Keep your garden healthy and green! Use these tips to regularly check and maintain your lawn along with removing any unwanted debris such as dead leaves and twigs. By cutting back any areas that create excess shade, this will help keep your lawn looking strong and healthy!
REMOVE WEEDS, THATCH AND MOSS
Weeds, thatch and moss prevent growth by blocking air and nutrients from the roots. When it comes to weeds, the best way to remove them is to pull out the whole weed, including its roots. Thatch can be removed by raking and removing the mulch from your lawn – this process is called carification. To eliminate Moss from your garden you must first identify the issue which is causing the moss and reduces the issues – for example it could be that the ground is damp and shady. Therefore you will need to improve the rainage and remove obstructions causing shade, enabling you to improve the effected area.
IMPROVE DRAINAGE
High levels of clay in the soil, thick areas of thatch, soil compaction and layers of roots can all contribute to prevention of water absorption. The solution is to change the nature of your soil, which can assist in getting the desired drainage levels. This can be done by gradually adjusting the soil with organic materials.
AERATE
This process allows better penetration of air and water to the root zone of the grass, which is essential for gaining the right nutrients to grow. Aeration is performed by creating small holes in the soil at certain lengths and depths, and can be done using a lawn aerator or garden fork.
OVER-SEEDING
Over-seeding rejuvenates tired and worn out lawns by covering the entire space with large quantities of seed mixed with fertiliser. This fills in damaged and thinning areas, whilst improving the colour and reducing the chances of weeds & moss. Once seeded the lawn will need to be kept moist to encourage germination and a top dressing will need to be added to protect the seeds and provide nourishment. This can be performed annually to maintain a healthy lawn.
MOWING AND EDGING
When mowing your lawn it is best to only remove one third of the grasses length. How often you need to mow will depend on the time of year and current weather conditions. Avoid mowing when the soil or grass are wet as this can cause damage to the lawn and prevent healthy growth in the future. It is recommended to trim your edging and borders with a half moon edging tool or edging shears.
FEEDING AND WATERING
There are many kinds of grass feed and fertiliser readily available, however choosing a specific one depends on the existing condition and weather in the area. Many products will come with recommended instructions for application and after care. It is commonly advised to treat your lawn twice a year or as and when is required to treat patches if you have certain problem areas. Along with feeding it is essential to water your lawn, otherwise your lawn may start to loose colour and become flat. Make sure that you are watering your garden according to weather conditions so that you do not over-water. The best time to water is at the beginning of the day due to cooler temperatures.
TOP DRESSING
This is used to build up and improve the quality of the existing soil, providing additional drought resistance and drainage, whilst evening out any imperfections. However your garden will need to be checked in order to get the correct materials and consistency when creating your top dressing.
Find a range of tools in our Garden Care department to help assist you in caring for your lawn. Please speak to a member of staff for more information.
