Is the grass definitely looking greener on the other side? If your lawn is looking a little neglected after the winter, don’t despair! A little time and effort now can help you get great results by the beginning of summer.
Establish a regular mowing routine
It may seem excessive to mow too often, but a steady routine of weekly mowing during summer and alternate weeks during spring and autumn can help encourage healthy lawn growth. By trimming regularly throughout the year – including warm winters – you can encourage the roots to spread, which will help to prevent weeds and fill in any thinning gaps of lawn.
Just add water
Giving your lawn enough moisture can be a fine balance. You want to ensure that the grass has enough water to flourish, but too much water can cause shallow roots. If you have the space, collect rainwater in a water butt and use it to water your lawn in drier months.
Get weeding
Weeding may seem like a tedious job, but it can make a huge difference when it comes to lawn maintenance. Many weeds have large, flat leaves, which means that they can affect grass growth across large areas. What’s more, the odd buttercup may look nice, but they can spread quickly. Raking before you mow can make it easier for your mower to lift the weeds, helping to eliminate them over time.
Fill in bald patches
All lawns get patches occasionally. Don’t let them get you down! Rake in some seed or perform your own lawn transplant, taking an area of grass from a border or out of sight area and transplanting it to your patch.
Don’t forget to edge
Edging your lawn won’t help to contribute to the long-term health of your grass, but it will make it look a lot better! Strimmers or long-handled shears are great for cleaning up edges and around garden features or patio areas. If your lawn has started to grow into a border, you can use a spade to dig out a nice, neat edge (you can always use the removed patch to fill in less healthy areas).
Consider getting help
Sometimes it is just not possible to do everything; sometimes it is better to acknowledge limitations in time, resources or physical ability and let the professionals do it! Mowing the lawn may seem like a simple job but if it is always falling to the bottom of your to-do list, it may be worth getting a professional in to help. A local gardener can probably mow and edge an average lawn in less than an hour, leaving you to enjoy it without any stress!
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