Yearning for a Lush Lawn

We have some tips on how to maintain your lawn, so that this important part of your garden becomes the envy of the neighbourhood. Give your lawn the attention it deserves by following these easy maintenance guidelines.

Fertilizer

Important nutrients are lost whenever the lawn is mowed, especially in summer when the lawn grows more vigorously. This loss of food needs to be replaced with lawn fertilizers.

Here are some useful tips for a healthy green lawn:

• Use 2:3:2 fertilizer at the end of winter and the beginning of spring to encourage root development.
• As from September/October, use 4:1:1 fertilizer to achieve that green carpet look.
• Continue using a nitrogen fertilizer like LAN during summer up until the beginning of winter.
• Always remember to water well after fertilizing your lawn.
• In the beginning of winter, cut your lawn down to ground level and fill in any gaps with top dressing. Scarify (make holes with the garden fork) and rake the lawn. Fertilize and add a layer of compost.

Tip: Do not cut your lawn too short during summer – longer lawn stops water evaporation and protects the roots against sun damage.

New Lawns

• Should only be planted in spring or early summer.
• Dig the area over removing all stones.
• Water well to encourage all surface seeds to germinate.
• Pull out all the germinated weeds.
• Level the area using generous amounts of compost.
• Fertilize with 2:3:2 to encourage growth once planted.
• If using runners, dig trenches 10 cms apart, filling the trenches with the runners.
• Water at least twice a day for the first 10 days.
• Continue to cut the tall grass shoots to encourage sideways growth.

Common Pests & Diseases Lawn Cricket

• Watch for small heaps of soil and brown or light yellow patches on your lawn
• Use Karbaspray and apply with a watering can as directed.

Dollar Spot

• Common in winter because of high rainfall.
• Small bright orange or brown spots.
• Use Bravo 500 every 7 days as directed until problem is solved