I’m a gardening expert & you’re ‘stressing’ your lawn when you mow it – here’s how to banish yellow grass, pests & weeds
IF you want your garden to impress your guests, then you’ve come to the right place.
Particularly if your grass is looking a bit brown, or you can’t stop weeds from growing back, we’ve got just what you need.
And even better, if you want to relax in your outside haven this summer, without pests flying around you, then look no further.
Timothy Greene, a lawn expert at iCANLAWN.com has shared his top tips and tricks to get your garden looking luscious this season, as well as all you need to know when it comes to maintaining green grass.
GET WET
When it comes to watering your grass, Timothy said: “While watering your grass is the backbone of a healthy lawn, and during summer, it’s even more important you stay on top of it!”
The expert recommended that you must water your grass “deeply and infrequently”.
This will not only encourage strong root growth but will also make your grass more resilient during warmer weather.
Timothy added: “Watering in the early morning or late evening is ideal as it minimises evaporation.
“Remember not to overwater your lawn because it will create a shallow root system that will be more susceptible to grass disease.”
TAKE CARE
Where mowing is concerned, it turns out there is a key time to do this chore.
The gardening expert advised: “Taking the time to mow your lawn correctly will significantly boost its health during the summer months.
“Taller grass shades the soil, reducing water evaporation and inhibiting weed growth.
“Avoid mowing during the hottest hours of the day, as this can stress the lawn.
“We also advise adjusting the cutting height so you only cut a third off its height each time you mow, but keep reading for more information on how tall your grass should be after mowing.”
FEED IT
Whilst weeds can be the bane of a gardener’s life, Timothy has shared how to say goodbye to them for good.
He continued: “Feeding your lawn the right nutrients will help combat weeds and common lawn diseases while boosting its growth.
July gardening jobs
The Sun's Gardening Editor Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you need to tackle this July in your garden.
1. Prune Wisteria
You should only prune back Wisteria twice a year – and July – or mid summer – is one of those times. After flowering cut back long side shoots to around seven buds.five or six leaves.
2. Pinch out tomatoes
Your tomatoes should be really picking up – so pinch out all the side shoots without flowers – and remove all the leaves that are shading the tomatoes – this will give them maximum light and energy.
3. Keep weeding
Hand weeding and hoeing the surface of the soil will keep your weeds under check.
4. Feed Dahlias
To keep Dahlias flowering until Autumn, you must keep feeding them weekly with a liquid fertliser high in potassium – which encourages blooms.
5. Keep deadheading plants
Keep up with deadheading your bedding plants and perennials – so they keep coming back for the season. With roses make sure you’re deadheading back to a set of five leaves, giving you the best chance of them flowering again.
6. Check on your pond
If you’re lucky enough to have a pond – make sure it’s clear of algae, which can really bloom when the sun beats down.
7. Feed your lawn
Whether that’s with a liquid feed or granules. If you’ve chosen granules try to get them down before the rain comes, so they soak into the soil.
8. Tend to strawberry plants
Cut the leaves off strawberry plants after you’ve picked them – leaving the crown untouched – which should help with next years fruit.
9. Sow extra seeds
July weather is a great time to sow seeds as the warm soil and sunshine is great for germination. Try carrots, winter broccoli and other brassicas.
10. Move young plants into soil
Get any young plants you’ve got left in the greenhouse – like courgettes – into the soil.
“A 16-week summer lawn food will provide a steady supply of nutrients to keep it growing strong all summer long.
“You can use a lawn feed and weed to boost your grass’s nutrients while keeping the weeds at bay.”
PEST OFF
And if your garden has been taken over by spiders, flies, bees and wasps, then fear not.
Whilst warmer temperatures and humidity during the summer months can create an environment that can encourage the growth of pests and diseases in your lawn, Timothy recommended: “Inspecting your grass regularly for signs of pest infestation or disease, such as brown patches or wilting grass.
“Most of these lawn problems can be stopped in their tracks with proper watering, regular mowing and soil aeration.”
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