• When is it best to fertilise after seeding?
• When should I fertilise?
• I have a lot of annual meadow grass in my lawn. What can I do about it?
• What should I do about moss?
• Which fertiliser should I use?
• What is scarifying?
• What is the ideal grass height for winter?
• How can I renovate an old lawn without re-seeding?
• How do I mow grass?
• When should I water?
• When should I mow for the first time after seeding?

 

When is it best to fertilise after seeding? [Top]

Grass plants survive the first four to six weeks on the reserves from the seed. The plants do need water very regularly! After this period, it is advisable to help the grass plant by fertilising so the grass grows dense quickly and does not leave room for weeds.

 

When should I fertilise? [Top]

This depends on the fertiliser you use. Some fertilisers are long-acting and released throughout the whole season. There are also fast-acting fertilisers that are released in two months. In short, follow the instructions on the pack.

 

I have a lot of annual meadow grass in my lawn. What can I do about it? [Top]

First check the growing conditions: is there enough light, air circulation, moisture and nutrients? And does the soil allow water to infiltrate easily, and is it not compacted? Make sure these conditions are optimal for the desired grasses. Unfortunately, there are no products to get rid of annual meadow grass. Annual meadow grass is a weed grass that occurs everywhere. It flowers very often and spreads quickly. Annual meadow grass only makes very shallow roots, which makes it susceptible to drought. A good method to combat annual meadow grass in the lawn is by not watering the existing turf for an extended period of time. This dries out the annual meadow grass. It can help to use the weather to do this: do not water during an extended dry spell and only mow to catch all the seeds. As soon as rain comes, scarify the existing grass so the dead annual meadow grass plants are removed as much as possible. Then sow with grass seed so the open spaces are covered with the desired grasses as quickly as possible.

 

What should I do about moss? [Top]

The most important thing is to provide optimum growing conditions for the grass so it can out-compete the moss. This means adequate light, moisture and nutrition. Also choose the right grass mixture for your situation. It will have the best chance of success, minimising the chance of moss invasion. If you have moss, you can remove it by scarifying. Check the pH of the soil: is it below 5.5? If so, liming can help improve the growing conditions for grass. Moss can also take over if you mow too short, especially in shady areas..

 

Which fertiliser should I use? [Top]

There are several types of fertilisers: long-acting and short-acting, organic or mineral fertilisers. They all contain NPK as their basis, supplemented for example with magnesium. The response of the grass can vary. Choose a fertiliser of your choice and follow the instructions on the pack.

 

What is scarifying? [Top]

Scarifying (dethatching) means mowing vertically. By cutting vertically into the turf, old grass clippings and accumulated non-decomposed organic material (thatch) can be cleared away quickly. This material often creates poorer growing conditions and can become a breeding ground for harmful fungi. Scarifying allows air to enter and exit the soil, stimulating grass growth and soil life. Cutting grass plants often creates new offshoots that give rise to new grass plants and a dense turf.

 

What is the ideal grass height for winter? [Top]

There is no ideal grass height, but the more leaves a grass plant has, the faster it can respond to rising temperatures and sunshine in spring. On the other hand, grass that is too long can retain a lot of moisture. This can create good growing conditions for harmful fungi.

 

How can I renovate an old lawn without re-seeding? [Top]

Mow the lawn at the shortest mower setting. Scarify the turf at the deepest setting in two directions. The second pass should preferably be angled or perpendicular to the first pass to create 'squares' or 'blocks'. Remove all grass and weed residues. Spread the grass seed in the quantity indicated and rake it into the existing grass as well as possible so it is well covered. Water regularly when it is not raining.

 

How do I mow grass? [Top]

Check the mowing height at which the lawn mower is set. Do not mow off more than 2/3 of the grass plant. If the lawnmower is set at 4 cm, for example, mow when the grass is 6 cm long (4 = 2/3 x 6). If the grass is not collected or mulched by the machine, rake up the grass clippings and dispose of them. Use a trimmer or grass shears to cut the edges of the grass. It is advisable to mow twice as often with a mulching mower in periods when the vegetation is growing quickly.

 

When should I water? [Top]

Precipitation in the form of rain is best for the grass. Start watering when the grass begins to show the first signs of drought. As soon as the colour of the grass becomes duller, it is time to start watering. It is better for the lawn to water occasionally and for a long time, rather than frequently and briefly. The water will then sink in deeply and the plant will develop deeper roots, which will benefit its drought tolerance. If small amounts are given often, the grass will keep its roots shallow and therefore need watering more often on dry and hot days. Preferably water in the evening or early morning so the moisture benefits the plant and does not scorch immediately.

 

When should I mow for the first time after seeding? [Top]

Once the grass has reached a length of 6 to 8 cm, it can be mown for the first time. Roll the lawn before mowing for the first time so the grass is not scalped due to any unevenness. Make sure no more than 1/3 of the leaf is cut at any one time.