Mowing Lawn

In their natural habitat wild grasses are grazed by animals such as sheep and cattle. In order to survive the grass plants have evolved to grow from the base. By regularly mowing the grass we mimic the effect of grazing, which stimulates the grass to grow more strongly from the base. Here are our top tips for keeping your lawn in the best condition:

• Keep the blades on your lawn mower properly adjusted and sharpened.
• If the conditions are ideal for growth (warm, moist and sunny) then you may need to mow twice a week to keep it looking good.
• Don’t mow the lawn too short when it is very hot.
• If you are on holiday, cut the lawn before you go. Don’t be tempted to cut it very short, as this will cause it stress. Weak grass cannot compete well with invading weeds and moss and will suffer. Cut it as normal as near to your leaving date as possible.
• Don’t cut the grass when it is wet, or when the soil is waterlogged.
• It is safe to cut the lawn during winter months if it is still growing, but keep the blades high and avoid wet conditions.
• Never cut the grass in frosty conditions.
• When mowing a newly seeded lawn allow it to reach about 5cm (2inches) in height and then cut to 2.5cm (1inch).
• Very short grass clippings produced from regular mowing can be left on the lawn as a mulch during summer when the weather is hot. This helps to reduce water loss. Don’t allow this to build up though, or it will create thatch.
• Don’t compost grass clippings treated with Westland Lawn Feed, Weed & Moss Killer.

1. 

   Step 1.

   In spring use a hollow tine aerator to remove small cores of soil from the lawn.

2. 

   Step 2.

   Push the hollow tines into the grass at regular intervals; each new position will force the removed soil up the tines.

3. 

   Step 3.

   Using a besom or garden broom sweep Westland Lawn and Turf dressing into the holes to stop them filling back in with soil. Now feed the lawn with a lawn tonic such as Westland Aftercut Lawn Feed & Conditioner, which should be applied after mowing.