Lawn order
Has your grass taken a battering over summer? Here’s how to restore some...
THISsummer’s weather hasn’t been as tough on lawns as some previous ones, but many green swathes are still looking run-down. An obvious reason for this is that over the past few months they’ve been subjected to more use than ever before, as lockdown-weary Britons caught up with family and friends again in their gardens.
Heavy foot traffic results in worn patches and lawns that look lacklustre, while localised areas may be compacted leading to problems with waterlogging, moss and weeds.
Fortunately, early autumn is the perfect time to repair and improve lawns, and even to start a new one from scratch.
To fix bare spots, remove dead grass, fluff up soil with a fork and rake level. Scatter grass seeds following instructions on the back of the packet, cover with a thin layer of sieved compost and sprinkle with water. Protect from birds by placing plastic netting over the top, keeping it in place with tent pegs.
Next, turn your attention to compacted parts of the lawn. Improve drainage and allow air to reach the roots of grass by pushing
Early-flowering bulbs will give lawns a splash of colour
a fork into the ground, wiggling it about and repeating every 4in across the problem patch. Brush some ready-made top dressing (a mixture of topsoil, loam and sand) into the channels.
Perk up tired grass with an autumn lawn feed – high in phosphates and potash, these encourage strong roots and healthy leaves.
If moss is a problem, eliminate with a non-chemical remover, such as MO Bacter. Unlike moss killers, this results in the spongy stuff breaking down naturally rather than requiring raking out.
After giving your lawn a makeover, add a few spring flowering bulbs. Daffodils, tulips, crocuses, camassias, winter aconites and a host of others are perfect for adding a splash of colour early in the year. For a natural-looking display, drop a handful from waist height and plant them where they land. Repeat across the lawn.
Apart from reviving lawns, now is an ideal time for creating one.
The quickest way is by laying turf. A standard roll covers a square metre, so work out how many rolls you need and order two more in case of accidents. Purchase from a reputable supplier to ensure they are weed and disease-free.
Start by giving the ground some attention. Skim off old grass with a spade, remove weeds and cast out large stones. Turn over the soil with a fork and break up large clods before roughly raking level.
Walk up and down to firm, and then continue raking until the surface is level and has the texture of coarse breadcrumbs.
Lay your first row of turves along a straight edge, butting each piece up tight and giving them a tap with the back of a rake to ensure they make good contact with the soil. Use a half-size piece of turf at the end of the row.
Lay subsequent rows by staggering pieces in a running bond brickwork pattern.
Finish by brushing ready-made top dressing into the cracks between turves to help them bind together – avoid damaging the surface by working from planks of wood. Water well.
Try not to walk on the lawn for the next five weeks and sprinkle with water during dry spells.