Five myths when it comes to lawn care
A great lawn can often be the pièce de résistance to any home and can ensure that your garden is the talk of the town. However, growing a luscious green lawn can be more challenging than it sounds. So, whether you are new to the gardening scene, or a seasoned professional, you are in luck! David Truby, Managing Director of Greensleeves, gives his advice on the five common myths associated with lawn care so you can grow a brilliant green lawn for summer.
Myth 1: Cutting your lawn short works wonders
Perhaps the most common misconception about mowing your lawn is that cutting the grass short means that you can leave it for longer – or don’t need to cut it so often. But what you might not realise is that cutting it too short is damaging.
The problem is that this kind of mowing puts an enormous amount of stress on the turf. Each blade of grass is a leaf, and with less leaf area, each grass plant has less surface area to provide the photosynthesis that fuels leaf and root development. The solution is straightforward. Mow the lawn as high as possible—as high as you can comfortably tolerate. Most homeowners find that two to two-and-a-half inches is a good height, though it may take some time to become acclimated to a length that feels slightly shaggy. Mowing the lawn to this height once a week (or less during heat and drought stress) will ease the pressure to the plants and result in an overall healthier lawn.
Myth 2: It’s only grass– your lawn can look after itself!
Contrary to popular opinion, a lawn struggles to look after itself. There are a range of essential treatments for your grass to make your neighbours green with envy this summer. Some of the treatments required for your lawn to look its very best, including watering, mowing, fertilising, fighting weeds, fighting pests and disease, aerating or de-thatching your lawn. All of these play a significant role in maintaining a healthy lawn. So, whether you rely on do-it-yourself lawn treatments or hire professionals, it is important that your grass gets what it needs to thrive during the optimal time frames of each season.
Myth 3: Treating moss is a one-time thing
In the UK, there are over 600 species of moss, all of which are highly resilient, adaptable and non-flowering. If left untreated, this moss will spread over your lawn, diminishing the grass growth and eventually suffocating the grass entirely. However, many people think just one treatment can help solve this issue. This is a myth.
A neglected lawn can lead to moss invasion. Regular maintenance practices such as scarifying and aeration can prevent moss and ensure your lawn remains strong, healthy, and maintains a lush and green appearance. Because moss is a highly adaptable, resilient plant that flourishes in areas of shade, moisture and poor turf quality, it is essential to identify what is causing it to thrive and reduce the likelihood of it returning.
Myth 4: It doesn’t matter when you water your lawn
While watering your grass may sound simple, it is easier said than done. However, the way you do it (especially during a drought) can have a considerable impact on the health of your lawn. In fact, watering your lawn in the early morning is the most valuable time for your garden. This allows the grass to absorb the required amount of water and enables the sun to cause the excess to evaporate. Watering at midday when the sun is at its hottest will cause water to evaporate quickly, without reaching the grassroots. Also, when you water your lawn in the evening, you stimulate fungal development, which can damage your grass.
Myth 5: Overseeding is bad for your lawn
When you hear the phrase ‘overseeding’, it is understandable that you may associate the word with something negative. However, overseeding is actually a natural way to thicken your lawn and crowd out undesirable weeds. It is one of the most critical tasks involved in growing a healthy, lush lawn. Lawns that have not been overseeded will grow thin and unhealthy, making it much easier for weeds to overtake the lawn.
The most common reason to carry out overseeding is to repair visible damage such as bare patches of earth caused by wildlife, mower damage or wear. Overseeding is also an important component of annual lawn care as it increases your lawn’s resistance to disease and reduces moss growth. Lawns that are regularly reseeded become progressively thicker and more luscious. Many varieties of grass reproduce at a slower rate after several years; by adding new grass plants to the turf, overseeding increases your lawn’s virility.
Finally, if you do not have the time, or know how to care for your lawn, a lawn care expert will be able to identify exactly what your lawn needs. So, once they have determined any problems, they will be able to bring your lawn back to its usual green, healthy state with lawn treatments and care.
For further information about Greensleeves and how they can help you with your lawn care, visit https://www.greensleeves-uk.com/