As this piece is being written, spring is on the way. Ground temperatures are rising, which means that all those plants will be coming out of their winter dormancy as we head towards the first growing season of the year. Naturally, this includes the grass plants which make up your lawn and many enthusiastic gardeners will be excited at the prospect of getting out there to help things along.
Spring can be a busy and rewarding time for us gardeners, as there are plenty of tasks we can perform to help prepare the lawn for this important season ahead. Here’s our list of Top Tips:
Post-winter tidy-up:
Lawntech can help your lawn spring back to life.
If your lawn is anything like mine, there will be all sorts of debris and detritus on it. Things like broken twigs, occasional leaves and items which might have found their way onto your lawn from over a neighbour’s fence. All of these can get in the way of light, air and moisture reaching your grass plants and impede the lawn from growing. They can also damage your mower, so it’s a good idea to clear up all the odds and ends before you get mowing.
First mow of the year:
Earlier this month we posted a blog article on How to service your lawn mower, ahead of springtime. Our next post, in a week or two, will be all about how best to approach the first cut of the year.
Repairing bare patches:
As we head further into spring and the soil temperatures enable strong growth, so we can think about repairing any bare patches in the lawn. Our sister company The Lawn Store offer Lawn Repair Kits, with a choice of either high quality turf or seed. You can check out their range here:
https://www.thelawnstore.co.uk/
Scarification:
If your lawn is being choked by a heavy layer of thatch, scarification will remove it and enable the grass to breathe. However, Lawntech recommends that heavy scarification should only be carried out in Autumn, when the grass has had the benefit of an extra 6 months growth to toughen it up. However, a light scarification with a spring-tined rake or even a gently-applied mechanical scarifier at this stage of the year will remove that thatch and should cause no harm. Either method will help your grass receive the air, water and nutrients it needs at this crucial time. You can see full details of the process on our Scarification page here:
https://www.lawn-tech.co.uk/lawn-care-services/annual-lawn-care-programme/lawn-scarification/
Aeration:
Aeration is one of those treatments which can benefit your lawn at almost any time of the year. Spring is a perfect time though, and you can achieve a network of holes across the lawn with either a mechanical aerator or a garden fork. Please see our dedicated Aeration page here:
https://www.lawn-tech.co.uk/lawn-care-services/lawn-repair-renovation/lawn-aeration/
Moss:
Lawns which receive the ‘Double Whammy’ of two Moss treatments in our Annual Lawn Care Programme should not need any further controls in the spring, but there is still a little time left if your lawn has not been so pampered. We do not apply moss treatments after April, as the warmer grass can be scorched by the treatment. If the lawn has a lot of moss, scarifying may be the best way to remove it. Again, either mechanically or by hand. More on our Moss page:
https://www.lawn-tech.co.uk/lawn-care-guide/moss/
Weeds:
Just as your lawn is starting to grow again, so too will the weeds. A selective herbicide application in spring is part of our Annual Lawn Care Programme, and should be an important part of any springtime regimen. It is important not to carry this out before the weeds have started growing in earnest, though. Mid-April at the earliest. Please see our Weed Control webpage for more details, including our Weed Recognition Chart:
https://www.lawn-tech.co.uk/lawn-care-services/annual-lawn-care-programme/weed-control/
Edging:
Nothing shows that a lawn is being carefully looked after than crisp, sharp edges. Spring is a great time to do this, as the soil is soft and easily cut. These razor-sharp lines can be achieved with a half-moon tool and either a string line for straight edges or an old hosepipe for those dramatic, sweeping curves.
Alternatively, if you crave a more permanent solution which requires no maintenance, you might prefer the Lawn Edgings option offered by another of our sister companies. Available in a range of materials and finishes, these give an effect like no other. You’ll find full details on their website:
https://www.lawn-edgings.co.uk/
We hope this gives you plenty to get your teeth into this spring. If you’d like some professional help, please feel free to call us on 01722 744300 or use our Contact Us page to email the office directly. We’re here to help.
