Get Your Lawn Ready for Spring

When day time temperatures get to double figures, there is always some minimal grass growth and the garden is waking up with daffodils showing and some out in bloom already. If we get another “beast from the east” cold snap, this will halt growth a little, but spring will be here soon so get prepared. The Green Keepers are already mowing fairways.

Turf grasses in lawns are now growing, so get out this weekend and 'top' the lawn on a high mower setting to tidy it up before the Scotland Vs England Six Nations rugby match starts! The effect of mowing the lawn will not only stimulate additional growth and activity but you will feel a lot better for the exercise and the garden will look so much tidier.

Never take more than 25% off the growth off the lawn otherwise the grass will turn white. All too often we see lawns that have had the living daylights mown out of them - this activity will weaken the grass plants and not benefit the lawn at all, fuelling more moss and weed activity.

After the first mow you will be able to apply your moss control and lawn fertiliser. Then plan to later spray the weeds and fertilise your lawn with a good quality slow release lawn fertiliser.

Here, in no particular order, are some of the errors we see when out and about visiting lawns:

1. Mowing too low, infrequently and always in the same direction

Well, that's a three in one to start! It is important to mow at least weekly in the main growing season and continue to mow throughout the early spring and winter months too if ground conditions permit and the grass is growing, albeit slowly. Why do lawn owners mow their lawns so short too?   Do not remove any more than 25% of the grass growth each time you mow and nothing less than 12mm in height unless you have a super fine lawn like a bowling green. Most grasses are tufted in growth so change the mowing direction each time you mow to keep the grasses growing upright.

2. Over watering

Do not reach for the lawn sprinkler at the first sniff of a drought. Healthy grass is tougher than you think. Weed grasses are not, nor are some weeds. Grasses will naturally go brown, but the grass will not die if the plant is healthy and will soon come back to life when moisture levels improve.

3. Failing to maintain a dense sward and ground cover

Weeds and moss do not make up a lawn, neither do weed grasses. Weeds and moss are indicators that you are neglecting the grasses. Do something about it, unless you want a wild flower meadow of course.

4. Infrequent fertiliser applications

Often, people only feed their lawn once throughout the year.   Fertilise every year from February if the weather is mild. A moss killer and lawn fertiliser application in the early spring, a super slow release summer fertiliser, and selective weed killer once you commence regular weekly mowing. Later, if necessary, a further selective weed killer application to tidy any stray weeds up and finally a second moss killer to retard any autumn/winter moss. Start again in February. Your lawn will love you for it as each time you mow, you remove some nutrients. Although some of this nutrient loss can be mitigated by regular mulch mowing, as is done on golf course etc

5. Non-removal of weeds and moss

You should only have turf grasses in your lawn! Moss and weeds are indicators of poor lawn management. Get rid of the weeds and moss, scarify, feed, over seed and top dress with a loam and/or recycled compost. This will go a long way in restoring a lawn’s surface. Buttercups are known to habit wet areas; Yarrow, dry areas; Plantains and Knotgrass; compacted and worn areas.

6. Blunt mower blade

It’s all about presentation. The rotary mower blade is flying round at around 60 mph so it’s easy to damage the grass too by leaving a ragged tip after the mowing. The grass tip should have been cut straight across without any straggly bits on the end. If you see this, buy a new blade as trying to re sharpen it on a stone or wheel can unbalance the mower.

7. Never over seeding the lawn

Grasses like shrubs and plants, do not live forever. We often see lawns that are 30 years old or older and they have never been re seeded! Always plan to over seed after the removal of weeds, moss or scarification. If you have bare areas, then get some grass seed into these areas before weeds and moss move in first. Young lawns can suffer too, especially new ones, it’s easy to think, it will not require any fertiliser or maintenance apart from mowing. A false economy - protect the investment.

8. Being too reactive with mechanical operations

Lawn care should be a planned operation, a bit like mowing. Always follow the correct sequence of mechanical operations. Mow first, then scarify, then mow again, fertilise and over seed and top dress. Follow this sequence, even if you do not perform all of these.

9. Being unaware of, or slow to, react to pests and disease problems

Lawn diseases are in the main indicative of incorrect mowing or feeding: Red Thread, Fusarium Disease, Dollar Spot, Rust, Leaf Spot, Chafer Beetle Larvae, Leatherjacket Larvae, Wire Worm, Worm Casts.

10. Non-removal of leaves and debris

Dead pine needles, wind-blown debris and leaves etc kill turf grasses. Always keep the surface clean and clear. A lot of debris etc can have a disease introducing and flattening effect.