Its back to that time of year again where the Lawn never stops growing and you have endless trips to the garden centre to get planting ready for the year ahead. To help with the preparation we have teamed up with our local specialist, Lawnscience to provide top tips for how to prepare your lawn this spring!
How to Mow your Lawn:
To maintain a quality healthy lawn, it is essential to mow correctly and on a regular basis. The first thing to remember is the blade of the lawnmower does the work. It is advisable to have the blade sharpened at least every year and, if possible, twice a year. Mowing with a dull blade will “rip” the grass and this will cause the tips of the grass to bruise and turn brown, giving the lawn a brownish tinge.
The mowing season normally starts in March. It is important not to cut too much off the grass at this time. Try to remove no more than one quarter to one third of the grass length initially, otherwise the grass will become stressed. A little and often approach is better during the early months of the year. In Spring, you should be mowing to a height of at least one and a half inches on normal domestic lawns. As we move into Summer and the temperatures increase, the growth of your lawn will slow down. Mow as needed but again be careful not to remove more than one third of the grass leaf at any time. If temperatures become very high, it may be necessary to reduce the frequency of mowing. During the Summer months you should be mowing to a height of two inches on normal domestic lawns.
How to Water Your Lawn:
Lawns are living plants consisting of over 85% water; therefore, they need water to survive. For the majority of the year, they will receive sufficient water from the soil and rain, however during dry periods it may be necessary to provide additional water by irrigation. You water your plants and shrubs so why not water your lawn as well? How you water your lawn depends upon the type of soil that you have. Sandy soils are poor at retaining water, so they should be watered little and often. Whereas clay-based soils can hold onto water for longer periods. These soils need to be watered thoroughly and then left to dry for a period. If you water clay soils on a frequent basis this will promote shallow rooting as the roots find the water, they need too easily.
Grazing pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs should be kept off the lawn for a minimum of two weeks or three cuts, whichever occurs latest, to avoid ingestion of applied treatments. Your dog might be your best friend, but it’s not always your lawn’s best friend. Quite often customers ask why straw-coloured patches are appearing on their lawns. The problem can be their best friend, as the damage to the lawn is caused by the urea within the dog’s urine.
For further useful lawn related information
visit The Learning Hub at
www.lawnscience.co.uk/stamford
or use their free informative guide (link below):
http://lawnscience.globe2crm.uk/imageuploads/Lawnscience_Lawn_Guide_2021.pdf
