Hints and Tips for Spring lawn Care

As summer approaches we can look forward to longer, hotter days filled with sunshine and warmth. Whilst this change in the weather is an improvement for ourselves, the changing conditions can wreak havoc on your lawn, resulting in sparse, unhealthy and patchy grass. Follow these 5 easy steps to prepare your lawn for summer so that it remains green and luscious whatever the weather.

Step 1 – Get the mower ready.

Whilst the wet and frosty weather over winter is a great excuse to skip the mowing, as spring is only just a few weeks away it’s time to prepare your lawn for summer. Sharpen the blades ready for the spring and summer. For a pristine lawn it’s ideal to trim grass once a week in spring and twice a week in summer, this will keep your lawn tidy, clear of pests and clutter-free. Regular low level maintenance is the key to maintaining an attractive lawn throughout the summer and the best way to avoid requiring any time-consuming overhauls when things get out of control.

Step 2 – Remove Moss & Weeds and give your lawn a good spring feed.
Moss thrives in wet, shaded conditions which makes spring the perfect time for clearing moss infestations through scarification (vigorous raking) and spring lawn treatments to control weed and moss as well. For more information on effectively banishing moss from your lawn contact Lawn Bright .
Long sunny days provide excellent conditions for blooming summer bulbs and plants, but those extra rays also benefit pesky weed infestations so during late spring it’s vital you keep on top of these invaders to avoid spread. You can read our top tips for preventing weeds from taking over here.
During spring and summer your lawn is actively growing and so requires feeding to keep it green and weed free, so when you prepare your lawn for summer try using a proprietary spring or summer fertiliser to encourage vigour and reduce the growth of moss and weeds. My tip is its better to underfeed rather than over feed. Over feeding will scorch you lawn and will need repairing so its always better to feed the lawn with the correct mix. If you are unsure about the feeding then just contact lawn Bright for advice or a free survey.

Step 3– Over-seed To Patch Up Gaps

As the weather starts to warm up in the spring its a great time to over seed the bare patches in your lawn so it gets a good start to grow. Spring is usually warm and wet so perfect for seeding. Remember after seeding keep the the area moist if there is no rain and avoid mowing that area till the growth is at least 25mm in length.
Poor drainage can also cause lawns to become patchy and sparse over the winter months and if you’ve removed a large amount of moss and weeds it’s likely there’ll be a few gaps in need of filling in. To patch up these areas simply break up the bare surface soil and then rake to make a reasonably even surface before sowing the seeds, then lightly rake to incorporate the seeds into the surface. If the weather remains reasonably dry 2-3 days after sowing then water gently with a sprinkler and the grass should appear after around 10 days.

Step 4 – Watering
We are blessed with frequent rainfall meaning watering lawns is rarely necessary, even lawns which turn brown and dry during the hotter months can quickly recover after the first rainfall. However if you want to prepare your lawn for summer so that the grass remains green and luscious all year round then some maintenance will be needed. Generally speaking, watering every 7-10 days should be sufficient during the hotter months, only watering your lawn once the ground has become dry but before the grass turn yellow. You can also use a moisture retaining treatment when its very dry and this will help keep the moisture in the grass. Speak to Lawn bright if you require this treatment.

With these 4 tips you can prepare your lawn for summer so that with just a small amount of regular maintenance, your lawn will remain healthy and vibrant even on the hottest of days.
For more information and a free survey of your lawn contact Lawn Bright  on 01582 744844 or email me on jet@lawnbright.co.uk.