Lawn Care Calendar
Spring - March to May
This is when it all kicks off – the frosts are finally over and the daisies and dandelions that have been lurking are just poking out and the grass is looking a little bit shabby after the winter especially the one we’ve just had here in the UK.
This is the first cut of the year and so as to make it a good one, a quick run over with the rake should perk it all up so you get a good even first cut the blade height should be high to just skim it first time round, it depends how much your lawn has grown over the winter as to the height but you really just want to take the tip of it off.
Once you have done this you can go over the lawn with a roller if you have one as this will improve the appearance at it will still look a little long.
Once into April you can commence regular cuts of the lawn and decrease the height so eventually you end up with a cut length of approximately 1 inch (25mm)
Spreading a weed and moss killer in affected areas is a good idea at this time, if you leave it for a couple of weeks you can rake out all of the dead moss which helps to reduce the thatch in the grass. Do make sure to remember to water the Wed and feed in if it hasn’t rained in the first couple of days otherwise you could end up with a blackened lawn.
April is a good time to begin feeding the lawn, and if there are any balding patches or areas of rough grass which has sprouted under the bird feeder this is the time to remove it and reseed.
If the lawn is looking a bit thin in places after you have scarified the lawn you can overseed. It is a good idea to use a lawn seed spreader to do this otherwise distribution can be uneven. A gentle rake over can settle the seed and the weather should take care of the watering, again if it hasn’t rained give the area a good soaking but witha gentle rose so as not to pile up the seed.
Summer – June to August
The summer months are coming, and the lawn will need the rainfall at the roots so in compacted areas it is a good idea to use an aerator to open up the ground and to brush some sharp sand and if necessary some peat mixed in to the area to improve the moisture content .
One of the tricks tokeeping a good lawn is to encourage deep roots, rather that a superficial layer. One way of promoting this is to water heavily but infrequently as this deep water will encourage good deep roots for the long hot summer days.
Mowing will be weekly by now and if the ground is not too dry you can apply a booster feed to encourage a rich green colour.
Spot weed killer can be applied at this time to reduce the amount of weed seeds which get routinely blown in, especially from less diligent neighbours gardens.
Maintaining straggly edges with a strimmer is important as these can get carried and begin seeding into your flower beds if not kept under control.
Autumn – September to November
As the summer is moving on, repair and replenish is the order of the day. You will need to be looking towards lawn treatments, overseeding and final feeds before the lawn is put to rest for the winter.
This is the time for a deep scarify to rid the lawn of any debris which has built up over the summer months. Do not put this in your compost as you don’t want fungal or moss spores in your soil.
If you have decided to relay/ reseed your lawn this is the best time period to do this as the weather will still be good enough to encourage good growth and to set up a deep root system prior to the chilly nights setting in.
You will not need to mow as often now and you should make sure you raise the level of your blades to leave a good height on the grass for the winter.
Fallen leaves will need to be raked off the lawn and can be kept in the compost to breakdown for use elsewhere in the garden.
Hopefully if you have finally achieved a tip top condition lawn you work next year should not require quite the same level of attention. It will require constant management but it is easier once you have a good foundation to build on.
Winter – December to February
It goes without saying that walking on the lawn when it is frosty can obviously cause damage to the grass and should be avoided, but it is understandable if a snowball fight ensues. If leaves or other debris is blown on the lawn it is advisable to remove this as otherwise it will encourage worm casts.
This is the time for lawnmower maintenance to either take it into your local garden centre for its yearly service or you can do your own. I will soon be putting together my thoughts on lawn mowers and strimmers so please pop back.
