5 tips to grow a lush green lawn
Who says the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence?
Follow these 5 practical tips, and you too can have the lush green lawn you've always dreamed of.
1. Cut the grass little and often
If you want an impeccable lawn, the first rule is to avoid over-stressing the grass. That's why it's better to opt for frequent moderate mowing, rather than a single major cut. You should also change your mowing pattern on a regular basis, to avoid pushing the grass stems in the same direction all the time, and never cut the grass by more than five centimeters at a time. Leave the grass longer in summer, however, so that it can withstand hot, dry weather more effectively.
If your garden is not very big and you're looking for a quiet, easy-to-handle tool, you can use an electric lawnmower like the PR 40 S, which is ideal for small and medium-size lawns. For mowing larger areas, your best bet is a petrol-engine lawnmower. The LR 44 PK COMFORT PLUS, for example, is a push-type model with steel deck, that offers strength, ruggedness and high reliability.
2. Fertilize your lawn the right way
To offset the stress caused by mowing, it's vital to fertilize your lawn frequently. From springtime onwards, arm yourself with fertilizer and fertilize the grass every thirty or forty days. There are lots of types of lawn fertilizer on the market. We recommend you opt for a mineral-based mixture comprising nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus – because that's the best formula for promoting growth and making sure your grass gets a good supply of water.Adjust the dosage according to the instructions on the pack and fertilize immediately after mowing, so as to promote absorption of the product.
When you're done, don't forget to water your lawn to help dissolve the fertilizer and maximize its effect.
3. Water every day
Although mowing and fertilization are two vital steps in the cultivation process, it's irrigation that makes the difference. To grow lush and green, first and foremost a lawn needs water. Not always in the same amounts or at standard intervals, but enough to prevent the older blades of grass from starting to wither.
This decision is usually taken on the basis of the outdoor temperature and humidity or according to how mature the grass is. A newly sown lawn, for example, needs to be watered every day, to help the seeds germinate and grow strong roots. Depending on your needs, you might opt for watering by hand or with the aid of a small self-priming water pump, such as the quiet and practical MP 3000, which is ideal for garden use.
4. Protect it against weeds
Is your lawn overrun with weeds that you can't get rid of? No worries, there's a solution.
If the weeds are fully grown, the best thing to do is use a hand scarifier.
Not only will it remove the weeds, it'll stop them growing back too.
For weeds with deep roots, like daisies and dandelions, a hoe can come in handy, because it goes straight for the roots, thus preventing all possibility of regrowth.
If none of this does the job, we recommend opting for specific herbicides or even a total soil overhaul.
5. Scarify it
To grow strong and healthy, roots need air. To achieve this, first scarify your grass with a scarifier such as our AG 40 S50: this will make it easier for you to clear your lawn of the grass cuttings, dead leaves and debris that can stifle it, and give it back the breathing space it needs to regenerate.
This done, make some holes in the ground with a pitchfork and fill them with coarse sand. This will help water flow down to the roots and bring new oxygen with it.
