The Lawncare Guide - June

If you’re in any drought.

Frequent mowing of the lawn and removing a little more often is beneficial for the grass. Mowing once a week is likely now. Don’t be tempted to cut very short, especially in the dry periods. In fact, many people will prefer to mulch in extended dry or drought conditions.

Using a mulching deck on the garden tractor the blades chop and chop again until the grass is in particles which return to the lawn and help it to retain moisture, while acting as a fertiliser. On that note, if your lawn is moss and weed-free you can apply a high nitrogen summer lawn fertiliser. On the other hand, if you have a weed and moss problem it’s not too late to apply a combined fertiliser, weed and moss killer.

Be prepared though for some blackened areas where the moss dies off and needs removing. Bare patches may need to be oversown with some patching grass seed. In the dry conditions, you may want to water and it’s better to give the lawn a good soaking once a week, so long as there’s no hosepipe ban of course; and spiking beforehand is another aid to getting water to the roots and helping to keep the grass green. 

If the lawn does dry out in prolonged dry periods don’t worry as it will green up when the rains come in autumn. Young grass however and a new lawn sown from seed or turve laid must not be allowed to dry out, keep the area well-watered and hoe out any weeds that appear.