Yes, it’s that time of year again. The time when we resolve to make those life-changing things happen; Losing weight, laying off the booze, joining a gym and eating more healthily. Who knows, it could even be time for a change of career. Whatever may be weighing most heavily on your mind, the chances are that your lawn won’t be at the top of the list. It’s OK, that’s what we’re here for! Ahead of Christmas our motto is “If it’s growing, keep on mowing”, but by now your grass will probably have gone dormant, preserving its energy to get through the cold and wet conditions of the new year.
Robin takes flight – Winter in Wiltshire
With your lawn putting a hold on its growth for a while, it’s a great time to treat your mower to a service so that it’s ready to get cracking again in the spring. Having the blades sharpened and balanced, the oil and spark plug changed (if appropriate) and cleaning the air filter (if there is one) should be all the TLC your mower needs to bring it back to its prime. A generous blast of WD40 will complete the service and keep everything moving as it should. Traditional wisdom advises against leaving too much old fuel in a lawn mower’s tank for any length of time, so it’s good to plan ahead and run down the amount you put in as your last cut of the season approaches. Some even suggest we should syphon off any residual fuel before storing the machine for winter as the petrol’s volatility degrades over time, making the mower harder to start when the time comes back around.
Moving to the lawn itself, clearing leaves and other debris will help prevent your grass from being stifled and damaged by the lack of air and sunlight. A general rule of thumb at this time of year is to give your lawn a chance to rest. Try to keep off the grass as much as possible, as it won’t be able to self-heal any damage caused now until the spring comes around.
Moles and worms can be particularly busy in the winter months, and you can find our advice on how to deal them here; https://www.lawn-tech.co.uk/lawn-care-guide/wildlife/how-to-deal-with-moles/
and here; https://www.lawn-tech.co.uk/lawn-care-guide/pests/are-worms-good-or-bad-for-my-lawn/
With a little luck, these tips for a healthy lawn should prove both effective and painless to achieve. Unlike that list of resolutions!
