The
essential tasks: The immediate effect of the essential tasks such as
mowing, watering, feeding and weeding is to keep the lawn looking
attractive, but there is also a vital long-term effect. The vigour of
the desirable grasses is maintained and increased so that unwelcome
invaders such as weeds, moss and some diseases find it harder to gain a
foothold.
Mow
regularly: The number one essential task is correct
mowing. This means
beginning and ending at the proper time with the blades set at the
correct height. Blades must be sharp and properly set.
Water before
the lawn turns brown: The first effect of drought is a
loss of
springiness and a general dullness of the turf. Look for these signs
after about 7 days of dry weather during the summer. Water copiously; a
light sprinkling every day can do more harm than good.
Trim the
edges: A lawn with overgrown grass at the edges can be an
eyesore. Make
sure the mower can reach right up to the edge then trim around the
edges. Make sure edging tools are sharp.
Feed
with nitrogen-rich fertiliser in spring or early summer:
The constant cropping of the grass foliage is a serious drain on the
nutrient reserves in the soil, so a routine feed is essential at the
early part of the growing season.
Rake during
the spring and again in the autumn:
Raking the lawn witha spring-tine rake has several benefits. The
build-up of thatch is prevented and surface debris is removed. The
removal of fallen leaves in autumn is essential - never leave them on
the lawn surface over winter. Raking up creeping stems of weeds before
mowing helps with their control.
Remove wormcasts when they appear:
Worm casts should never be ignored. When squashed underfoot
the surface is rendered uneven and the bare earth makes an ideal seed
bed for weeds. When casts appear scatter them with a besom or stiff
broom before mowing and removing the clippings using a grass box. Using
Lawn Sand helps control worms.
Kill weeds
and moss when they appear:
Don't wait until the problem gets out of hand. Occasional weeds can be
pulled out - occasional patches of moss indicate that the growing
conditions have to be improved. Apply a weedkiller or moss killer
promptly as soon as there is an obvious invasion.
Aerate the
lawn:
The lawn is aerated by driving a fork or other spiked instrument at
intervals so as to releive compaction - drainage is improved and new
growth is stimulated. Aerate at least once a year if the ground is
badly compacted and moss is present.
Top dress the
lawn:
Top dressing is the application of a bulky mixture, usually made up of
peat, loam and sand. This dressing should be ap[plied every autumn, and
it is an essential technique if you want a really first rate lawn. The
vigour of the grass is improved and minor hollows are removed.
Feed with a
balanced fertiliser in autumn:
Autumn feeding to build up the root system and increase disease
resistance is a useful procedure. Ensure that you choose a treatment
that is intended for autumn use.
