Improving a lawn

[leavy]

Thanks, I am a new user and would like to some help.  I have a very lumpy patchy lawn which is used by  three growing boys.  I would like to prepare it for the Summer and would like some step by step help.
Yvonne
 

[Grassman]

Mow the existing grass very short
Rake the area hard to expose and loosen some soil
Fill any holes or dips with 50% soil, 50% sharp sand mix.
Oversow with a good quality seeds mixture containing dwarf ryegrass and creeping fescue
Lightly rake to mix soil and seed together
At this point it will probably look pretty sad, but don't panic 
Mow on highest setting for 8-10 weeks
Feed well with a good quality multi-purpose fertiliser
Then reduce height on each subsequent cut down to your desired leaf length.
You will then have a good looking, very hard wearing utility lawn.
 

[Big_D]

Thanks for the tip. I'm suffering a similar problem.

Now that the weather has turned and the kids are giving the lawn a break, I'll try that out.