Taking Care of Your Lawn
WHEN TO MOW YOUR LAWN IN SUMMER
Your grass is at the top of its game in early summer as it comes out of spring, and so it will be bursting with strength and growth. That means your lawn care schedule can certainly include mowing every four to seven days when summer begins. In fact, regular mowing encourages your lawn to grow more densely by stimulating the grass to develop new side shoots – though keeping the grass at the right height is actually more important than the frequency of mowing.
What lawn height is best in summer?
The higher the temperatures, the longer the grass should stay to protect the sensitive blades. Mow the lawn at 4 to 5 cm in sunny areas and 5 to 7 cm in the shade. If a heatwave is coming, the lawn can be left in the sun a little longer so that the blades shade each other. As a general rule, no more than a third of the length should be shortened each time you mow to avoid burns and blemishes in the lawn. Always use sharp mower blades and make sure the ground is dry.
What can I do about indentations on the lawn?
Particularly in summer, if blades of grass do not automatically stand up again after being walked on, this can indicate dehydration. Take a look at your watering routine, and consider a weekly schedule using 20 to 25L for each square metre.
HOW TO FEED YOUR LAWN IN SUMMER
By the start of summer, the nutrients from the spring fertiliser application have almost been used up. To best care for your lawn through the season of boisterous football matches and barbecues, we recommend you fertilise again at the start of summer. In fact, even lawns that don’t see this sort of traffic can benefit from a vitamin boost right now, as frequent early-season mowing means many of the nutrients in the grass will be lost in the cuttings, which puts a lot of strain on the soil in the long term. That’s why it's so important to return vital nutrients to the lawn in summer, and the best way to do it is by applying a mineral lawn fertiliser.
WHY SHOULD I SCARIFY MY LAWN?
Scarifying refers to the process of using a tool to clear matted grass and moss from the surface of your lawn and lightly opening up the ground to add air and improve growth. Verticutting is similar, though it has less impact on the soil itself. Left alone, debris and dead matter in grass can form a matted layer of thatch that will prevent water from reaching the roots and eventually suffocate the lawn.
How does scarification work?
To scarify your lawn, you can use a scarifier that cuts vertically through the lawn and thatch, and shallowly scores the surface of the earth. You can achieve a similar effect using just a rake, but it is back-breaking work! We recommend scarifying tools with rotating blades that penetrate a few millimetres into the soil to remove moss, thatch and weeds. The process can make a bit of a mess of the grass at first, but it rejuvenates your lawn for the long term, making it easier for air, water and micronutrients to reach the roots.
THE BEST TIME TO SCARIFY
April and May are the best months as your lawn is growing strongly, but you can scarify between March and May, and in September, depending on the weather. You should ideally scarify your lawn twice a year, but not when the ground is cold – it should be at 10°C or more. Equally, if the weather gets too hot, it’s best to postpone scarifying to prevent the lawn from drying out.
When should I scarify my lawn for the first time?
It usually takes three years before a freshly laid lawn achieves sufficient growth and hardiness for scarifying – any sooner, and there is a risk of damaging the young grass roots. You could scarify as early as the second year but only if your new lawn has grown particularly thickly.
WHAT IS MULCHING?
In ecological horticulture, mulch refers to organic matter such as leaves or grass cuttings added to soil to protect it and supply it with nutrients. Mulching adds a loose layer of shredded plant material on top of the soil, a valuable method to use in almost every area of your garden and a great way to save time, money and effort.
How does mulching work?
Mulching helps soil retain moisture by shading the earth and acting as a blanket. It helps store water in the ground so the soil remains loose and will not dry out too quickly. Mulching also helps plants grow by forming a protective layer against heavy rain and cold temperatures. Over time, plant matter used for mulching is broken down by earthworms and soil-dwelling organisms into valuable natural fertilisers and nutrients for plants.