A beautiful lawn is a treasure to behold. But as any keen gardener knows, treasure is not always easily come by. Proper care and maintenance are an essential part of keeping a lawn, and activities in the spring and summer have the most positive effects.
Feeding and Fertilising
Late March to April is the best time to use an early-year lawn fertiliser. Ensuring your lawn is well nourished will increase grass vitality and keep weeds and moss out before they start. Always follow the recommended rates on the container, and apply between rain spells when soil is moist.
Tackling Moss
Moss is a sign of a damp lawn incorrectly fertilised. If grass loses its strength between May and August, moss will take hold. The only viable solution is to add a fertiliser mixed with soil whenever you see the grass is suffering. Mixing with soil will safeguard against the chemicals scorching the grass and means you aren’t adding more water to the soil, which would exacerbate the problem.
Mowing and Cutting
This is the most obvious point, but one which is so often misunderstood. Lawns grow from beneath. Regular mowing keeps grass healthy and strong. Depending on your lawn, your climate and your terrain, you might want to choose to use ride-on movers, hand propelled petrol lawn mowers or push petrol lawnmowers to get the job done. Remember to adjust your mowing frequency to the rate of growth.
Over-Seeding
Early autumn is the best time to address bare patches, but they can be treated in springtime too. Remove moss and weeds and rake back soil to prepare the ground for seed. Apply the full rate of seed as if you were seeding a new lawn and rake the soil back. Water gently if no rain is expected, and add a colourful windmill or netting to keep off the foraging autumn birds. It’s also worth considering mixing in rye grass if the bare patches are due to footfall. Rye grass will also do well in more shaded areas, like under large tree canopies.
Watering
In the UK, summer watering is not usually necessary, as grass will recover after the first rains. But if you do need to water, remember to wait until dusk to avoid scorching the roots. After this, you can sit back and relax.