MAKE SURE YOUR GRASS IS GREENER

It hosts everything from pets to parties and kids’ bike races to family football come drought, frost or monsoon. And to give it its due, grass does its best. But after a few years of family rough-and-tumble, it is hardly surprising if it looks a touch tired at times.

Since a garden only looks as good as its grass, one of my must-do gardening jobs around now is lawn maintenance.
First cut the grass as usual but rake up the clippings if you use a mower that doesn’t pick up after itself and then apply a feed. There are several kinds to choose from.

A traditional spring/summer formula lawn is the sort that generates a strong surge in growth, turning the lawn lush and green – but be warned, it means extra mowing. The effect usually lasts about six to eight weeks after which you are meant to use a second dose to keep up the good work.

A general purpose feed such as Growmore will do instead; it’s cheaper and since it is low in nitrogen the lawn won’t colour up or grow faster, but the grass will be thicker and stronger. Better still, use an organic lawn feed – there are some about. Put it on with a wheeled distributor for ease of application and economy.

But for a small family lawn that gets lots of heavy use I’d use one of the modern slow-release lawn feeds. These are designed to “leak” feed little and often, so one dose is all you need to keep the lawn correctly fed right through the summer. It costs a bit more but then it does more.

If moss or weeds are a problem – and they often are after a wet winter – then sort those out now, too. If the whole lawn is affected then instead of your usual spring lawn feed, use a combined lawn feed and weed or moss killer, and work round any drifts of naturalised spring bulbs or wild flowers since they won’t appreciate being zapped.

If you only have isolated pockets, just twist out weeds such as dandelions and plantains with an old knife and squirt moss with a can of ready-to-use lawn moss killer.

It’s also worth getting to grips with any thinning or bald patches now. Prong them with a garden fork to loosen up the soil slightly, then sprinkle a little grass seed – half an ounce to an ounce per square yard is enough – and work it in gently. Don’t worry if it’s not all completely covered.

Mark newly sown areas with canes and strings to remind you to mow round them and if the weather turns dry, water well. Within a few weeks new grass will have filled the gaps.

For the finishing touch redefine any lawn edges that no longer make a sharp right-angle. Take a sharp spade or purpose-made half-moon iron and cut down vertically about two inches, then throw the soil you’ve removed back up into the border.

It takes a little while to do but it gives the lawn a professional look and makes it quicker and easier to “edge” with shears every time you mow. Cut against a taut line or, if your lawn edge is curved, against a hose pipe laid along the ground.

With your lawn back in shape, you can give your attention back to flower beds, patio and the barbecue for the summer – without your background letting you down.