Latest from the Lawnscience Blog
23 June 2010
UK Summer Drought Predicted - How To Keep Your Lawn Lush & Green
The Environment Agency has warned that parts of England will be at risk of drought this summer due to the unusually dry start to the year.
Despite the winter downfall, large parts of the country have recorded below average rainfall every month of the year so far.
The Met Office have also warned that drought could become more likely over time due to climate change. With a hot barmy summer predicted, now is the time to take action to prevent our lawns becoming a casualty of drought.
By following our lawn cutting tips, and applying the correct Lawnscience wetting agent when necessary, you can maintain a lush, green beautiful lawn.
Cutting Your Lawn
Cutting can cause stress for your lawn, but it is vital over the summer months. Try to mow when the grass is dry, if not you will run the risk of ripping the grass which can cause discolouration to the lawn.
Correct Cutting
Cutting your grass to the correct length is vital to its well being. The grass plant is designed to have a long leaf – 1.5 – 2 inches is fine. A longer leaf is a healthier leaf.
If the leaves of the grass are left longer, the grass leaves take in as much of the sun’s energy and carbon dioxide as possible and use these in the process of photosynthesis to produce simple carbohydrates.
These carbohydrates are transmitted through to the grass roots giving them energy to grow. It is extremely important for grass to have long roots as this helps to protect it against drought.
When grass is cut too short, there is less leaf to absorb the sun’s energy which means the roots will be shorter and therefore weaker. In any case never mow off more than one third of the grass blade in one mow because a drastic decrease in height can shock the plant affecting its appearance.
Longer leaves mean bigger roots which is great for grass and helps them harvest more water from the ground.
Prevent Dry Patch
Dry Patch can occur in lawns after prolonged dry periods, similar to those predicted for this summer.
When Dry Patch occurs, the soil in the lawn becomes coated in a waxy substance causing it to become water repellent.
Once this occurs and the soil becomes hydrophobic, it is very difficult to rehydrate even after substantial rain fall.
Symptoms of Dry Patch are the appearance of straw patches on the lawn. The soil underneath these patches is completely dry. Once the problem occurs, it can be difficult to treat. With the correct care however, this condition can be easily prevented.
Regular watering is essential. Water at cooler times of the day, either early morning or late evening, to prevent evaporation and essential moisture being lost. A light sprinkling everyday is far less beneficial than a deep soaking two or three times a week. This will allow water to reach deeper into the roots of the lawn.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
It is far better to prevent Dry Patch than treat it. A wetting agent can be applied which will aid water penetration into the soil profile, reducing surface run off in high spots and prevent puddling in low spots.
It also reduces the amount of irrigation or watering needed to maintain the health of the lawn during dry periods.
If you would like any further advice or information, please contact your local Lawnscience office
10 June 2010
Watering Your Lawn
Watering
Sometimes during Late spring and summer we experience long dry, hot periods and this is when drought can occur. The lawn can turn brown and straw coloured and will cause the lawn to become stressed. If a lawn is regularly watered and maintained then this can be avoided.
Dry Patch
If lawns are allowed to become too dry they can develop “Dry Patch” the symptoms are patchy areas of straw coloured grass. If this occurs watering becomes relavilty ineffective as the soil particles develop a waxy covering which repels the water applied. The solution is to apply a Wetting Agent, which will break down the waxy covering and encourage the soil to accept water again.
When To Water
Early morning is the best time to water your lawn as the temperatures are cooler and the water is less likely to evaporate or transpirate. Watering at night is best avoided as this can leave the “canopy” humid over night which increases the likelihood of fungal diseases occuring on your lawn.
How Much To Water
A deep soaking twice a week is much more beneficial than a light sprinkling every day. This will promote stronger deeper roots and the lawn will be less likely to dry out. A lawn requires 1 to 1/2 inches of rainfall a week. If you are unsure about the amount of rainfall there has been, then a rain gauge is a useful way of checking.
If however we experience heavy summer rainfall then it is advisable to check that your lawn can breathe and is not holding too much water. Use a fork or spike where water has lain the longest.
Water Conservation
With a hot barmy summer predicted, now is a perfect time to make the most of the rainfall we have. A water butt is a sensible low cost option which is ideal for collecting rain water for a later date. When we have long dry periods, water can become rationed and this makes gardening in these areas challenging and difficult.
Investment in a good rubber hose is essential. Hoses have a limited life span. The lower the quality, the more likely they are to perish, especially in the hot sun. Check the hose is properly installed and washers are not faulty to minimise water loss.
If time is an issue, then an irrigation system can be installed but this is more costly. Once in place however it will save time and water, directing water where it is needed the most.
If you would like any further advice about watering, please contact your local Lawnscience office.
1 June 2010
Garden Pests - The Chafer Grub
A combination of chafer grubs and the larger animals such as birds, badgers and foxes that feed on them can quickly turn a neat lawn into something that resembles a ploughed field.
Chafer grubs are the larvae of soil-dwelling larvae of chafer beetles. They live in the soil feeding on plant roots causing lawns to become yellowish in colour.
They have white bodies which curve into a C shape and can be about 3/4 inch in length. Poorly maintained lawns are more susceptible to damage, so attention paid to feeding, watering and moss prevention will help avoid damaging infestations.
The best time for treatment is in June to July, when the more vulnerable young larvae are present. If you would like advice about the presence of Chafer Grubs and any other garden pests in your lawns, please contact your local Lawnscience Office and we will be happy to visit you and advise you if any treatment is necessary.
