A Guide to a Perfect Lawn

Gardener and author Alan Titchmarsh believes the perfect lawn has become a guilty pleasure for most homeowners. However, maintaining an enviable lawn is a year round job. Although it’s not easy during the winter, all the effort is worth it come spring. With that, here are some of the things you need to do to achieve that perfect lawn:

Choose the right type of grass

Dwarf Ryegrass is one of the most common species you will find on a British lawn. It’s the best kind to choose if you want a thick lawn. But if you’re looking for something that can withstand the elements, your best choice is the Slender Creeping Red Fescue. Gardeners love it for its delicate balance between looking appealing and being able to survive harsh environmental conditions. 

Pick the best time to lay a new lawn

The BBC’s Gardening Guide notes that grass can root easily during autumn, which makes it the perfect time to lay a new lawn. Turf will also quickly grow on soil when it’s warm and moist. Before laying it, skim off any old grass and remove large stones and weeds. Lay one row after another, making sure that each strip of turf is pushed tight against the one next to it. Make sure you don’t walk on freshly laid turf for several weeks or until it has rooted into the ground.

Repair lawn edges

If you’re not looking to replace your lawn, a few simple lawn maintenance tips can help make it look beautiful. For one, make sure you repair the edges of your lawn. Leicestershire Live shared their secrets on repairing damaged turf, with one being to cut a rectangle that included the damaged edge, then simply turn it around. Don’t forget to reseed worn areas, and cover it with plastic so the seeds have time to germinate. If you see any lumps and bumps, cut out the turf over that area and add or take away the soil underneath.

Mow your lawn religiously

Regularly cutting your lawn can help thicken it. Switch directions and patterns each time you mow so that you’re sure you don’t miss any patches and that the grass straws aren’t pressed in the same direction. The cutting height matters, too. The Spruce claims the optimal height for colder weather is about two and a half inches. During the summer, you can choose one of the higher settings, as the grass will be longer. Make sure your mower can adjust to the height that you want for your lawn. The lawn mowers that are listed on Screwfix show how modern models come with adjustable cutting heights (often ranging from 20-70mm). Establishing the right cutting height for your grass will allow you to mow the lawn to the ideal length all year round.

Always feed and water your lawn

Your lawn needs about an inch of water every week. It’s a common misconception that it’s better to water lightly several times a week. Once or twice will be enough if you use the right amount of water. You can even water your lawn heavily and then wait up to three weeks before watering again. When it comes to adding fertiliser, make sure you spread it when the weather is hot as it will burn your lawn. Choose the slow-release kind so that after being spread, it breaks down slowly, providing your lawn with constant feeding. The key is to use a spreader so you apply the fertiliser evenly.

Apart from paying extra attention to your lawn, some of the other things you can do around your garden to make it even more perfect include repairing your fences, cleaning your water features, and preventing weeds before they come up. It won’t be long before it really is Springtime in the Garden.

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Alan Cole

Alan is a Freelance Website Designer, Sports & Exercise Science Lab Technician and full time Dad & husband with far too many hobbies: Triathlete, Swimming, Cycling, Running, MTBing, Surfing, Windsurfing, SUPing, Gardening, Photography.... The list goes on.