Your GARDENING FORTNIGHT
A few simple steps make all the difference, says Ruth
After months of seemingly incessant rain, it’s hardly surprising that for many of us, our lawns are resembling the end result of the Battle of Bosworth Field. We live at the top of a hill and our soil is free-draining and chalky and even our grass is looking the worse for wear so I feel for gardeners who have to contend with heavy clay soils in low-lying areas.
But now the weather is starting to get warmer and drier, so we can start repairing winter’s damage and getting our lawns ready for summer. However, if your ground is still saturated or there are still patches of standing water, stay off until they dry, because walking on them will further compact the soil and damage the grass, creating growing room for weeds and moss.
Once you can move onto the lawn, rake over the grass to remove the ‘thatch’, the dead plant material and moss. Add it to the compost heap or hang it in bird feeders for garden birds to collect for their nests. Then you can aerate the ground using a garden fork, special aerating machine, or those clever shoes with spiked soles.
Now that grass is growing fast you can increase your mowing regime, maybe cutting the lawn every 7-10 days if you are after a neat sward. If so, start with the blades set high to avoid scuffing the soil and gradually lowering them as the spring progresses.
We have a few mossy patches and I combat them with a range of organic products by Mo Bacter that are safe for children, pets and
