Try BEFORE You Buy - Why Test Drives are Recommended!

Question: Would you purchase a new car without test driving it first? 

Imagine how disappointed you would be if, upon collection of your shiny new hatchback, you found out that your golf clubs didn’t fit in the boot. Perhaps the 15mpg fuel economy is a little too rich for your pocket or maybe the car is too wide for your garage.

A lawn tractor or ride on mower can be a similar price as a second-hand car, so why don’t more people test drive before they buy?

Patchy lawn: Top 3 Culprits - and how to fix them!

There are many reasons why yellow or brown patches might appear on your lawn. Here are the top three culprits to consider plus some easy solutions to overcome them.

1. The Weather

Drought is the main cause of a patchy lawn

By weather we mean drought! If there has been a prolonged period without rain, your lawn may have dried out. Brown or yellow grass with irregular patches is a good indicator that the soil is parched. 

Solution: Prevention is better than cure and, hosepipe ban permitting, you should water your lawn throughout the hot summer months. Many say that mulch mowing can help during periods of drought as the tiny clippings release nutrients and moisture back to the roots of the grass plant and provide a protective screen over the soil. If your lawn is badly dried, try spiking or aerating followed by intensive watering. 

Free Prize Draw - Win ECHO Secateurs

Built to professional standards, the ECHO PSEU-120 Secateurs are hard chrome plated, extra tough and rust resistant. Marquench steel hardening has given the blades incredible strength which will ensure a very long life.

The tool fits comfortably in the hand and the safety lock is ergonomically positioned.

Made in Japan, the pruner blades are extremely sharp and will make easy work of most pruning applications.

ECHO Power Tools are giving away 20 pairs of the PSEU-120 Secateurs exclusively for readers of 'The Gardener's Journal'. 


The Prize Draw will be made on the 29th February and winners will be notified by email. To enter, simply enter your email address in the field below. Your personal details WILL NOT be passed on to third parties outside of 'The Gardener's Journal'. See terms and conditions below.

Choosing a Lawn Tractor - FEBRUARY

A 'sweeping' collection system avoids grass clogging

When it comes to the weather, the only thing you can count on is its unpredictability. The British climate, for instance, is notoriously wet and on most days, even when it has not rained, the grass is often damp.

If you live somewhere where long dry summers are not guaranteed, you definitely need to take the weather into consideration when choosing your next lawn tractor.

Avoid the GREEN ARM

Many lawn mowers, not just tractors, struggle to collect wet grass. The tell tale signs that your mower is failing are rolls or clumps of grass left in the cutting path. This usually means that the discharge chute is blocked. The blades continue to spin, throwing clippings to the edge of the deck where they are deposited in soggy piles behind the mower.