Weed & Lawn Care: How to Keep your Lawn Healthy

Every gardener dreams of a lush green lawn. Whether you’re replenishing the grass you have or starting from the beginning, cultivating your patch takes time and care. The team at Rhino Greenhouses Direct know a thing or two about perfecting your lawn, from eradicating weeds and avoiding disease to adapting to the seasons. So, let’s get started.

Mow your Lawn to Keep it Healthy 

It might seem obvious, but regular mowing is the secret to a healthy lawn. Just like our hair, cutting your grass encourages it to grow. As fresh grass grows, it becomes denser, making it hard-wearing and preventing weeds from growing.

You should aim to mow your lawn once a week or once a fortnight between the spring and October. You should not have to mow your lawn during the winter.

Invest in a Fertiliser for a Lush Lawn

Another way to encourage healthy growth is to invest in a good fertiliser. A fertiliser gives your plants the good stuff they need to grow strong and healthy – a complete formula will include the essential macronutrients potassium, nitrogen and phosphorous. Together, they’ll keep your grass growing, protect it from harsh weather and help repair damage. Nitrogen encourages lush green shade that we all want from our patch.

Top tip: Remember to fertilise your lawn evenly to prevent any patchy growth and uneven texture!

If you do not want to use a store-bought fertiliser, you can simply use the clippings from your last cut. Grass clippings contain all three macronutrients and so act as a natural fertiliser. Clippings should be small enough to sit below the surface of live grass blades and evenly spread out – clumping could suffocate your lawn, leading to dead and patchy areas. You could also use compost from your home composter or invest in manure for a rich feed.

Control Weeds to Keep your Lawn in Top Condition

Weeds are a pest to even the most well-established gardener. It won’t take much hunting to know if you have them, weeds such as dandelions, daisies and clovers will make themselves known amongst your cultivated green lawn. You might also notice an uneven colour or patches of dying grass if you have weeds. But don’t worry; there are ways you can control and get rid of them. It’s important you get rid of weeds as soon as you spot them; clusters can cause a shadow on your patch, creating an uneven texture.

You may choose to use a chemical killer to get rid of weeds This is a fast way to eradicate weeds for good. If you have time (and patience), you can get out your kneeling mat and dig them out yourself. Remember to patch up the affected areas afterwards with grass seed to restore your grass to its former glory.

Which Tools to Use to Control Weeds

You'll need a hand weeder if you choose to remove your weeds manually. These look like trowels and can have all kinds of heads, from corkscrews to sharp knives. Your chosen tool will simply depend on your preference and the stubbornness of your weeds.

Digging out your weeds is easy, simply dig your tool into the soil by the weed's root, hold onto the leaves and tug gently while you push the tool away from the root. Repeat this manoeuvre until the weed pops out.

Prevent and Treat Common Diseases

Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop at weeds. Several diseases can plague your lawn. Here’s a list of the most common and how to deal with them.

• Fairy Rings – This fungus disease shows up as circular dead patches on your grass. You can treat it by forking the area and filling it with a mixture of water and detergent.
• Snow Mould – This will appear as patches of yellow mould. You can scrub it off and spike the surface of the grass to prevent clumping and further growth.
• Red Thread – Another fungus that can infect your lawn, you can eradicate this with a sulphate of ammonia feed.
• Algae – This will show up as a slimy green or black substance and can be taken care of by spiking and feeding the lawn.

Luckily, you can usually prevent diseases by taking good care of your lawn. Keep it at a good length and feed it well during the spring and summer. You can also improve drainage by forking the turf; this helps stop compacted areas, leading to growing diseases.

Care for your Lawn During Extreme Weather

During the hottest months, your lawn will need extra attention. Follow these tips for caring for your grass in the heat:

• Raise the height of your mower blades – longer blades of grass will give more shade and reduce evaporation.
• Avoid leaving furniture and toys on your lawn – this will allow for proper ventilation.
• Keep your lawn well-watered – especially if it’s in its first year.
• Don’t overwater an established lawn! You might be tempted to water a lot during hotter times, but your grass actually needs less water than your borders.
• Water in the morning – watering at the coolest time of the day will prevent the water from evaporating, so your grass can soak up the most hydration.

Overall, keeping your lawn healthy and weed free can be done with a bit of care and attention. Establishing a good mowing and feeding routine during the spring and summer will set you up for the lush green grass you’ve been dreaming of.