The Lawn Care Guide - March

One man (or woman) went to mow....

Depending on the soil temperature you will probably be mowing the lawn by now, starting as always at a high cut height to take off just the tip of the grass. You’ll gradually lower the cutting height of the mower or cutting deck on the garden tractor as the weather gets warmer and the grass is in full growth.

One thing that is noticeable after the winter months is how patchy the grass can look and this may be pointing to the need for ‘over-sowing’ or ‘over-seeding’. The problem with constant mowing is the grass doesn’t get the chance to seed itself naturally and periodically needs a helping hand with an application of seed to rejuvenate it.
On smaller lawns you might begin with a spring tine rake and on larger lawns use the garden tractor with scarifying attachment to scarify and get rid of the dead grass and thatch. Then overseed, spreading by hand or applicator, or using a seeder attachment on the tractor respectively. It’s also a good time to apply top dressing to fill and level depressions by mixing sieved soil, garden compost and sharp sand in a 3:2:3 ratio and spreading.

Now is also the time to look out for disease in the lawn. Over watering and over-application of fertiliser and top dressing high in lime or calcium will alter the surface pH, while shade or areas where air movement has been reduced, by erecting solid fencing for example, can lead to problems. You’ll need to identify the type of disease and then apply the correct fungicide to control it. The commonest and probably most damaging disease is Fusarium pach which develops as small dead patches of grass with an orange/brown or off-white ring of fluffy material known as mycelium around the outer edge; or there are small, bleached and brown dead patches.

Scarification, aerating and avoiding the application of early spring fertiliser can help prevent it, while the application of the correct fungicide will treat it. For the amateur gardener that would be trifloxystrobin/Bayer Garden Lawn Disease Control or for large lawns consider a professional lawn service.