“Your lawn needs more than just mowing !”
To maintain a healthy and attractive lawn takes more than just a quick mow every couple of weeks.
It’s a year round task, with the bulk of activity being in the spring & early summer months when it should be lightly trimmed once or twice a week !
Below we have compiled a month by month guide to help you maintain a lawn that you can be proud of.
JANUARY
- Try to keep off the grass if it is frozen or waterlogged.
- If the weather permits, aerate the surface with a solid or hollow tine spiking machine or garden fork.
- Keep the surface free of leaves, twigs and other debris.
FEBRUARY
- Again try and keep off the grass if it is frozen or waterlogged.
- If not done in January and if the weather permits, aerate the lawn.
- Keep surface free of leaves, twigs and other debris.
- If the surface is dry, brush away worm casts.
- If the weather is mild, you can even cut the grass with the mower blades set high.
MARCH
- Rake the grass thoroughly to remove any debris and leaves.
- If the surface is dry, brush away worm casts.
- Keep the mower blades high and just ‘top’ the grass, always using a grass box.
- Reduce the cutting height slightly for the second cut.
- Apply a light to medium weight roller. Within 2 or 3 days of the first cut, apply a spring lawn fertiliser. REMEMBER to water this in if there is no rain within 3 or 4 days of applying the feed.
APRIL
- ( Apply spring fertilisers if not done in March and REMEMBER to water in if there is no rain after 3 or 4 days. )
- Apply a selective broadleaf weed killer ( and moss killer if required).
- Increase the frequency of mowing to ideally weekly and then twice-weekly towards the end of the month.
- Always use a grass box to remove clippings. You can gradually lower the cutting height
- Scarify the lawn to remove dead grass, moss and thatch. If a large amount of debris is removed, it may be worth going over the area again 2 or 3 weeks later.
- Re-seed sparse areas with a fine grass mixture and lightly cover with a good top-dressing. Roll the area if the weather permits.
MAY
- Keep the mowing frequency to twice weekly and aim to be at your optimum cutting height by the end of the month.
- Apply a fertilizer if required. REMEMBER to water in if there is no rain after 3 or 4 days.
- Water the grass if necessary but avoid excessive watering.
- Keep the lawn free of debris and apply weed killer if required.
- If not too dry, roll out any unevenness and bumps in surface.
JULY and AUGUST
- Continue to mow frequently BUT try not to ‘crop’ the grass.
- Water during drought conditions, but do not overwater.
- Fill any cracks with a mixture of horticultural sand and top-soil.
- Lightly spike the ground if compacted.
- Apply a summer fertilizer BUT remember to water in if there is no rain for 2 or 3 days afterwards.
SEPTEMBER
- Decrease the frequency of mowing.
- Raise mower blades gradually to allow the grass to thicken and protect the roots from winter frost and snow.
- Lightly scarify the area. Hollow tine spike the lawn if it is compacted
- If required apply a top-dressing of horticultural sand or horticultural sand/loam mix.
- In worn areas, apply a mix of grass seed and top-dressing and try to keep moist.
- Apply an autumn fertilizer dressing but avoid applying it to newly sown seeded areas.
OCTOBER
- Regular mowing can be reduced throughout this month. Remember to raise gradually the cutting height.
- Keep the lawn free of debris and leaves.
- Towards the end of this month is an ideal time to lay turf.
NOVEMBER
- If dry, use a stiff broom to remove worm casts from the grass.
- If dry mow if necessary, but with the blades set to their highest levels.
- Treat fungicide.
- Keep the lawn free of leaves and other debris.
- This is the last month to apply any winter dressings.
DECEMBER
- Keep off the lawn if wet or frosty weather is around.
- Keep the lawn free of leaves and other debris.