Most people voluntarily mow the berm (lawn) outside their property to keep it clean, tidy and attractive.
Note: We will advise you if your berm fits into one of the first three categories.
If you are unable to mow your berm you can employ a contractor to do it for you, at your cost. If you suffer from a permanent disability, you might be eligible for a disability allowance to help pay for mowing your lawns. Please contact WINZ for more information.
Have a good fertiliser programme. This will depend on the condition of your lawn, the type of grass and your location. For advice on the best type of fertiliser for you lawn, contact your local garden centre or a turf professional.
Keep your lawn well-groomed by mowing at a nice height (the best height is debatable; although longer, healthier grass can make it more difficult for sun-loving weeds to grow). Some say to not remove more than 1/3 of the leaf surface at any one time, although cutting the lawn shorter in spring will help remove dead grass, increase the penetration of sunlight to newly forming grass blades and help warm the soil sooner.
Mower blades should be kept sharp to prevent bruised and torn leaf blades, which can develop unsightly brown spots. Mow when the lawns are dry to help reduce the spread of some diseases and limit soil compaction, and also result in a cleaner cut.
Weeds will appear in your lawn, coming from seeds which have been dormant in the soil or have been carried in by the wind or birds. Where required, spray your lawns once or twice a year in spring and autumn. Contact your local garden centre for a suitable spray.
Lawn diseases can be treated with a variety of all-round products. If there are patches in your lawn, it could be better to just dig out that part of the lawn and re-sow it with grass seed.
Thatch is the layer of dead grass that lies above the soil and root system, which can stop air and moisture reaching the roots and encourage fungal disease. Once a year, get an expert to come and carry out dethatching which will take that dead material out of your lawn. You can contact a lawn-care professional through the Yellow Pages.
Walking, playing or parking your car on the lawn can cause the soil to become compacted, which means water can’t soak through and air can’t circulate. You can fix this by coring your lawn once a year – either hire a mechanical corer yourself or get an expert in.
Reduce the moisture needs of your lawn by not over-fertilising, and not mowing it too short. As well as coring your lawn, you can improve water penetration by applying a wetting agent.
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Page last updated: 05:38pm Tue 26 September 2023