Nature vs nurture: Sowing the seeds for a great lawn all year round
Did you know that if you want a great-looking lawn next year, you must start preparing now? According to David Truby, the MD of Greensleeves, a UK-wide lawn care business with 108 locations across the UK, gardeners have a common misconception that they can take a break from tending to their gardens during the winter months. However, he believes that nurturing your lawn throughout the year is vital if you want the best results.
A lovely green lawn does not just happen by accident. Keeping your lawn in tip-top condition is an all-year-round job. So, here is my guide to keeping your lawn in pristine condition, 12 months of the year:
January:
January is a great time to focus on your lawn renovation after winter. Try to stay off your lawn if the ground is frozen. However, if the weather has been mild, you should remove leaves and debris by lightly raking. Also, stay on the lookout for moss invasions over the winter months. I recommended contacting a lawn care professional if you do notice signs of moss, as winter is when it can thrive and do the most damage.
February:
Now is the time to rake the lawn thoroughly. If the weather has carried on being mild, you can begin to think about aerating and scarifying. I recommend installing water butts in your garden now to catch the rainwater – it will come in handy come summer to keep a thirsty lawn hydrated. Also, give the edges of your lawn some attention by repairing and reshaping them to be ready for the year's first cut.
March:
Your lawn will be coming out of the winter slump and back to life in March. Warmer temperatures will usually mean the grass is starting to grow, so if you have not already, now is an excellent time to give your lawn a cut. Be mindful not to cut it too short though. Simply take the 'top' off. You can lightly rake the lawn first to ensure the grass blades sit upright.
April:
In April, you should be mowing the lawn regularly to keep the grass tidy, healthy and under control. Arrange to overseed any bare patches on your lawn – be mindful that doing this yourself can be very time-consuming and expensive, so if you are an inexperienced gardener, I recommend getting in touch with a lawn care expert to save you a lot of hassle. You should also be looking to dig out and remove any resistant patches of weeds.
May:
Carry on mowing the lawn regularly. A spiking and hydration treatment now will prepare your lawn for the drier, hotter months. Only hydrate your lawn after completing your aeration treatments (either hollow tine aeration or spiking). This way you will effectively tackle dry patches on your lawn.
June:
In June, make sure you rake your lawn before mowing to keep runners of clover under control. Continue to mow the lawn regularly and water your lawn if necessary, remembering to soak thoroughly but not in the heat of the day.
July:
In dry weather conditions, when mowing the lawn, aim to leave the grass blades slightly longer to help them to retain moisture. At this point in the year, I recommend getting an expert to look at your lawn and suggest any treatments that could help to control weeds, stimulate the grass's growth, and improve your lawn's appearance.
August:
In high summer, when the weather is hot and dry, your lawn can be at risk of dehydrating. Ensure the grass gets plenty of water, whether that be through a sprinkler, which is an ideal method to water your lawn, hosepipe, or by using the water butts you installed earlier in the year.
September:
In the early autumn, raise the height of your mower blades to allow the grass to thicken and protect the roots of the grass from frost and snow. Mowing frequency will begin to reduce now as the temperatures start to fall, the days draw in, and the grass growth slows. If your lawn still needs to be scarified, now is the time to do it. This will help prepare for the winter by removing excess thatch, improving drainage and assisting nutrients in circulating.
A scarification treatment in autumn will also remove the environment that many lawn diseases such as moss, red thread and dollar spot thrive in. Look out for fungal diseases such as fairy rings in your lawn at this time of the year.
October:
Autumn is an excellent time to aerate your lawn before the winter months hit. This is particularly important to relieve compaction and ensure adequate drainage once the winter rains arrive. Ensure you regularly remove leaves and debris that fall on the lawn either by gently raking or using a leaf blower.
November:
During November, it is essential to carry on removing the leaves and debris that fall on the lawn. Bare patches often occur this time of year, so if you are having fireworks or a bonfire party, which will cause excessive traffic on your lawn and bare patches to appear, speak to a lawn treatment expert, and they will be able to help repair the grass.
December:
From incessant rain to that early morning frost, the desire to sit inside in the warmth of your home in December can prove infinitely more appealing than standing out in the cold, tending to your lawn. Some tasks you can take care of include ensuring the lawn is clear of leaves and debris to help control the build-up of thatch. If the lawn is frozen, keep off it so as not to damage the grass: frost makes the blades brittle and much more susceptible to damage. Remember, winter is when moss tends to take hold within a lawn, so it is vital to act quickly and ensure your lawn treatment plan continues throughout the winter months.
Always remember to ask an expert:
If you are ever unsure about something, get in touch with a lawn care expert. Whether you are stumped by scarifying or worried by weeds, expert advice will put you on the right track. At Greensleeves, we offer a free lawn consultation if you are struggling. During this consultation, your local lawn treatment expert will look for any pests that may be infiltrating your lawn, what treatments your lawn may need, and for any recommendations on what you could do to get your lawn in tip-top condition.
If you have any questions or would like a free lawn consultation from your local Greensleeves business, please visit: www.greensleeves-uk.com
About the Author
David Truby is the MD of Greensleeves. Established in 1998, Greensleeves is a lawn care service covering over 100 locations in the UK. Greensleeves delivers an all-year-round lawn care service through a network of local and dedicated business owners across the UK.