Lawn Repairs
Most lawns will need small repairs making from time to time. Tackle problems as soon as you can to limit the amount of work that is required. Follow our tips on how to deal with common lawn repairs:
Worn Lawn Edges
There are two ways to tackle this problem, you can either re-cut the lawn edges by removing the offending edge completely, or if the damage is limited to a smaller area, simply cut out a ‘turf’ sized section including the damaged area. Lift the ‘turf’ and rotate it 180 degrees so that the freshly cut edge lines up with the existing lawn and a new clean edge is formed. The worn patch will now be within the main lawn, and can be reseeded. Firm down the newly positioned turf and water in. Re-seed the area using Surestart Lawn Repair Kit.
Bare Patches
The most effective way to deal with bare patches is to seed the area using Surestart Lawn Repair Kit, which contains a slow release fertiliser and Multi Purpose Lawn Seed. Simply loosen the soil surface, removing any debris, weeds and moss. Apply some Lawn & Turf Dressing or Top Soil if needed and scatter the mixture evenly over the area. Water gently to avoid washing the seed away and keep moist until the seeds have germinated and the grass is growing well.
Alternatively sow the grass seed into multi-purpose compost in a seed-tray. Water well and lightly trim the emerging grass until it is well established. Use this individual turf to repair damaged areas of the lawn.
Thinning Lawns
In older lawns the finer grass species are gradually replaced by annual grasses and coarser species that can eventually make the lawn look thin and patchy. You can really improve the quality of your lawn by over-sowing with a specialist grass seed. The new grass seed utilises any bare areas of the lawn and increases the density of the grass. This technique is especially useful if you find the lawn thin and patchy after dealing with moss and weed problems.
For quick and effective results use the Lawn Refresh. Lawn seeds have been coated with a blend of micro nutrients to improve seed establishment. The increased seed weight also ensures easier application. This special coating provides improved germination for fast establishment and protects from damping off.
Uneven Surfaces
Bumpy lawns cause problems for the mower and also look unsightly. Tackle each area individually. Identify the central point of the problem and cut a cross in the turf with a spade. Peel back the turf to access the problem. For small bumps simply excavate the excess soil, carefully with a trowel. For small hollows, fill the depression with Lawn & Turf Dressing and firm down. When the area is level, replace the turf and water well.
Poor Drainage
A well-trodden lawn, or grass on heavy clay soil can quickly become compacted. In hot weather the surface bakes hard and can crack. Water does not drain freely and puddles form on the surface. This is called compaction and leads to water logging which is bad news for the health of the lawn. In most circumstances it is easy to rectify but does require some effort. The most effective solution is to use a hollow tined aerator to remove soil cores from the lawn or you could use a garden fork. Brush Lawn & Turf Dressing into the resulting holes and repeat annually until the problem improves. The best time to do this is when the ground is moist in early summer or autumn. Westland Lawn & Turf Dressing contains a mixture of 50% sand, 25% peat, and 25% soil and fertiliser mix, which together add the right ingredients to the soil and grass roots.
