SUMMER LAWN CARE – EASY STEPS

Feeding : Apply a high nitrogen fertiliser every 4 to 6 weeks and water well immediately after application. (LAN or a 7:1:3 formulation are ideal).

Watering: Water the lawn if there are signs of summer heat fatigue. Browning and discolouration are symptomatic. Grey water from the household works well.

Weeding: Keep a look out for weeds. Use selective broad leaf herbicides to control those types. Generally the regular mowing in summer reduces the visible weed infestation significantly.

Mowing: Lower the cutting level of the mower slightly and cut more often during periods of vigorous grass growth. Remember that you should never remove more than 0ne third of the length of a leaf blade with each mowing.

Edging: Keep edged trimmed neatly. Do this more often during summer. Do not dig out huge tracts of soil at the edge of the lawn.

Pests and diseases: Army worm or lawn caterpillar can be rife during the first three months of the year. Be on the look out for bare patches developing. The caterpillars are nocturnal and are best searched for by torch light. Treat immediately with a pesticide registered for the control of this summer pest.