HOME + GARDEN
YOUR GARDEN THIS MONTH :
APRIL
Spring Clean and Repair
AFTER A WET AND WINDY WINTER , IT ’ S TIME TO TAKE SPRING CLEANING OUTSIDE THIS MONTH TO REFRESH OUR GARDENS ; TAKE ON THE DISARRAY OF LEAVES , TIDY AND DECLUTTER SHEDS , GIVE GARDEN FURNITURE A CLEAN , AND MAKE MUCH NEEDED REPAIRS TO LAWNS TO GET OUR GARDENS READY FOR THE WARMER MONTHS .
Lawns
Patches in lawns can appear for a number of reasons , and when they do , it is always advisable to repair them . Re-seeding , or turfing bare patches will prevent weeds germinating in the patches , and of course , it looks much better .
Lawns that have developed discrete areas of poor growth , perhaps from physical damage or wear and tear , should be repaired .
Lawns that are generally poor , weedy , or sparse will benefit from a programme of thorough lawn maintenance . If the lawn is really bad , then total re-laying or re-seeding may be necessary .
When to repair lawns
Lawns are best repaired in spring or autumn , when the weather is damp and cool , as the lawn is most likely to recover well in these conditions .
Repairing lawns
Using turf
• Cut out the damaged area of turf in a square , using a half moon edging iron to cut the square and a spade to lift it .
• Lightly fork over the soil in the base of the removed square .
• Cut out an identical-sized square of healthy turf from another area of the garden where it will not be missed , or use new turf if you have it .
• Place the healthy turf over the damaged patch and brush a sandy lawn top-dressing into the crevices between the turves .
• Compress the turf edges with the back of a rake .
• Water in with a watering can fitted with a fine rose .
Using seed
• Cut out the damaged area of turf in a square , using a half moon edging iron to cut the square and a spade to lift it .
• Lightly fork over the soil in the base of the removed square .
• Sprinkle some crumbly top soil or compost over the base of the removed square .
• Scatter the grass seed over the base at a rate of 15-25g per sq m ( 1 / 2 – 3 / 4oz per sq yard ) if no sowing rate is given on the packet or by the supplier .
• Cover the seed with a light sprinkling of top soil or compost to hide it from the birds .
• Water in with a watering can fitted with a fine rose .
123