Lawn Care
At Benefitz Gardening, we are lawn care experts and have been mowing and treating lawns across Dorset for well over a decade. For help with caring for your lawn, please get in touch with us today.
We’ve put together a list of ways you can care for your lawn throughout all four seasons.
Caring for your lawn during the spring & summer
The warmer months of April to September are the main growing season for your garden. During these months, you should mow your lawn regularly and water it during drier periods to help promote lush, green growth.
How often should I mow my lawn?
In the summer, you should mow your lawn roughly once a week, dropping this to twice a month in the spring and autumn. It’s best to raise the cutting height on your lawnmower to 5 – 10 cm during hot weather so your lawn becomes less prone to drying out and going brown. Always keep your lawnmower blades sharp so you get the best cut during mowing sessions.
In cold winter months, mowing isn’t really necessary. If there is a particularly warm winter where lawn growth is visible, then we advise infrequent mowing on a high-cut setting (10cm or more). You should avoid mowing completely if the ground conditions are wet or frozen.
My lawn gets weeds, what should I do?
The warmer months are perfect conditions for lawn growth but also weed growth. You should look to remove weeds such as dandelions as soon as you see them popping up. This will help you to grow a nice, lush lawn. To do this, use a trowel or a long blade to scoop out deep-rooted weeds, carefully making sure you remove the whole plant and its roots. Once the weed is removed, we advise filling the hole with fresh compost so it is firmly level with the soil. Scatter extra grass seed and then water.
How do I fix bare patches on my lawn?
If your lawn has bare patches, we advise scattering grass seed into any of the bare areas as soon as possible. If no rain is forecast for a few days, you should water these areas gently and lightly to keep the soil moist and encourage germination of the grass seeds.
It’s also worth spiking the turf with a garden fork to aerate trampled, bare areas as this will help bring them back to life. At the end of the warmer months, you should look to rake out dead growth to maintain a lush, green sward.
When watering your garden or lawn, try and be as sustainable as possible by using stored rainwater from a water butt. They are cheap to install and will give you a natural source of clean rainwater which we have an abundance of here in the UK.
How often should I water my lawn?
In the UK we get plenty of rainwater, but we do tend to get a dry spell during the summer. Only consider watering your lawn if there has been a lack of rain for more than 7 days, or if your lawn is starting to look more brown than green. Wherever possible, try and be sustainable by using rainwater from a water butt or even from your washing-up bowl. Sprinklers are perfect for keeping lawns hydrated but they can prove expensive as they use a lot of mains water and they won’t be permitted during a regional hosepipe ban. Ideally, you want your lawn to grow deep roots, so avoid overwatering your lawn as this can cause the roots to shallow and become even more prone during dry spells.
Feeding your lawn
To keep your lawn looking as green as possible you have to feed it regularly. The best time to apply fertiliser to grass is right before rain is forecast. This is so it gets washed down to the roots. An organic fertiliser will aid long-term lawn health, over chemical alternatives. If you are keen to feed your lawn during dry periods, water in the fertiliser with a watering can. If done correctly, your grass should look greener within a week or two. Lawns typically need a feed in spring and mid-summer.
Want to know more about lawn care?
We are lawn care experts in Bournemouth and across Dorset. We’d love to help you care for your lawn.
Request a quote today to find out how we can help you with a regular maintenance plan.
