Understanding Your Lawn and How to Care for It

Lawns are resilient, but they still need the correct care to flourish. Many people try to achieve short, fine, bowling green lawns, but at what cost?

Knowing Your Lawn Type

Hardwearing turf is what you will need for your lawn areas where there will be high traffic.’ High traffic means excessive footfall from playing children and dogs so, it needs to withstand a certain about of wear and tear shall we say. This type of lawn is formulated with a higher percentage of ryegrass, and ryegrass is a much thicker grass type that allows it to bounce back from stress. So, don’t expect to have a bowling green from a few short cuts on your hardwearing garden lawn, it won’t happen. You need a finer lawn for that.

Ornamental turf is a special blend of fine grass seed. This specific mix is not found in the grass seeds, mixes or turf that you would usually use in your gardens. A lower percentage of thicker grass types are used, and a higher percentage of finer grasses are introduced to allow for that pristine canvas when it’s been cut. The finer grass types, however, make this turf less hardwearing and the care for this type of lawn is often invasive, regimented and persistent. You’ll need to mow it at least twice a week in the growing season with a cylindrical mower to achieve a short, neat cut. You can see why it’s called ‘ornamental’ it’s meant to be admired, not used.

Mowing Requirements

Avoid excessively close mowing on all lawn types as although attractive, it can weaken the grass, encouraging shallow rooting and making the lawn more susceptible to drought, weeds, and moss, because of this close-mown lawns need more frequent feeding and watering. When your lawn is fully mature (about 12months after its been laid,) cut ornamental lawns at around 13-25mm (½-1in) in Summer and up to 40mm (1.5in) in Spring and Autumn and for your hardwearing lawns, mow between 15 mm and 35 mm, once a week during the growing season. Take care to avoid scalping.

If your grass is fairly long, don’t be tempted to go short on your first cut of the season as not only will you stress the grass, you will stress your mower motor too. Adjust the mower heights lower with each cut until it’s at the desired height. Being patient will ensure your lawn is healthier in the long run.

Freshly Cut

The ‘freshly cut lawn’ smell that most of us enjoy is actually a distress signal or a stress hormone released. The ‘green’ smell of a just cut lawn is the grass trying to save itself from injury. Isn’t that interesting?

Looking for that pristine garden appearance? Our Aftercare Team can help. Call us on 0116 210 0760 today.