It is always said that the grass is greener on the other side. But this wouldn’t be the case if your lawn is well taken care of. Contrary to what most people think, there is more to growing and maintaining a healthy, lustrous green turf than watering and mowing the grass. A lawn also needs to be aerated, de-thatched and fertilized.
Is a lawn really worth your time and effort?
An ideal landscape consists of a well maintained lawn along with other components like say, a flower garden. All the effort you put into the lawn never goes in vain. Scientists have proved that a healthy lawn not only increases the value of your home due to its aesthetic appeal but also, keeps the humidity and temperature levels of the surrounding area low. In addition to this, it reduces soil erosion during the rainy season.
When it comes to laying turf in London, homeowners have to two choices to consider; going natural or buying an artificial turf. The latter requires little maintenance and easily passes for real grass. For those who opt to go natural, here is how to go about it;
Laying the grass
Prepare the laying site during spring or early winter. Sprinkle farmyard compost and fertilizer then sow turf grass seeds as per the guidelines provided for the grass variety. If you are going to have the turf delivered to you, lay it as soon as possible so that the grass does not turn yellow. Water it regularly and soon you’ll be the envy of the neighbourhood.
Irrigation
Water the lawn early every morning. The amount of water used should be enough to get to the root zone – too much water will make the grass rot and in the other case, too little water causes yellowing. For a healthy grass turf London residents should strive to strike a balance.
Mowing
In the first few weeks after the turf has been laid it should not be mowed. As it grows, mow it by setting the mower at a high level. On average, the mowing height is 3 inches but this depends on the grass variety.
Fertilization
Sparse fertilization is sufficient for lawns in cool climatic conditions. For example, using 2 – 4 pounds of nitrogenous fertilizer per 1000 square feet in a year is enough. For areas that experience heavy traffic like playgrounds 4 – 5 pounds of fertilizer would do. The right time to apply fertilizer would be during the summer.
De-thatching and pest/ disease control
De-thatching refers to the removal of organic waste (dead shoots and leaves) that accumulates on the lawn. Another crucial part of maintain a healthy turf is disease and weed control. In such scenarios, application of the appropriate herbicides and pesticides is enough to control weeds, pests and other nuisance. It’s always a good idea to research on the best type of grass for your lawn because doing so helps you identify one that is easy to maintain.
Those are the crucial aspects of taking care of grass turf London residents should know. It may seem to be tough at first but in the course of time it becomes easy. Nothing gives you pride than having a well-maintained lawn that neighours always admire.