How to keep your lawn in tip-top shape all year round
In the UK our gardens are the pride of our homes, and taking care of the lawn can sometimes be a challenge, but with our annual lawn care guide you can spend an hour or so a week to help maintain an amazing lawn area that you and your family and friends can enjoy any time of the year.
Basic Lawn Care
There are a few practices that you can undertake on a regular basis to help you to maintain a well presented and maintained lawn. By keeping on top of these simple tasks, your lawn will look fresh all year round.
Mowing
During the growing season you will need to mow your lawn at least once a week. The time of year that you are cutting your grass will determine the length that you should be cutting it. During the summer months, the grass should be kept longer to avoid drought stress and then lower in spring and autumn to keep it looking cleaner and well maintained.
Watering
Keeping your lawn hydrated is paramount during summertime or any time of the year when there is less rain. Watering your lawn in the mornings is the best time to water, this minimises evaporation from the lawn and keeps your lawn fed.
Fertiliser
As any gardener knows, plants need to be fed as well as watered to keep them in the best possible condition, During the spring and autumn months you should use a well-balanced fertiliser to help promote growth as well as strengthening the roots. You will need to make sure that you follow the instructions for the fertiliser you are using as over feeding can cause increased chance of disease.
Winter Lawn Care
Winter is the harshest time of year for your lawn as it needs to withstand colder temperatures and be healthy enough to emerge in the spring. You can follow the tips below to prepare your lawn for winter:
Autumn Preparation
before the winter months, make sur that your lawn is free of debris including fallen leaves and excess soil. Improve drainage by aerating the soil and use a winter specific fertiliser to strengthen the roots
Winter Maintenance
If possible, try to avoid walking on the lawn when it is frozen, as this can damage the blades of grass and if any snow starts to accumulate, gently brush it off, this will help to prevent mould and mildew.
Recovery in Spring
When you start coming into the spring months, gently rake your lawn to remove any dead grass and debris that has built up over winter. If there are any bare patches in the lawn over seed the area and then fertilise, this will encourage new growth.
Lawn Care Calendar
Below is a lawn care calendar list, that will help you to keep your lawn in the best possible condition even in the worst of weather conditions:
January - February
Keep off frozen or waterlogged lawns to prevent damage.
Clean and service lawn care equipment.
March - April
Start mowing with a high blade setting.
Apply a balanced fertiliser.
Oversee bare patches.
May - June
Mow regularly, gradually lowering the blade.
Water during dry spells.
Apply a weed killer if necessary.
July - August
Continue regular mowing.
Water deeply and consistently.
Aerate compacted areas.
September - October
Raise mower height.
Apply an autumn fertiliser.
Scarify to remove thatch.
November - December
Clear fallen leaves and debris.
Mow if needed on a dry day.
Regular Monitoring
There are so many issues to be on the look-out for that can cause damage to your lawn, so you need to be vigilant to try and catch these issues as early as possible to allow you to apply a treatment as soon as possible.
Keep an eye on your lawn for signs of disease, pests, or nutrient deficiencies. Early detection and treatment can prevent any significant problems if the issues go untreated.