What’s not to love about a lawn? Our lawns provide a host of benefits to us, many that we probably take for granted. They provide us with green spaces for outdoor living and recreation, enhance the appearance and value of our homes, clean pollution from the air, cool our homes down and provide us with life-giving oxygen.

Lawns play an important role in biodiversity and have significant environmental benefits. Whether you have a tiny patch of grass or a huge green expanse, it makes sense to look after our lawns so they can look after and benefit us.

With a little care and attention your lawn will stay looking lush for many years, so read on for some smart turf maintenance tips to ensure the longevity of your lawn.

 

Water deeply but not often

We all know lawns are thirsty, but that doesn’t mean we should overwater them. If turf gets too much water, it will weaken the structure of the grass, causing it to be easily damaged. As well, too frequent watering will result in grass with a shallow root system that is not able to tolerate dry conditions well.

Aim for deeper water penetration by watering less often and for longer to encourage deeper roots. Watering early in the day is best.

 

Watch out for signs of stress such as grass wilting, seeding or discolouring slightly, as that will tell you your lawn isn’t getting enough water. If your grass is growing excessively then you might need to water a little less until the grass is growing at a moderate rate while maintaining good condition.

Adjust your watering times until you get it right, and your lawn will reward you with a lush display of healthy greenness.

 

Mow regularly, at the right height

Regular mowing allows water to reach grass roots more easily and will reduce the build-up of thatch. Avoid the hottest times of the day and mow in the morning or afternoon to minimise lawn stress. Make sure you don’t mow too low, as this will often cause the grass to grow back faster and develop patchiness or brown spots.

Grass has an ideal cutting height for strong growth and good health, and you should mow your grass when it’s around 30% longer than this ideal height. The right height will allow your lawn to outcompete weeds and grow vigorously and healthily.

 

Fertilise regularly

It’s surprising how few homeowners fertilise their lawns, given how easy and beneficial it is. Regular fertilising will allow your lawn to become greener, tougher and more resistant to drought, weeds and pests. Apply a slow release fertiliser that’s right for your lawn variety and the time of year.

Follow the instructions on the packet to avoid any problems. For best results, feed your lawn three times a year – in early Spring, early Summer and mid to late Autumn. If you can only manage one application of fertiliser a year, do so in late Spring to early Summer.

 

Eradicate weeds, pests and diseases

Identify the weeds that are plaguing your lawn so you can use the right treatment to target the specific problem, as using the wrong approach will do more harm than good. If you only have a few weeds, either dig them out by hand or spot treat them individually.

If the weeds are growing actively, use a lawn weed-and-feed spray that won’t harm the grass.

 

If left untreated, lawn pests and diseases will eventually take over the lawn and destroy it. As with weed treatment, all that’s needed is to identify the pest or disease afflicting the lawn and choose and apply the correct method of treatment.

Your local garden centre may be able to help you, or you can find a great deal of information online. Prevention is better than cure, so prevent pests and diseases from taking a hold in your lawn and you’ll find it much easier to maintain your lawn’s health.

 

Aerate the lawn

Grass can become flattened and lawns compacted if they are exposed to excessive foot or vehicle traffic over long periods of time. This makes it hard for grass roots to grow and water to penetrate the soil. But as the purpose of a lawn is to be walked and played on, this process will also occur naturally over time.

Keep an eye out for bare patches and compacted soil, and aerate the lawn every few years or whenever necessary, using a lawn coring machine or garden fork to agitate and break up the soil.

 

Allow sunlight in

All types of lawn need direct sunlight in order to survive and thrive, allowing the grass to photosynthesise nutrients from the soil. While different types of grass have different light requirements, they will all become sick if they are not getting enough sun. So if your lawn is not looking its best it might not be getting enough light.

Particularly in growing season, check that surrounding trees and bushes are not overhanging and shading the lawn; and give them a good pruning if they are. Your lawn will thank you.

 

 

Maintaining a lush and healthy lawn need not be expensive or difficult. Paying attention to what’s happening in your lawn is the first step, and undertaking a few simple actions to look after your lawn and deal with any problems should result in a healthy, attractive and usable lawn that you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come.