Head gardener of Stockton Bury Tamsin Westhorpe explains ten simple tips that will help you care for your lawn
Throughout the centuries lawns have often been thought of as a status symbol. In the past, only the wealthy could give up garden space for such an unproductive luxury. However, today with many of us living in built up areas we yearn for a quick to grow surface that offers us the opportunity to play and relax in our gardens.
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Lawns are a cost-effective way of creating a multifunctional space and they reduce the need to instal impermeable surfaces such as concrete and paving. Laying a lawn is by far the cheapest way to create a garden and over the years it can easily be reshaped, enlarged or reduced.
With our changing climate lawns cool the atmosphere and play their part in reducing flooding. They are also heaven to walk on bare foot and the perfect playground for our children and pets.
There are several different types of lawns – the lawn with stripes, the rough and tumble family lawn or the relaxed long lawn. Each requires a slightly different maintenance regime – how you choose to keep your lawn depends on time, energy and expectation.
How to care for your lawn
Establishing an instant lawn from turf
The best time to lay turf is in autumn but it can be laid any time until spring. It is important to avoid laying in very wet or frosty weather. Before turfing prepare the ground by removing weeds and stones. Turn the top 20cm of soil and improve it by adding topsoil if the ground is poor. A heavy clay soil may benefit from the addition of gravel. Level the site and firm using a roller, then rake over before laying the turf. Applying a pre-turfing feed will help establishment. Try and stay off the turf until it shows signs of growth. Water if dry and remove fallen autumn leaves.
Establishing seed sown lawns
There are many different seed mixes available so research what is right for you. Are you creating a lawn in shade? Do you want a hardwearing lawn? Or, are you planning a luxury bowling green? Grass germinates when temperatures are between 8-10 degrees and the soil is moist. Prepare your lawn as you would do for turf (see above) and sow in either spring or autumn. Once sown, lightly rake over. Protect the seed from birds by using bird tape and water every few days if rain isn’t forecast.
How to care for a new lawn
Grass seed takes about a fortnight to germinate. When the grass is approximately 5cm tall, firm the soil again with a light roller. If your seed was sown in spring, cut with mower blades set high. Autumn sown lawns can be left uncut until the following spring. Weed out perennial weeds by hand. Turfed lawns can be cut when they show obvious signs of growth but avoid cutting with the blades too low.
Spring lawn maintenance
In spring make your first cut with blades set high. Regular cutting with help to keep weeds at bay. If you are planning a ‘wild look’ then you can avoid cutting until July or August (however you will need a strimmer or scythe by then!). Feeding your lawn in spring isn’t essential but if it is struggling feed in late March or April. Apply a specific feed for spring.
Watering lawns in the summer
In hot, dry weather lawns will go brown in places but they will recover. Unless a lawn is new there is no need to water.
Avoid wasting precious mains water on your lawn and only use stored or grey water. Watering your lawn is rightly frowned upon by many. Water in the evening or early morning if you must. Cut back on mowing during periods of drought.
Weed control in lawns
Most gardeners welcome the addition of lawn daisies or clover in their lawn. Regular mowing is the best way to keep weeds at bay. However, some weeds are admired for their flowers and if unmown your lawn can quickly become a haven for pollinators. With smaller lawns hand weeding is the best option. By overseeding with grass seed a strong lawn is encouraged and weeds can be pushed out.
Coping with moss in your lawn
Moss can be an issue if the lawn is poorly drained or shaded with trees and shrubs. Cutting back branches that overhang the lawn will help greatly. Treat moss in autumn with Lawn Sand. Apply this about three weeks before you scarify. If moss isn’t that much of an issue simply scarify.
Scarifying your lawn in autumn
After a summer of heavy use lawns deserve a little bit of love. Scarification (the removal of moss and dead grass) will improve lawn health. Small lawns can be scarified by using a spring tine rake but for larger lawns hire or buy a scarifier. The moss and dead grass removed can be added to the compost heap. Lawns may look a little bare after aerating but they will quickly recover.
Aeration and overseeding your lawn
To improve drainage aerate in autumn. Small lawns can be aerated using a garden fork by pushing into the lawn about 10cm deep every 20cm or so. For larger lawns hire or buy an aerator. Choose a hollow tine aerator which will take out plugs of soil if lawns are on heavy clay. Once aerated invest in ready-made topdressing or mix at home (topsoil, sharp sand and homemade compost). Evenly scatter over the lawn and brush into the lawn with a besom brush.
Bare patches (high traffic areas) of lawn can be overseeded after aeration. Overseeding is a great way of repairing worn areas of lawn or generally improving a whole lawn. Vigorously scratch the surface of the lawn with a rake before overseeding, spread the seed and tread or roll. Stay off the area until grass shows signs of strong growth and water in dry weather.
Mowing your lawn
Choose a mower that suits your lawn. Rotary mowers are ideal for a hardwearing lawn; cylinder mowers will give you stripes, and hover mowers are ideal for uneven surfaces and steep slopes. Adjust your height of cut through the season. Start on a high blade setting and gradually lower. Mow in a different direction each cut and avoid cutting wet or frosty grass.
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