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As a gardening expert, I understand how vital it is to care for your lawn, maintaining, renovating, and relaying high-quality ornamental lawns can be a challenging task. Over the years, I have seen many beautiful lawns deteriorate due to neglect or improper maintenance techniques.
With the right knowledge and techniques, a well-manicured lawn can add value to your property and enhance its overall aesthetic appeal.
In this blog, I will describe how you can maintain, renovate, and relay your ornamental lawn to keep your ornamental lawn looking its best.
Lawn care and Maintenance
To maintain a healthy ornamental lawn, it is crucial to establish a regular maintenance routine. Mowing, watering, fertilising, and keeping weed free are key to keeping your lawn in top condition.
What do you need to do to maintain an ornamental lawn?
Regular mowing is crucial for a healthy and attractive lawn. The frequency of mowing depends on the grass type, but generally, it should be done once a week during the growing season.
To avoid scalping your lawn, damaging the roots and leaving your lawn susceptible to disease and pests and drying out, aim to keep the height of the grass blades between 2.5 to 3 inches. Make sure the mower blades are sharp, and avoid cutting the grass when it's wet.
Proper watering is crucial for the health of your lawn. Watering your lawn deeply and less frequently is better than watering it frequently and shallowly. Deep watering encourages deep root growth, making your lawn more drought-resistant. Water your lawn early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation and minimize the risk of fungal diseases through waterlogging. If you are unsure if your lawn needs watering, you can check the soil moisture level with a soil moisture meter.
Your lawn needs the right nutrients to grow healthy and lush. Regular fertilisation provides essential nutrients to your lawn, promoting healthy growth and vibrant green colour. A good fertilising regime will be little and often and combine the use of slow release fertilisers and possibly easter acting liquids if preparing the garden for an even. Avoid applying too much or spilling the fertiliser as it can burn the grass. Use a high-quality fertiliser and follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid overfeeding your lawn.
Aerating your lawn is the process of removing small plugs or making holes with solid tines into the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the soil and promote healthy root growth. It's recommended to aerate once a year, either in the autumn or spring. This process can help alleviate soil compaction and improve the overall health of your lawn.
Lawn scarification- this is the process of removing thatch and unwanted layers of grass sward that can build up. and be a vector for disease or adversely affect drainage/fertiliser and other treatments
Weed control: Weeds can quickly take over your lawn if left unchecked. Regularly remove weeds by hand or use a selective herbicide to target specific types of weeds.
How to renovate your lawn
Over time, your ornamental lawn may begin to show signs of wear and tear. If your lawn is in poor condition, you may need to renovate it to restore its beauty and vitality. It's best to renovate in the autumn, giving the new grass time to establish before the next growing season, however this can be completed in the early spring if necessary.
Before renovating, make sure to address any underlying issues such as poor drainage or severe soil compaction. We offer a full drainage consultation and service if your lawn is underwater half the year. Prepare the soil by testing the soil pH, aerating the soil, and removing any rocks or debris.
Overseeding helps fill in bare spots and thin areas of your lawn and is an effective way to improve the density and appearance of your lawn. Choose a high-quality seed mix that is appropriate for your soil and climate and spread over your lawn, ensuring the seeds are evenly spread. Finally., cover them with soil.
Seeding is another option for relaying your lawn and can be successfully sown in the Autumn or Spring. Ensure you select high-quality grass seed that is appropriate for your lawn's conditions and follow the seeding process.
Topdressing your lawn with a thin layer of topdressing 70/30 sand/loam mix This helps to improve soil quality, keep aeration holes open, promotes healthy growth and also help to level out any uneven areas. Use a spreader to distribute the topdressing evenly over your lawn.
Relaying your lawn
Sometimes, the damage to your ornamental lawn may be too extensive for renovation to be effective. In such cases, it may be necessary to by remove the existing grass and soil and replace it with new soil and grass. It's best to relay in the autumn, allowing time for the new grass to establish before the next growing season.
Prepare the Soil: Similar to renovating your lawn, you need to prepare the soil. This involves: - removing any debris, rocks, or weeds from the area - cultivating the soil to a depth of six inches - levelling the soil - adding organic matter, such as compost or peat moss, to improve soil quality
Choose the right grass: It’s important to choose a grass variety that is appropriate for your soil type and climate. Consider factors such as sun exposure, traffic, and maintenance requirements.
Turf installation: Re-turfing is a quick and effective way to relay your lawn. Ensure you lay the turf properly in a staggered pattern, pressing it firmly into the soil to ensure good contact. Water the newly laid sod thoroughly and keep it moist until it has established roots.
In conclusion, maintaining, renovating, and relaying high-quality ornamental lawns time, effort, and patience, but the results are well worth it. By following these expert tips, you can keep your lawn looking lush, healthy, and attractive all year round. Remember to mow, water, fertilize, and weed regularly, and consider aerating, overseeding, and topdressing as necessary. If your lawn is beyond repair, relaying it may be your best option.