How to get the perfect lawn: A seasonal guide to lawn care

Your lawn has a tough life, coping with freezing temperatures, weeks of rain and scorching summer temperatures. Add constant wear and tear from children, pets and summer barbecues and your lawn can quickly become worn and tired but with a little season maintenance it is possible to keep your lawn fresh and healthy. To this end our landscaping team, with some help from the experts at Rolawn, have complied this simple guide to keeping your lawn in tip top condition throughout the year.

January / February

To avoid damaging your lawn it is important to keep traffic to a minimum if it is frozen or heavily water logged.
Using a springtime rake remove any remaining leaves and debris from the surface of the lawn.
Service your lawn mower and ensure that the blades are sharp prior to the first cut of the year and be sure to use fresh petrol. Fuel deteriorates when it is stored for long periods.

March/April

As the weather begins to improve and temperatures rise it is time to start mowing your lawn. Ensure that you set your lawn mower to its highest cutting setting for the first cut of spring. Following the first cut gradually lower the height until a suitable length for your turf type is reached. For lawns with very fine thatch the recommended height is 6-13mm and for ordinary lawns 13-25mm is suggested for summer and 40mm in spring and summer.
Trim the edges of the lawn using a good quality edge trimming spade and remove any weed growth.
Remove weeds and areas of coarse grass by hand or use a spot weed treatment.
Apply a suitable fertiliser such as Rolawn GroRight which also contains weed and moss treatments.
Apply a suitable top dressing, AWBS recommends Rolawn Top Dressing, to smooth and level the surface of the lawn, reduce thatch and improve the soil.
Repair small areas of wear with Rowlan high quality lawn seed or replace larger areas of damage with a good quality turf such as Rolawn Medallion.
If your lawn is over 12 months old over seed with high quality lawn seed.

May / June

Over the summer months’ increase mowing frequency. On average mow your lawn twice a week, little and often is the best method although frequency should be reduced in periods of drought.
Continue to remove or spot treat any large weed growth and coarse grass. Treat persistent weed and moss growth with Rolawn GroRight Lawn Fertiliser which will kill weeds and feed your lawn.
In late spring the lawn should be aerated. The process of aerating perforates the soil with small holes and allows air, moisture and nutrients to penetrate the roots of the turf, promoting stronger and more vigorous growth. Aeration should only be done when the soil is moist and soft and it is therefore better to undertake this task in late spring or early autumn.
In prolonged dry periods it may be necessary to water your lawn. Use a sprinkler to distribute the moisture evenly and only water in morning or evening when temperatures are cooler and the lawn is not in direct sunlight.

July / August

While it is important to use water wisely it may be necessary to water your lawn regularly in the height of summer. Your lawn may discolour and turn brown in very hot and dry periods but will quickly return to health when rainfall returns.
In times of drought reduce the frequency of mowing to one a week or less and do not cut the grass too short, 13-25mm is recommended for ordinary ornamental lawns.
You may wish to consider asking a neighbour of a family member to water and mow your lawn whilst you are on holiday to maintain its condition.

September/October

With the onset of autumn, it is time to prepare your lawn and garden for the harsh winter months ahead.
Towards the end of September gradually decrease the frequency of mowing and begin to raise the height of the cut as the rate of growth slows.
In October aerate the lawn and treat with Rolawn Groright Lawn Fertiliser Weed and Moss killer.
Repair areas of minor lawn damage with Rolawn premium lawn seed or replace areas that have become severely worn with Rolawn Medallion premium quality turf.
Apply Rolawn Topdressing Soil to level, feed and protect your lawn over winter.

November/December

Throughout late autumn and winter it is important to remove leaves and debris which can damage the lawn.
In mild weather it may be necessary to mow your lawn if it is still growing, ensure that your mower is set to its highest setting.
Prune and cut back foliage overhanging the lawn to prevent shading and debris from falling onto the lawn.
Clean and oil garden equipment, including your lawn mower prior to putting into winter storage. Don’t forget to drain any remaining fuel as this will deteriorate and may emulsify which can block the fuel system of mechanical garden equipment.

AWBS are both professional landscaping contractors and suppliers of landscaping and building materials. Our landscaping and building supplies centres based in Swindon, Oxford and Yarnton stock a wide range of Rolawn turf, soils and lawn care products for fast free delivery and our friendly and knowledgeable staff are on hand to offer advice and answer your questions regarding creating and care for lawns.