Lawn Care

It’s very important to keep the lawn free of leaves to avoid damage as well as disease affecting the grasses. Lessen the frequency of mowing any grass, brushing off any moisture first with a wide brush, besom or cane broom. Scatter worm casts by brushing the lawn. At the beginning of the month (if the grass is still growing well and the ground is moist), lawns will still benefit from a good scarifying and aerating but don’t scarify too deeply. Aerate the lawn and brush in sharp sand on wet, poorly-drained soils or Lawn Top Dressing on light sandy soils. Feed with Autumn Lawn Food some three weeks later.  Apply this via a Scott’s Spreader to established turf only and when rain is forecast. Remedy defective drainage, laying new drains if necessary.

October is the best month for laying new turf and repairing damage, allowing the sods to settle into the soil before winter begins in earnest.  Prepare a weed free turf bed, working in the recommended amount of Vitax Q4 Plus. This is an organic fertiliser that contains added beneficial mycorrhizal fungi which promote strong root development.  Allow the bed to settle before laying turves in the same way as brickwork, fitting them closely together.

If your lawn is being ripped up by birds or animals it’s a sure sign that they are searching for leather jackets or chafer grubs.  There is little you can do to remedy this problem and there are no chemicals available to treat these grubs but there is good anecdotal evidence that Coleman’s Mustard applied with water may bring them to the surface for safe disposal. Covering at night with a sheet may also be effective.