Gardening.ie

Feeding
Feeding with a lawn fertiliser will make it greener and thicker, which helps it resist weeds and moss. There are different formulations depending on when you apply.



Filling hollows
If your lawn has a sunken patch, repair by making an H-shaped spade cut across it with a half-moon edging tool and then peel back the two flaps of turf over the hollow. Add some topsoil, level and firm down the flaps. Fill in the gaps left by the cuts with more topsoil.



Removing weeds
Learn to tolerate a few weeds in the lawn or you will be out every day pulling them up, but if small patches or single weeds need to be removed, pull up by hand with the help of a fork. This helps to get the deeper roots of perennial weeds out.



Surviving dry weather
During long dry spells, mow less frequently, let grass grow longer and don't use summer feeds that will make lots of new growth. There isn’t much chance of our lawns going brown this summer. If they do then don’t worry, they will recover in autumn.



Worn areas
If part of the lawn is used regularly as a path, prevent it from becoming worn away by laying stepping-stones. Dig out paving-slab slices of turf and set these just beneath the surface of the lawn so a lawn mower can pass over them safely



Trimming edges
Tidying lawn edges keeps the grass looking neat and prevents it from spreading into borders. After mowing, trim any grass that overhangs the edges with long-handled edging shears or a rotary trimmer.



Repairing edges
Parts of an edge that have been severely damaged are easy to repair. Use a spade to slice through the turf, cutting out a small rectangular piece from around the damaged area. Lift from the ground with the spade and turn it around, so the damaged part now faces the lawn. Press down firmly and fill the damaged area with compost. Sow grass seed over the compost and water.

Hello

I have a lot of moss in my lawn. I have been giving the grass a long cut to try and suffocate the moss. I have just been told that you should scalp the grass to get rid of the problem. They are conflicting reports and I dont know what to do ..... any ideas?

Hi Mark and welcome to the Forum!


Scalping the grass is not a good idea,it weakens the sward and gives the moss more room to grow. Correcting the drainage is the way to go but if this isn't possible give the lawn a dose of sulphate of iron. This will burn off the unwanted moss. It cna then be raked out.

We have an area of mossy ground and I quite like it. It's soft and springy to walk on!!

It's all down to personal choice I suppose!

Cheers

Ian