Lawn Maintenance

Lawn care can be a chore if its condition is allowed to deteriorate too much. However, by carrying out simple jobs like tidying edges, the appearance of the lawn will begin to improve. Then by using the lawn mower to best effect and employing a few techniques for the regular tasks, the lawn will gradually improve with minimal effort.

Gardening Techniques

Compaction of the soil through frequent use in the same area prevents grass from growing and creates unsightly bare patches of soil. Aeration is the solution, plus using grit on clay soils to help break the clay down. Clay which is lying near the surface is often a part of the issue, preventing drainage and being too hard for grass roots to penetrate. Liquid seaweed, usually purchased in the form of a diluted seaweed extract, is a useful organic form of fertilizer which can be applied to lawns to good effect, especially during early summer.

If bare patches of soil do occur, one potential alternative to re-seeding or turfing, is to retain any edges or strips of lawn that have been previously trimmed. These can have been grown on in a tray, then they can be fitted in, firmed and watered to cover the bare patches. The problem may recur, so that over-seeding the patches provides a more permanent solution. Over-seeding is best done in spring or autumn.

In terms of grass seed used to seed a new lawn or repair or overseed an existing one, a mixture of tougher grasses, which can include poorer varieties, will be suitable for general-purpose lawns. The same type of seed mixture can be used to overseed the lawn on an ongoing basis. This will be suitable for most purposes when coupled with a fairly standard programme of feeding, repairing any problems and using the mower sensibly through the year. It will also be much less expensive than investing in a quality of seed that may not serve the general purpose any better and will still require the normal types of maintenance tasks.

The best way to remove bumps in the lawn is by levelling it. The most effective way is to cut a cross into the bump or hollow and then either remove or add soil. Firming the apex of each corner of the grass created by the cross-shaped cut will accomplish the required effect.

Weeds

Weeding is one of the most irritating chores for gardeners, but even in the most well-tended lawns, weeds will appear at times. They are best dealt with as soon as they appear if possible. Large-leaved weeds such as dandelions are best dealt with by digging out, as they can be relatively deep-rooted but are also localised to the one spot if caught early enough.

Stinging nettles are another annoying perennial weed but they can be recycled in a number of ways. Buttercups and similar weeds such as clover are highly invasive in lawns and raking prior to mowing can help lift them into the reach of the lawn mower at times during the year. Mowing will remove some weeds, but in many cases, weedkiller will eventually be required unless the weeds were dealt with at their first appearance. If weedkiller has to be applied, adding some dye to it so that overdosing is avoided is a useful practical hint.

Lawn Tools

Most experienced practical gardeners and handymen will offer the wise advice of buying better quality tools and looking after them. Lawn tools are a prime example. Cleaning and servicing lawn mowers regularly and cleaning every shovel, garden fork, trowel or set of shears after each use will prolong their life considerably so that they remain usable for many years. Attachments to hoses and watering cans to make feeding lawns possible are often a worthwhile investment, saving time and creating a more even spread of feed onto the grass.

Using Seasons to Advantage

Lawn care can be approached on a seasonal basis to take best advantage of the normal growth rate of grass through the year. Adjusting the height of the blades of a mower through the year is good practice. The overall level of cut will be dependent on the type of grass used.

For example, a coarse type of grass lawn will usually be set around two inches above the surface, while a finer grass will work best at around a half an inch. A good rule of thumb when mowing is not to remove more than a third of the length of the grass in each cut to reduce damage to the rooting system.