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LAWN CARE A lawn needs as much care and attention as any part of the garden. Mowing is not enough; weed control, moss control, grass nutrition and soil care are all essential. ALL SEASON Regular cutting with a sharp, well maintained machine. Fine grass should be cut to a height of 12mm (1/2”) and rye grass lawns to a height of 2.5cm (1”). The grass can be left a little longer in winter. Never remove more than one third of the leaf growth at a time. Removal of clippings discourages earthworms; lessens the spread of annual meadow grass and other weeds; reduces thatch (organic rubbish on soil surface) and gives a better surface finish. Leaf clippings on the surface increases the thatch and encourages earthworms. Clumps must be raked off otherwise they kill the grass beneath and encourage fungal disease. Where clippings are left on the surface apply only one third of the fertiliser recommended below. SPRING Use an aerator to relieve winter compaction, assist drainage and get air to the roots. After aeration, make a single pass with a light roller to settle the surface. Apply 100gm per m2 of a fertiliser containing 10% nitrogen, 2% phosphate and 7% potash. Split this into three applications four weeks apart. In dry weather water the fertiliser in. Fertiliser can be granular or liquid but must be applied evenly. Avoid spills as they burn the grass. Treat persistent weeds by spraying with a hormone weed killer on a day when no rain is forecast. If weeds re-appear, apply a second treatment a few weeks later. SUMMER Make a single pass with a slitter every two weeks. Water during dry weather. Wet to a depth of 10cm (4”) but avoid giving too much water by adjusting the time between waterings - this will depend on weather conditions and soil type. Apply a hormone weed killer if necessary. AUTUMN Scarify in two directions to remove thatch and creeping weeds -- make two passes in opposite directions. Collect surface material left by scarifier. Relieve summer compaction with an aerator. WINTER Keep off the lawn as much as possible - especially during frosty or wet weather. Text on grass care supplied by Bernard Salt