Lawns Advice with Q & A.
Your problem solver throughout the Four Seasons.
LAWN CARE A BASIC GUIDE
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LAWN CARE
SPRING ------------
If the weather is mild the grass will soon be on the way, so it is best now to check over your lawn mower for defects before you begin. Check for blade wear, oil bearings and on electric mowers check the cables for damage.
Remember when working on your mower, always remove the spark plug lead on petrol (gas) mowers and always unplug electric mowers and other garden tools.
If taking an early cut on your lawn it is best to use a rotary mower, set the blades fairly high to avoid pulling the grass out by the roots. This type of damage is more prone to happen with a cylinder mower.
SUMMER -------------
At this time of year lawns take heavy punishment, and a little time spent on maintenance will pay big dividends. If there is any moss in the lawn this can be removed with a lawn rake, also pull out any perennial weeds. Then apply any of the proprietary brands of lawn fertiliser; carefully follow the directions on the box with regard to application. This will then give you a lawn to be proud of right into the autumn.
AUTUMN ------------
Should your lawn be in a sad state of repair, now is the time to repair with turf, at this time of year when turf is laid it stays moist and the grass roots can grow into the underlying soil. Turf can be laid at any time of year, but in summer the turf can dry out and then the grass dies off in patches,
as often seen on new housing estates.
When laying turf always prepare your ground in advance, then when the turf arrives it can be laid immediately. Laying turf is not the easiest of jobs and if a large job is contemplated employing a professional should not be ruled out.
If you do wish to do it yourself, there are many exellent publications available, dealing with the subject in greater depth.
It pays to feed your lawn in Autumn with a high potash, high phosphate, low nitrogen fertiliser. This mixture promotes root growth, but without leaf growth, due to the low nitrogen content.
Some recent questions and answers ------------
Q. Why is it that our lawn seems to take such a beating from our two dogs compared to our neighbours? The yellow spots seem to be almost impossible to keep up with this year. I had the gardener turn the soil over in the worst (1 ft diameter) spots, throwing some seed and top soil on to try and stimulate growth. However, it does not seem to be growing back very rapidly. Are there any other tricks of the trade to consistently combat this problem -and - when it does occur, what's the best way to heal the spots and regrow the grass?
Many thanks in advance for your response.
A. Lawn troubles. I would say that your lawn is infested with SOD WEBWORMS or white grubs, both are moth caterpillars, the parent moths can be seen fluttering about when you mow the lawn. There are control products widely available, read the label on the pack for application. If your lawn is a utility area and not grown for beauty of the grass have you considered laying Astro Turf, plastic grass.
Q. I have a question regarding my grass.
Around the area where we keep our pool (small pool 15'x4' that we take down during the winter) there are holes in the ground that are about the size of a pencil. They look like plugs of grass and dirt have just been taken out of the ground. These holes were not there when we took the pool down last autumn, I have just recently noticed them. I was hoping that I could get some insight from you, and maybe get a solution to the problem.
Thank you in advance.
A.
The holes you refer to are most likely caused by birds digging out white grubs, the larvae of JAPANESE BEETLES, White grubs are a pest in lawns so best dug out.
Valecroft
Q.
My female dog leaves brown spots on my new lawn. Is there a remedy for this?
Thanks,
Chris
A. Soapy water applied immediately will wash some of the offending liquid away and minimise the damage.
Make a private sand hole for your dog to use instead of the lawn. There are products on the market to repel dogs but they wash off in the rain.
Valecroft.
Q.
Good afternoon, I am eager to straighten out the dips and depressions in my lawn. The way I am doing it is to slightly break up the ground where there is a depression in the lawn, and put down earth to level the area. Should I simply wait for the grass to grow up through the new earth, or should I also sow some seed, and if so, should I sow now or wait till the spring? Most grass seed suppliers seem to recommend sowing in March.
Thanks in advance,
Steve.
A.
The usual practice is to spread a thin layer of SHARP sand on the grass in the depression, allowing the grass to grow through, then applying more layers until level with the rest of the lawn. If the depressions are very deep, carefully cut and lift the turf, add soil or sand until level and replace the turf. Always work in dry conditions, if sowing any seed wait until late April.
Sowing Grass Seed ----------------
Sowing grass seeds.
There is of course no control over the weather; you have to sow when conditions are right, sowing when it's too dry the seeds may fail to germinate or if too wet the seeds may rot away. So it is best to prepare your soil in advance, dig the land over early in the year,
this action aerates the soil, then when sowing time comes a light digging over with a fork will quickly dry out the soil and you can have a seed bed ready in a very short time.
When sowing your grass seed the soil needs to be warm and moist, just damp enough to stick to your fingers but not so wet that you can make mud pies out of it. It always pays to wait until conditions are right even if it means delaying sowing until a few days later. Seeds sown later in perfect conditions will soon overtake seed sown early in inclement conditions.
Rake the ground thoroughly, breaking up any large lumps of soil until a fine tilth is produced. Then scatter the seeds evenly over the area, after which you gently rake the seeds into the soil until they sink below the surface. Then firmly flatten down the soil with a flat spade.
There are various mechanical sowers available for the sowing of lawn seed. Choice of these depends on the size of your sowing area, many can be hired.
After any seed sowing beware of birds, they sit and watch you sow the seeds, then swoop down for a free meal as soon as you leave the garden. So it is wise to cover the area with bird netting for a few days, or a light dressing of hydrated lime should keep them off for that early crucial period.
Mice can also be a problem.
Lawn Tips ----------------
Mowers. ----------------
Always treat your mowers with respect, they can be very dangerous. New mowers nowadays are fitted with various safety features for your protection; do not disable these safety features. We find that some people do.
When buying a new mower do not underestimate the demands you will be making on the machine. It is always better too spend a little more on a slightly bigger machine, rather than one which is not up too the job in hand. Most new machines have a guide to their performance envelope.
If considering buying used ride-on mowers and larger self-propelled and tractor mowers; have the machine checked over by an expert.
We find that people who buy these larger mowers, rarely, if ever, do any maintenance on the machine. Oil in the engine and gearbox needs too be changed on a regular basis. Also air filters and belts need too be checked.
Fertilisers. ----------------
There are fertilisers on the market specifically tailored too the demands of your lawn. In Spring you need a high nitrogen, low potash, low phosphate, mixture too encourage leaf growth, in Summer you need a medium nitrogen, medium potash, medium phosphate mix, so as not too encourage too lush a growth and in Autumn you need a low nitrogen, high potash, high phosphate, mix, too encourage root growth for next year.
Watering. ----------------
Water only when necessary, do not make your grass too dependant on artificial watering, due to work pressures etc, you may not always be around too tend over-pampered grass. Mechanical sprayers rarely lay the water in an even pattern, so watch for flooding in certain areas and minimal dosage in others.
Seed selection. ----------------
If sowing a new lawn, before purchasing the seed consider what demands you will make on that patch of grass. Are there children who will wish too play on the grass? Do you want the traditional striped lawn as featured in the up market magazines? Do you just want a low maintenance background to you flower display?
Although you may think, grass is grass; there is an amazing difference in the properties and strengths of the various varieties of grasses used in a lawn seed mixture.
All the major seed houses offer a wide range of grass seed mixtures, specifically tailored to suit the various demands made of the grass surface. Tell the seedsman exactly what you require and he will find you a mixture to suit your specifications.
Laying Turf. ----------------
Best left to the expert, however time spent on preparation of the site before laying the turf is the vital element of a successful turf laying session. But whether you employ someone, or do it yourself, it is vital to water, but not over water, the turf, on a regular basis until the roots are firmly established.
Remember, turf grass today is grown to suit various demands and with a reputable supplier you can specify your requirements as with grass seed.
Valecroft.
Useful Outside Links.
LAWNSEED.COM. USA
SEEDLAND LAWN GRASSES. USA
BRITISH SEED HOUSES LAWN SHOP
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