A healthy and well-maintained lawn can enhance the appearance and value of your property, as well as provide a space for recreation and relaxation. However, keeping your lawn in top condition is not always easy as there are a variety of problems that can affect its growth and quality. Today we look at the problems that you may encounter and how these can be prevented, controlled and treated. We will also discuss general ways to keep your lawn in top condition.
Keeping Your Lawn in Top Condition
A healthy lawn will be less prone to problems and of course look far more appealing so how do you keep it looking great. Here are a few tips to maintain your lawn in top condition.
- Mow your lawn often and lightly throughout the Summer, usually weekly.
- Scarify your lawn in Spring and Autumn to remove thatch which will allow nutrients and water to reach the roots.
- Aerate your lawn every year in late Spring. This involves punching holes in your lawn which will create space for new roots to grow and create a denser lawn.
- Fertilize your lawn three or four times a year. They usually contain nitrogen and other nutrients which will boost growth.
- Water your lawn thoroughly once a week. Ensure you put enough water on so it penetrates deep into the soil. This should encourage roots to grow.
Following these steps should help your lawn look green and healthy but despite your efforts there are several problems that can affect them.
Weeds
I always remember being told that weeds are just plants that have grown in the wrong place. Often you would be quite happy if these plants sprung up elsewhere in your garden just not right in the centre of your lawn. In the UK the most common weeds that will appear include dandelions, clovers, buttercups, nettles and thistles.
The best way to prevent these plants appearing in the first place is to maintain a healthy lawn with dense and strong grass. You can achieve this by mowing your lawn regularly and not cutting it too harshly each time. In Summer it shouldn’t be cut below 25mm and in Spring and Autumn a higher level of around 40mm should be maintained. It should be watered infrequently and fertilized in Spring. You should also scarify the lawn with a machine or a rake. This is a process which removes moss from the surface and opens the ground to let in air and improve the growth of the grass.
If weeds do break through you can just dig them out or alternatively use a lawn weed killer. Weedkillers are best used in Spring or Summer in dry conditions and its very important to use the right type and follow the instructions closely.
Moss
Moss is a flowerless green plant that doesn’t have roots but just grows across the surface. It forms a thick mat across the surface preventing moisture and nutrients from reaching the soil and stopping the grass from growing. Regular scarifying of your lawn is the best way to prevent moss taking hold. You can also apply lime to your soil to raise its pH level and make it less acidic, as moss prefers acidic soils.
If you already have moss in your lawn, you can use a moss killer product that contains iron sulphate. A good one to use is Miracle Gro Evergreen Mosskill. This will improve the lawn in around a week and turn the moss black and kill it in less than a fortnight.
Pests
There are a variety of pests that can cause damage to your lawn which include moles, ants, chafer grubs, leatherjackets and bibionid flies.
Moles can cause terrible damage to lawns both through the burrowing and the mole hills when they come to the surface. As soon as a mole hill appears it should be flattened. There are a range of things you could place in the hole as a repellent in an attempt to deter them, but none are guaranteed. You can also try an ultrasound device as moles have very sensitive hearing but again it may or may not work. You can also try using a humane mouse trap but as a last resort a professional pest controller might be your best option.
For such small insects ants can cause an immense amount of damage to your lawns. The large anthills where they build their nests may be the easiest to spot but also look out for patches of bare earth that can allow weeds to flourish. Be aware that whilst black ants and flying ants (mostly) don’t sting red ants definitely do so take care when trying to remove them. The best way to deal with an anthill is to remove the turf off the top and then take away all the soil that is raised above lawn level. Carefully dig down into the nest and then use an ant killing powder. There are some on the market like Aviro Ant Killer Powder that have been approved for use on lawns but if you use one that hasn’t its wise not to use it near to the surface of the lawn. When finished flatten the ground and relay the turf.
Chafer Grubs may not be a name that is familiar to many but its one that can spell bad news for your lawn. These grubs which are the larvae of the Chafer beetle are usually born in the Autumn in soil and then eat grass roots until they develop into beetles the next Spring. They destroy the roots of your lawn making it easy to lift. An even greater problem comes from natural predators like foxes, badgers and larger birds who will rip up the turf to get to these grubs once they are spotted.
The best way to deal with chafer grubs is to use Nematodes. These are microscopic worms who act as a parasite to the chafer grubs injecting bacteria into them and eating them from the inside. A big advantage of nematodes is that they are a biological not chemical method of pest control that are targeted specifically at chafer grubs so will have no effect on any other wildlife. When used correctly they are very effective and should kill all the larvae in around a fortnight.
Nematodes are the only treatment available for chafer grubs, but you can also try to limit the chance of an infestation by using a Chafer beetle trap. The fewer beetles exist to lay eggs the less larvae there will be to eat your grass roots.
Leatherjackets. Another grub that can cause damage to your lawn are Leatherjackets. They are the larvae of the crane fly which most people know as daddy long legs. Just like Chafer grubs they eat the roots of your grass making it turn yellow and die. Removing them will be easier if you act as soon as you notice a small area of yellow grass. If you ignore them the area will grow larger as they move in search of new roots to eat.
Nematodes are available to kill Leatherjackets, but it will take a while to clear them and unless you are fortunate you will need to reseed the areas they have damaged.
Bibionid flies. There are two types of Bibionid flies. One is called the Fever Fly and the other one is St Marks Fly. These are black flies that like grassy areas. The adults are harmless and can be useful in pollinating plants, but the larvae can cause damage to your lawn though not usually to the same extent as Leatherjackets or Chafer grubs. The larvae season is fairly short and often the lawn will soon recover but occasionally you may need to reseed affected areas. There is no real treatment for them, but you can reduce the likelihood of an infestation by removing grass cuttings and keeping thatch levels low.
Summary
Weeds, moss or pest damage can soon make your lush green lawn look unsightly but by following the steps needed to maintain it and those to treat and control any pest problems, you can keep it healthy and beautiful. Remember to choose the right products for your lawn type and pest problem and always read the label before using them. With proper lawn care and maintenance, you can enjoy a green and lush lawn all year round.