Serious Lawn Problem

[horseshoes]

I use the term "lawn" loosely as it has become a buttercup infested mess. I have to admit it's never been that good - it has moss, daisies and clover and a few buttercups but this last year it has become a real mess, and is now also waterlogged and squelchy! We have neglected it and not fed or weeded it so serves us right really, but what's the best thing to do next? Is a regular weed and feed going to be enough? Should I hire a rotivator and dig it all up and either reseed or lay turf? I don't know what to do for the best. We are surrounded by farm fields which have clover and buttercups etc. Please advise. Thank you.

[bookbinder]

Dig it up and start again, but get some specialist advice first, so that you don't start off on the wrong foot. Trying to sort that lot out with weed and feed will take ages, and will waste money.

[woofgang]

it sounds like you need to look at your drainage first.

[dustypuss]

HTH

http://www.lovethegarden.com/lawncare/

[horseshoes]

Thanks all three of you. Woof, I'm amost certain that a lot of the problem will be from the buttercup runners clogging the soil - it's not normally like that; plus it's been exceptionally rainy. But certainly I'd get it looked at. I'd hate to get it all done and then run into the same problem further down the line.

[Chipchopper]

If the area is still waterlogged, it's probably a good idea to keep off of it and just let it drain away naturally in it's own sweet time, otherwise you could end up compacting it and making it worse!
Take a fresh once things have dried out and maybe consider, that a few wild flowers in your country garden aint such a bad thing after all

[horseshoes]

Thanks chipchopper. I am indeed staying off it! It's still soggy. I don't remember such wet weather in the 15 years we've lived here. We'll review it in the spring. I honestly don't mind a FEW wild flowers but it really is beyond. They seem to have invaded VERY suddenly. Perhaps they're triffids!