Taming an overgrown section: where to start

Every overgrown section starts the same way: not with neglect, but with a busy few weeks. Then the grass seeds, the edges vanish, and the job looks so big that it keeps getting put off. The good news is that bringing it back is mostly a matter of working in the right order — and this is work we do every week, so here is exactly how we would attack it.

Start with a walk-around, not the mower. Pick up branches, toys, dog toys, and anything hidden in the long grass that could damage blades. Note where the edges of paths and beds actually are — you will rediscover them later. Then cut the lawn down in stages: first pass high, taking the bulk off, then a second pass lower once you can see what you are doing. Trying to scalp knee-high grass in one go clogs mowers and leaves a ragged, brown finish.

Next, reclaim the borders. Trim back whatever is sprawling across the lawn, pull the obvious weeds from beds and paths while the soil is soft, and redefine the lawn edges. This is the step that delivers the biggest visual payoff — crisp edges make even a roughly-cut lawn look intentional. Finally, deal with the waste: rake up every clipping and load it out. A mountain of cut grass left on the lawn undoes half your good work by smothering the grass beneath.

Be realistic about the day it will take. A badly overgrown quarter-acre section is a full day for one person with the right gear, plus trailer runs for the waste. If that sounds like too much of your weekend, hand it over — overgrown sections are our specialty. Call 027 310 5515, and we will cut it back, finish the edges, pull the weeds and take everything away in one visit.