Survival of the Fittest: How to Keep Your Lawn Thriving Through the Toughest Seasons

It takes time and effort to turn a patch of ground into a lush green lawn, something that you can be proud of.

Creating the lawn isn’t enough; to ensure it stays looking fantastic you’re going to need to look after it. Regular care is the difference between a beautiful lawn and one that is full of clover and weeds.

The good news is that, with the following tips, any lawn can thrive throughout the toughest seasons.

Contents

1 Regular Aeration
2 Cutting Your Grass
3 Fertilise
4 Watering Your Lawn
5 Consider Weed Control Options
6 Seed As Necessary
7 Reduce Traffic Levels
8 Keep The Edges Trimmed
9 Summing Up

Regular Aeration

Even if you don’t walk on your lawn often, the ground underneath will gradually become compacted. This is predominantly a result of the weather, particularly rain pressing the soil particles together.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult for grass roots to find air, water, and even nutrients in compacted soil. If your grass isn’t growing well or is starting to die, it’s likely an issue with compacted soil.

You can resolve compacted soil by aerating your lawn.

It’s possible to do this with a garden fork. Simply sink it about 10 cms into the soil and wiggle it about a little. Repeat this every 15 cms. Alternatively, you can buy or rent a lawn aerator which does this for you.

Another option is to get yourself a pair of ‘aerator shoes’ which require little effort but give big returns!

We recommend you do this aeration at least once every spring and every autumn. It’s when the grass is really growing. Aerating helps it get the nutrition it needs and your lawn to stay looking good throughout the winter.

Cutting Your Grass

Even if you love gardening, it can be frustrating to see your grass growing so rapidly. Many people overcompensate for this by cutting the grass really short. In theory, it prolongs the amount of time between cuts.

Cut no more than one-third of your current lawn height, even if that means you’re doing it every few days to get down to the height you want. — Cut no more than one-third of your current height, even if that means you’re doing it every few days to get down to the height you want.

However, cutting too low means you risk exposing the grass stems. This will prevent the grass from getting enough sunlight and stunt its growth.

In short, you’ll end up with bald patches which you’re not going to find desirable on your lawn.

When cutting your grass we recommend you use a petrol lawn mower. Sure, they’re a little louder and produce more pollution than an electric one. The upside is you’ll find it easier to cut the lawn in all weather and you don’t need to worry about extension cables or running out of power.

Cut no more than one-third of your current height, even if that means you’re doing it every few days to get down to the height you want.

Fertilise

This is particularly important as you approach winter. There won’t be as much sun and the soil may lack nutrients.

If you want to look after your lawn in all seasons, spread fertiliser across it in the autumn. You don’t need to do anything hi-tech. Simply sprinkle it evenly and allow it to soak into the soil.

It’s best to do this after cutting and aerating. We also recommend you use a slow-release fertiliser as this will help your grass stay healthy for longer.

Repeat the fertilisation process as spring arrives to help your lawn bounce back from the toughest months. At this stage, you’ll want a quick release fertiliser with plenty of nitrogen in it. It’s been shown to influence plant growth and your lawn will thank you for it.

Watering Your Lawn

Now this may sound strange as you’re thinking the toughest season is also probably the wettest. However, summer can also be tough on your lawn, the heat dries out the grass and it may struggle to get enough water.

If you’re looking to have a perfect lawn, consider watering it twice a day, once early morning and once last thing at night. This will ensure your grass has all the water it needs and flourishes even in the summer heat.

It’s a good idea to use a sprinkler or create an irrigation system. This way you can automate it. You won’t forget and there’s no need to get up early on your day off just to water the lawn.

Consider Weed Control Options

Removing weeds from your lawn by hand isn’t generally a viable option. That said, you want to stay on top of weeds as they spread quickly, potentially turning your lush lawn into a weed infestation.

Even your pets will appreciate a weed-free lawn!

The best approach is to use an eco-friendly weed control solution. It’s even possible to add treatments that will help prevent weeds from appearing. Just make sure you test any herbicide or insecticide on a small area of grass first.

As part of your weed control it’s a good idea to rake your grass regularly. You can remove leaves and other debris which can affect the air supply to your grass.

Seed As Necessary

The best time to seed your lawn is in the spring as it returns to life. We recommend you scatter more seeds than you think you need and cover any bare or sparse patches.

Make sure these areas are kept moist and you’ll quickly have fresh grass growing filling any gaps.

Reduce Traffic Levels

Your lawn should be used, it’s not just for show. That’s not the case in the winter if the ground is frozen. At this time of year try to avoid walking on your lawn. Because its cold the grass can be easily damaged, leaving you with a very scruffy-looking spring lawn.

We’re not saying don’t walk on the grass, just try not to walk on it excessively.

Keep The Edges Trimmed

Edging your lawn makes it look nice. It also plays an important role in lawn survival. Grass uses nutrients and energy to grow, you want those resources used for the main area of your lawn, not to help the lawn spread across your path.

Summing Up

The bottom line is simple, spend a little time on your lawn every fortnight and you’ll be able to keep it looking fantastic throughout the year.

It pays to automate wherever possible, such as with an irrigation system and even a robot grass cutter. This will allow you to enjoy the lawn while keeping it healthy, and still making the most of the space.

We recommend you invest in high-quality tools. That’s everything from the lawn mower to the garden fork. The right tools will always be there to help you look after your lawn even in the toughest months.

Just remember, when you’re looking after your lawn make sure you wear safety gear. That includes safety glasses, gloves, and a hat. Your health is more important than a beautiful lawn.

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