Nirvana

Hi Nirvana,

When are you planning to move? I ask because I'm planning to move the opposite direction (at a date yet to be determined).

Just over a week ago I sent an email to Chiang Mai Removals asking for a quote to collect my stuff from Samui and bring it to Chiang Mai. Despite their website boldly proclaiming that "We won't let you down" and stating that they will get back to us in 24 hours, I have still had no reply - maybe it just wasn't worth it to them...

However, if our dates match up, it may be that we could find a company that will take the job...

i have to cut my lawn once each week. i do make sure it gets watered at least every two or three days though because there isn't any topsoil to speak of. follow the general guidelines, raise the mower blade to its highest location, don't cut more than a third of the blade of grass etc.

if i was in the states i would give my lawn a real soaking very early in the morning but with no topsoil here, all that would do is exacerbate the problem. ten or fifteen minutes with a hose in the evening is enough. once each month i leave the bag off of the mower and cut very slowly so that the mower blade has a few extra chances to chop up leaves and grass which are then left on the lawn for improving the soil, since as jimmy mentioned ^^ there aren't any mulching blades around. if possible, i will do this "mulching" cut when i know it is going to rain soon.

i've got an awesome lawn to show for it, if i do say so myself haha. feels great to walk around my lawn barefoot, and it also makes for a great place for all of my kids to play soccer/badminton and just chase each other around.

Nirvana, on 2012-01-18 11:20:30, said:

Hi Nirvana,

Good question....

I think you have realized part of the problem, in it not being cut, as that would help. Frequency of cutting can depend on weather, (amount of rain etc) ....  I would say I cut mine about five times a year... closer together when rainy season here...

Part of the problem could also depend on the soil below, if very sandy, it's not going to be as strong if the soil has a but of "fibre" to it...  If it is sandy it could help to top dress with some bags of the soil they sell here and rake it over evenly and then water it in.... perhaps 1/2" thick... more if very sandy...

If your bare patches are large and you want to fill in quickly, you could do two ways....

1. Dig out some plugs from the better areas .... and water in, fill in those holes with some soil!!!! and then keep moist for a week or two... (just sprinkle enough to damp down, a few times a day....  especially if it hot and dry...or windy ....)

2. Buy a piece or two of new grass (same type) from nursery, and then make the plugs... or just use a few pieces of turf if gaps large enough... but do as above and keep moist (not soaking wet!!!)

When I did my lawn  I made about 5-6" plugs and planted about 9" apart in a staggered pattern. It filled in with a month or so...  

You could add some 8 24 24 fertilizer (yellow colour prills) ...as a boost to start....  but quite honestly I don't think necessary to fertilize grass here.... just means you will have to cut it more often! ....

It seems to stay green enough usually, it might brown out in the really hot season, a little.... but seems to come back.. only watering when it's hot a dry until it is established ....  I think depends on whether you have a good water supply....

This would apply to both types of grass they use here....

Hope that helps!