Lush lawns and how to keep them
Now’s the time to act if you want that summer carpet to be lush, green and prickle free, finds
Summer is getting closer and that means now is the perfect time to prepare your lawn for backyard cricket and family barbecues.
Here’s everything you need to know about creating an envy-inducing summer lawn:
First things first
After taking a beating over the chilly winter months, early spring lawns can sometimes resemble a bog, especially if you live in an area with clay-rich soil.
To start the rejuvenation of your lawn, Maree Armit from Burnet’s Horticulture says your first step should be to ‘‘get rid of any moss or weeds that may have developed over winter’’.
The easiest way to remove weeds from your lawn is to spray them with a weed control product. But if you want a more organic option, NZ
Gardener magazine recommends learning to live with smaller weeds, like clover, which can add nitrogen to soil and provides nectar for bees.
Instead, put energy into hand removing large invasive weeds such as dock and dandelion with old-fashioned tools such as a screwdriver for removing deep-rooted lawn weeds
After the dead moss has been raked away and the weeds have died off, Armit says to resow patches left behind with lawn seed that’s suitable for your conditions and will blend in with your established lawn.
‘‘Remember to cover the seed and firm it down so you have good seed-to-soil contact. This ensures the seed does not move around creating a patchy effect when watering,’’ she says.
Once the patches are established, she recommends fertilising with slow-release lawn food. ‘‘It usually lasts for three months and slowly nourishes your lawn so you don’t get quick flushes of growth.’’
Be careful about applying lashings of fertiliser or liquid brews as you risk burning your grass.
Keep it lush
Even after the hard yards are done and you have a summer-ready lawn, you will still need to put in some effort to keep your turf looking good all summer long.
Growth lessens during dry spells, so mow your lawn less often and at a longer length. Armit says that will stop weeds from establishing, will retain moisture in the root zone and it ‘‘looks much better’’.
Watering is another tricky but essential thing to master – you can do more harm than good by putting the sprinkler on for only a short burst. A good soak twice a week in the late evening or early morning is more beneficial.
‘‘In our hot, dry summers irrigation is a must for quality summer lawns,’’ landscape designer Christo Saggers says. ‘‘If you go to all the cost and effort of a decent lawn you will need to irrigate it and a pop-up sprinkler system is a good option. Static sprinklers located in the garden beds can also suffice.’’
Waiting for a game of backyard cricket to finish? There’s still a few little things you can do to complement your summer-ready lawn.
Keep the borders of your lawn looking crisp and sharp by trimming any grass that extends over paths or onto garden beds. And now is also a great time to mulch garden beds. The contrast between lush plants surrounded by a carpet of coarse mulch and the smoother texture of grass is visually appealing and will improve the aesthetics of your lawn area, says Saggers.
When should you fake it?
Fake grass is a divisive topic for lawn-lovers. While it cuts maintenance and can look great with outdoor furniture styled over it, many argue it still can’t beat a well-presented patch of turf.
Landscape designer Tony Murrell says the two places in the backyard where fake grass works well are in high traffic and low light areas on the south side of a property.
Growth lessens during dry spells, so mow your lawn less often and at a longer length. It would stop weeds from establishing and would retain moisture in the root zone.
‘‘Less is always more when it comes to fake grass,’’ Murrell says. ‘‘It might be fake but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to maintain it. You’ll need to get it re-sanded and weed it at least once a year.’’
Is your lawn a goner?
There is no such thing as a lost cause when it comes to lawns, Murrell says. With a little skill (and a lot of patience) even the worst lawns can be nurtured back to health, but you will now need to wait until next year.
Just because your grass has turned brown, that doesn’t mean it’s a lost cause.
The roots are potentially still alive beneath the soil surface and may recover when the rains return in autumn.