Lawn Maintenance PDF Print E-mail

SCARIFY:

Means to rake hard (rip rake) or scratch the lawn.

WHY SCARIFY?

To remove dead grass, acid mat  (thatch) and to help air and water reach soil level.

WHEN TO SCARIFY:

The best time for this operation is September – October (Autumn).

HOW TO SCARIFY:

By hand using a springbok rake or by machine - a scarifier.

N.B. Always cut the grass using a mower with a collection box after scarifying to collect the arisings.

AERATING:

Means piercing the turf, making a hole or slit or removing a core of soil (hollow tyning).

WHY AERATE?

To let air and water in and relieve compaction.

WHEN TO AERATE:

Twice yearly in the spring and autumn or when the ground is compacted through use.

TOP DRESSING:

Means applying a thin layer of sifted topsoil and sand (NOT LAWN SAND) free of weed seeds to the surface of the lawn.

WHY TOP DRESS?

To make the lawn level and remove any small undulations and to fill in the holes left by aerating.

WHEN TO TOP DRESS:

In spring or after aerating.

FERTILISERS AND WEEDKILLERS:

Here are some general guidelines as there are so many different types of fertilisers and weedkillers.  To get more information read the manufacturers’ instructions on the packet.

WHEN TO USE FERTILISERS AND WEEDKILLERS:

These should be applied just before rain to a lawn that has at least seven to ten days’ growth.

They are usually applied in spring and autumn.

The grass should not be cut for seven to ten days after the application.

The first grass cuttings should not be put on the compost heap and should be disposed of separately.

MOSS IN LAWNS:

Mosses belong to a group of flowerless plants know as the Bryophyta which, in plant classification, comes between algaes and ferns. They have a relatively simple structure and reproduce vegetatively and also by means of spores.  Mosses compete with turf for light, nutrients and, in certain conditions, can become completely dominant.

There are about 600 species of mosses in the British Isles but only a few are prevalent in lawns.  The different species thrive under a range of conditions and it is often not possible to attribute their presence to any one factor.

MAIN CAUSES OF MOSS INFESTATION:

1.  Poor drainage leading to lack of aeration possibly caused by excessive compaction.

2.  Excessive shade.

3.  Shallow soil or low fertility.

4.  Over acidic soil.

5.  Too close cutting or wear due to over use.

6.  Thick fibrous turf ‘mat’ (thatch).

CONTROL:

1.  Identify and try to eliminate the main cause of infestation.

2.  Rake out the moss.  Although moss can be spread in this way, the treatment should allow the grass to grow more vigorously.  The preferable method is to kill the moss with chemicals before raking.

3.  Chemical treatment.  Chemicals should only be used by competent users according to the manufacturers’ recommendations.

Ferrous Sulphate (also know as Iron Sulphate or Sulphate of Iron):

Traditional lawn sand usually contains ferrous sulphate together with ammonium sulphate and is a good moss killer.  Lawn sand should be applied in spring at the rate of 4-6 ounces per square yard (150-200 grams per square metre).

Note:  The green cushion growth of the weed, Pearlwort, is often mistaken for moss.  This plant will eventually produce small white flowers and needs a different control to moss.

LAWN CALENDAR

January-February: This is a time for seasonal preparation.  Lawn mowers may need a good service or sharpen.  Keep your lawn free of debris and leaves.

March: Normally grass cutting should start now.  The lawn should be treated with mosskillers, aerated and scarified.

April: The main time of the year for turfing.  Apply feed and weed to the lawn, scarify, aerate and top dress.

May: Frequent mowing will now be necessary to avoid overgrowth of grass.

June-July: During the summer months watering will be a necessary process and cutting the grass too short should be watched.

August: This is the last optimum time to apply weedkillers.  Towards the end of August is the start of the seed-sowing season.

September: This is the best time to sow grass seed.

October: Apply autumn lawn treatments, hollow tyne, scarify, aerate and top dress the grass.  This is another good month to lay turf.

November-December: Keep the lawn free of leaves.