GRASS is still the country's favourite plant, even in this
post groundforce-era of blue glazed pots, decking and
paving.So, here's how to give those long suffering
traditional lawns a spring clean and an injection of energy.
Tom Jones once sang about the "green green grass of home",
but the question is; "Is the grass really greener on the
other side" and if it is what have they been feeding it
with?
Despite evidence to the contrary, premier division lawns
aren't that much bother, as long as you keep them in
training and take care of what lies beneath your feel.
Mowing needs to start about now, as day temperatures rise
above 10�c. The first cut need not be the most painful -
ideally 3 inches above the ground, moving to half an inch to
an inch high in midsummer. Spring lawn care essentially
means applying a feed, weed and mosskiller product on your
lawn and fixing any bald patches.
You can get a box for �8 to treat 100 square metres. This
may be applied with a spreader for best results - cost
approx. �15, or some generous garden centres will lend them
to you.
After evenly covering your lawn with the powder, wait 2/3
days and if no rain has fallen, get a sprinkler or a hose
pipe out and water the application in. By a week later you
will see a dramatic effect. Your lawn will be brighter,
fuller and lush looking.
Sadly there will be a rather stark contrast with any
brown patches of dead moss and weeds, which will have to be
raked out before the bald spots can be re-sown.
However don't let this put you off, because if you don't
do it this in the spring the problem will only get worse in
summer.
Grass seed germinates best when the temperature doesn't
fall beneath 8�c. So in the North of Ireland by early May it
will be possible to start. Don't sow those bald patches
before danger of frost has passed, otherwise the lifting
action of the freezing soil will tear out the young
seedlings.
Make sure the area to be sown is finely raked. Apply a
dusting of peat, scatter the seeds, scatter a little more
peat (peat is an excellent rooting medium) and water in
well.. Remember not to apply any feed to the freshly sown
grass for six weeks otherwise you'll scorch it.
Lawn work pays dividends later on, and you will have a
garden to make others green with envy.
By Clive Sullivan of Cameron Landscapes & Ballylesson
Garden Centre.
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