How to maintain a healthy lawn
To enjoy your garden at its best, especially during the summer months, it’s important to care for your lawn throughout the year with a regular lawn care maintenance programme. Find out how to maintain a healthy lawn with advice from expert turf grower, Paynes Turf.
During the spring months
- Mow: Mowing is an essential task in maintaining a healthy lawn – it strengthens the roots and thickens up the grass, resulting in fewer weeds and a lush green lawn.
- Scarify: Use a spring tined rake to remove dead plant material from the lawn.
- Overseed: If the lawn is looking patchy and uneven, apply quality grass seed over the area, and apply a nutrient-filled top dressing to generate growth and even out lumps in the lawn.
- Feed: Evenly apply a spring fertiliser.
During the summer months
- Water: If the weather is unusually hot and dry, it may be necessary to water the lawn – ensure the water reaches the roots of the grass by removing a ‘plug’ of turf to check.
- Mow: Mow the lawn up to twice a week in peak growing season.
- Scarify: In late summer scarify the lawn to improve its overall health and appearance.
During the autumn months
- Aerate: Aerate the lawn to improve drainage and to allow air and water to reach the roots of the grass – this will improve the health of the lawn.
- Feed: Apply an autumn lawn fertiliser – this will prepare the grass for approaching winter conditions.
- Mow: Raise the height of the mower blades – longer grass will help to protect the roots of the turf from damage by frost.
- Apply top dressing: This will help to protect the lawn over the winter months, improve the condition of the soil, and even out the surface of the lawn.
- Remove leaves: Keep the lawn free of fallen leaves as this could encourage the onset of disease.
During the winter months
- Mow: Continue to mow the lawn if the grass is still growing, but only cut the grass when it’s dry.
- Worm casts: Disperse worm casts with a stiff broom once they have dried out.
