Lawn Care Guide - August

Tops off or top dressing

There usually is not a great deal of mowing to be done in August. The mower will be set at the summer height of cut and adjusted according to growth, as will the frequency of mowing.

So you’ll probably just be enjoying the lawn, playing games, re-positioning the sun loungers, throwing the ball for the dog. All of which takes its toll and can cause compaction, leading to lack of water reaching the grass roots, a build-up of thatch and even the right conditions for moss to develop come autumn and winter.

Lawn Care: Questions & Answers

Q. We have noticed at the bowling green the grass is becoming patchy in places and our own lawn has similar brown patches, what causes this?

The Vegetable Plot - August

Sow and go

Should you be feeling energetic and inclined there’s plenty of sowing and growing you can do. Fast-growing lettuces such as Little Gem and ‘Tom Thumb’ will keep your salads coming.

Sowing cauliflower, endive, cress, red cabbage, spinach, turnips and radishes will add to your vegetable platters while Chinese cabbage and Chinese Kale make great autumn salads and stir-fries.

The Big Glut Recipe - August

Puy lentil, red onion, tomato and sundried tomato salad with feta cheese, for two

A bit of a mouthful and it is just that and very tasty. The recipe comes from two sources, Ainsley Harriot’s Barbecue Bible and Delicious Magazine, with the twist of using the ready cooked lentils that come in a vacuum pouch.

Ingredients
• 1 large red onion finely chopped
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp red wine vinegar
• 1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar to taste
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 200g – 225g Puy lentils ready prepared
• 100g (4oz) feta cheese, crumbled
• 50g (2oz) of sun dried tomatoes, chopped
• 2-3 cherry tomatoes, quartered, from your garden (or bought)
• 3 tbs flat leaf parsley
• Salt & freshly ground pepper
• A little grated lemon zest (optional)
• A squeeze of lemon juice (optional)