Looking after your lawn takes a backseat during the winter. Some of us might even not have a lawn left after the winter weather has done its worst.
But spring is the time to get back into action so that you have a healthy, luscious lawn come the summer months.
Depending on what you’ve got to work with (a full lawn, patchy lawn, non-existent lawn…mostly mud) there will be something you can do right now to give yourself the best shot of getting glossy green grass to enjoy for the rest of the year.
Scarifying and aeration
It’s important not to skip this essential spring lawn care step. Heavy scarification usually takes place in the Autumn, but most lawns also benefit from a light spring scarification and aeration. It helps get rid of old thatched lawn and weeds, and gives your lawn the best chance of growing fresh, new stuff that will look even and thick.
Aerating your lawn during April is also important. The holes in the ground help nutrients to penetrate the ground, helping your grass to get what it needs in order to grow strong and healthy.
Seeding and feeding
Once you’ve done your scarification and aeration, you can help to fill any bald spots or thin patches of grass with grass seed. Take some time to choose a blend of seed that’s right for your garden – if you have a lot of shade then invest in a mix that is designed for shady gardens. Take care to seed correctly so that you get the best coverage once it grows.
You might find that once you’ve seeded, you start seeing an influx of birds in your garden – there’s nothing more demoralising than seeding and seeing it being gobbled up by hungry birds. There are a few steps you can take to protect your newly seeded lawn from unwanted dinner guests.
For your grass feed, try to choose a blend that also has a weed and moss killer in it. This will give your lawn the best chance to grow strong and healthy.
Turfing
If your grass has gone beyond any recovery (we’ve all been there), then spring is a great time to lay down new turf. The cooler weather gives it a chance to settle in before the hot summer months, and it gives you a chance feed it well so that it establishes before the sun scorches your chances green grass.
Your spring lawn care routine can look a little different for newly laid turf so make sure you’re prepared to nurture it well once it’s been laid to get the best results. You’ll probably be mowing it a lot more, and a lot sooner, than grass seed so make sure you’ve got a good mower that’s height adjustable so that you don’t cut it too short and kill it off.
Wildflower turf
If you want something a little bit different for your garden, or the idea of growing wildflowers is too much effort, you can get wildflower turf that will change the look and feel of your grass. Whether you choose a large or small section of your garden to turf, it can make a beautiful addition to your lawn.
With the seeds already planted into the turf, once it’s rolled out they’ll start to grow (as long as you look after them) and provide you with some beautiful bursts of colour. Attracting bees, butterflies and a whole host of other insects it’s a great choice if you want to bring a little more wildlife into your garden too.
Low maintenance, a couple of mows a year should be enough to keep it healthy and established, it will bring you some beautiful flowers without the hassle of keeping it tidy. You can just sit back and watch it bloom.
If you need some help with your spring lawn care routine then our green fingers and loving hands are ready to dig in. Call us on 07961 234448 or email [email protected]