-
Seeded patches look patchy at first
Fresh seed comes through thin and a lighter green. It thickens and blends in as it is mown over the following weeks.
-
Moss is a symptom
Moss thrives in shade, damp and compacted soil. Raking it out helps, but improving light and drainage is what stops it returning.
-
Dog patches can be reduced
Watering the spot soon after a dog has been dilutes the urine and limits the scorching. Some owners train a dog to use a gravel area instead.
-
New-build lawns often need opening up
Builders' turf is often laid over compacted ground. Relieving compaction and adding good topsoil does more than feeding alone.
Can you repair just part of a lawn?
Yes. We often renovate or re-turf only the damaged areas and leave healthy grass alone, which costs less than a full replacement.
Will new turf match my existing lawn?
New turf is usually greener at first. It blends in as it settles and as the whole lawn is mown and fed the same way.
Should I seed or turf a bare patch?
Seed suits thin areas and gives a closer match over time. Turf suits patches worn right through, or where you need the area back in use sooner.
How soon can I walk on a repaired lawn?
Keep traffic light until new turf has rooted or new seed has had its first few cuts. We will tell you what to expect for your lawn.
Can you fix a lawn with a dip or a bump?
Yes. Shallow dips are top dressed in layers. Deeper hollows are lifted, filled with soil, firmed and re-turfed.
Do I need to do anything before you arrive?
Move furniture, toys and pots off the lawn, and make sure we can get to an outside tap.
Other jobs we can help with
- Fence repairsLeaning posts, split panels and storm damage put right, one panel or one side at a time.
- Patio and paving repairsRocking slabs, sunken blocks and crumbling joints lifted, relaid and made safe underfoot.
- Garden gatesNew timber side gates fitted, and sagging or sticking gates rehung so they close properly.
- Garden clearanceOvergrown gardens cut back and cleared, so you can see what you have and plan what is next.
Want your lawn back?
Send a couple of photos and your postcode and we will arrange a visit and a free quote.