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5 Tips for a Healthy Happy Lawn

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Once you’ve created your ideal outdoor space, how are you to keep it looking its best?
These 5 simple tips will encourage you to avoid having a dull, weed infested lawn by keeping a regular lawn maintenance routine.
Many of these techniques are best applied on an autumn lawn and in the spring, allowing the grass the best chance to repair and grow throughout the Summer.

1. Remove Weeds, Thatch and Moss

These prevent growth by blocking air and nutrients from getting to the roots.
The easiest option is to pull out the whole weed, roots included. This can be done by hand or by using a tool. However, if there is a large quantity, spraying the weeds directly with a low toxicity herbicide should manage them.
Thatch is a layer of organic matter that can build up between the leaves and the soil, consisting of dead leaves, grass and root stems. The best way to remove thatch is with a process called scarification, which is raking and removing mulch from the lawn.
Mosses thrive in areas that have excess moisture, shade and low-quality turf. If left untreated, moss will reduce the grasses ability to grow.

2. Improve Drainage

The two most common causes for water build-up include low water-absorption ability and landscaping.
Lawns with poor drainage often become waterlogged for days. If drainage is not improved, this can lead to serious complications for the health of your lawn.
Depending on the extent of the problem, aeration can improve the flow of water and air to reduce surface build up.
The shape of your landscape should naturally drive water away from the house with a shallow, level slope. Pooling water can damage the grass and roots.

3. Over-Seeding

Over-seeding rejuvenates tired lawns by covering the entire space with large quantities of seed mixed with fertiliser.
This fills in damaged and thinning areas while reducing the chance of weed and moss invasions. However, before the seeds can be applied, the lawn will need to be sacrificed or aerated, mowed and well watered.

4. Mowing

The amount of mowing depends on the time of year and weather conditions in your area. To make sure your lawn stays healthy after a cut, it’s best to only remove one-third of the grass length.
Avoid mowing when the soil or grass is wet as this can cause damage to the lawn and prevent healthy growth in the future.

5. Feeding and Watering

The choice of fertilizer will depend on the soil and the weather in your location. Generally, it is recommended to treat your lawn twice annually – once in the spring with a nitrogen-rich lawn feed, and once in the autumn with a fertiliser with high levels of phosphate and potash.
Alongside feeding, watering is essential to all lawns. The amount and frequency of watering will again depend on the type of soil and weather conditions in your location, however, it’s best to water the lawn at the beginning of the day in cooler temperatures to get better results.