The Grass Doctor

lawns how to get a lush one?

how to get a good lawn used seed last year as couldnt get hold of turf due to the hot weather now have weeds can anyone recommend any good products to get a lush green lawn and any other tips would be grateful

Public Comments

1. lush green lawns need irrigation. Make sure it is watered every evening. Weeds have to be removed by hand or chemically removed. Keep is mowed regularly too.
2. scotts lawn builde water every day check the compactness of the soil does it need airing (forking out) apply sand for moss dont cut it too short
3. If you are in zones 6 and 7, do NOT water in the evenings...this helps promote brown patch and other fungi. Water in the early morning but do not drench. It would help if I new what sort of grass you have planted. Bermuda and St. Augustine are what we have in my area, though we consider Bermuda a weed...smiling. Mow regularly, but do not scalp, get rid of the weeds and get a good yearly fertilizer schedule. Any of your local nurseries will be happy to give you a schedule. And you must be diligent in watching for decline, insect damage, and weed explosions. There are many chemical and organic solutions to these problems. Good luck.
4. Frequent-though not necessarily close mowing is the first key to producing and maintaining a beautiful lawn. It is necessary throughout the period of growth, usually from early spring to mid autumn, with possibly one or two further lighter cuts- or even more in particularly mild conditions in late autumn and early winter. You should also trim the lawn's edges when needed. Like other plants, grass removes nutrient chemicals from the soil, and unless these are returned, either by letting the grass cuttings lie and rot, or by feeding with chemicals or other top dressings the grass will eventually starve. Fertilizer must be spread evenly; mix concentrated chemicals with sand, and water in if it hasnt rained in one or two days. In spring and summer grass needs a lot of water, which in many places will not be supplied by natural rainfall. Some watering will be needed both to meet the requirement and to dissolve chemical fertilizers, which are only useful in solution. However, in persistantly dry areas, special drought resistant grasses are generally grown, and these may suffer from fungus diseses if they receive too much water. The ideal watering system is one that simulates rainfall, delivering a fine spray at the rate of 1cm per hr or less. Grass roots need air, and may suffer if the soil becomes very hard or if a thick mat (or thatch) of dead grass and grass roots forms under the sward. Such a mat can also prevent water from reach ing the roots. You should rectifiy these faults by perforating or slitting the turf and by scarifying (vigorously raking the surface); severe cases of matting may need treatment with a power rake. Carry out these treatments early spring and late autumn, just before the early and late feeding and top dressing. Numerous herbicides are available that are relitivly harmless to grass but will kill a wide range of weeds commonly found in lawns. No one chemical will control all weeds, however, so manufacturers often produce a mixture of two or more herbicides. It is wise to ring the changes, since what one misses another may kill. Even so tap rooted weeds like Dandilions may have to be dug up by hand. You can use selective weed killers at any time from spring to early autumn, but they are most efective when the weeds are growing fast in spring and summer. Do not use in very dry or in very wet conditions. For best results apply a lawn fertilizes about a week before hand; this is better than using a combined fertilizer-weedkiler, always follow makers instructions and apply on a wind less day, taking care not to let the weedkiller drift or splash onto border plants or shrubs. Professional Gardner for 30 odd yrs.
5. zoysia grass it cuts down on the amount of water your lawn needs. almost chokes all weeds out so you don't have to spray too many unnecessary chemicals . . . I've had it for at least 10 years for my lawn, get tons of compliments and I LOVE the way it feels underfoot!