Lawn care

In their natural habitat wild grasses are grazed by animals such as sheep and cattle. In order to survive, the grass plants have evolved to grow from the base. This is one of the main differences between grass plants and most other plants and it is what makes grass such a successful choice for our garden lawns. By regularly mowing the grass we mimic the effect of grazing, which stimulates the grass to grow more strongly from the base and gives the best possible results.

Mowing tips:

• Fine quality lawns such as those sown with Premium Lawn Seed should be mown regularly and up to 2-3 times a week. When they are healthy and growing rapidly in late spring and summer they can be cut very short to create a rich tight sward.
• When mowing a newly seeded lawn allow it to reach about 5cm (2in) in height and then cut to 2.5cm(1in).
• Keep the blades on your lawnmower properly adjusted and sharpened. Blunt blades bruise the grass and cause damage, which looks unsightly and can affect the overall growth of the lawn. Cylinder mower blades must be sharp to avoid the risk of ripping young grass out by the roots.
• Very short grass clipping produced from regular mowing can be left on the lawn as a mulch during summer when the weather is hot. This helps to reduce water loss at the soil surface. Don't allow this to build up or you will create thatch.
• Grass clippings treated with Lawn Feed Weed & Moss Killer should be composted for at least 6 months before using as a mulch in the garden.
• Don’t cut utility lawns too close. A height of around 2-3cm for summer is about right. Any shorter and you will stress the grass and allow weeds and moss to take control. It may also expose the soil and make the lawn more susceptible to the effects of drought.
• Alternate the way you cut the lawn. Start at the other end of the lawn to avoid continually cutting in the same direction, or cut at right angles to your usual cutting direction.  Regular mowing in the same direction can create a bumpy lawn and uneven growth.
• Don't cut the grass when it is wet, or when the soil is water logged as this can lead to compaction. Never cut grass in frosty conditions.
• It is safe to cut the lawn during the winter months if it is still growing, simply keep the cutting height high and avoid cutting in wet conditions.
• Prepare your lawn for winter by treating with Autumn Lawn Feed & Moss Killer in September, this will boost the roots and provide a gentle amount of nitrogen to feed the lawn before winter. Raise the cutting height of your mower to cut the grass to about 4cm.

Watering
Apart from newly turfed or freshly seeded lawns there is little need to water a lawn even during a summer drought. Although the lawn may go brown it will almost always recover. You can help your lawn to tolerate drought by keeping it well fed, free from moss and weeds and by not cutting it too short.
If watering is needed then apply the water after dusk or early in the morning when the lawn is out of direct sunlight.