How to get your lawn to that ‘lush deep green’ colour & why it will help when repelling pests and diseases
THERE’S nothing like looking out onto a freshly cut bright green lawn on a sunny day.
But you don’t need to pay a fortune to get a professional gardener to have your lawn looking fresh like Wembley Stadium.
As it all comes down to how you maintain it, and sometimes that’s just a bit of tender, loving care.
Although some might find it a challenge, experts believe that once you’ve got the knack of it, there’s no going back.
As we now start to hit the other side of May and approach the summer months, many of those with gardens may start to notice their lawn might be drying up as the rain becomes less frequent.
Which is why experts believe that it is crucial that gardening fans focus on their lawn, and feed it with the essential nutrients it needs.
This includes nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus to encourage robust growth before the summer months, but there’s a DIY one that doesn’t sound so complicated.
With the arrival of summer comes higher temperatures and potential droughts.
Andrew Huber, a gardening and lawncare expert from The Lawn Squad, believes a well-nourished lawn is the perfect concoction that will be able to help you to achieve a “lush, deep green lawn.”
He explained that fertiliser isn’t just about growing your grass, but it is about nurturing it.
Andrew also explained that by doing so, it can also become its “own defence against pests, diseases and environmental stresses”.
And one of the best, cheapest and environmentally friendly ways is to use kitchen scraps and food waste.
Andrew recommended “turning kitchen scraps and yard waste into composted material” which can be both eco-friendly and great for your lawn.
He also added that coffee isn’t just great for a morning essential, as “it’s also great” for a bright green lawn.
Andrew explained that nitrogen-rich coffee grounds can be sprinkled on the lawn or mixed with water – about half a pound of coffee grounds to five gallons of water – to create the formula.
But going back to kitchen leftovers, Andrew mentioned that most will do the trick as well as a well-watered lawn.
To ensure the nutrients can do their magic, the gardening professional suggests cutting your grass a few days before adding the fertiliser.
Then soak your lawn with the nutrients, but be sure to check the weather as you don’t want a washout.
Then spritz the grass with a light watering – Andrew recommends a backpack sprayer.
But don’t just leave it there; be sure to carry out frequent checks and continue to add when necessary.
May gardening jobs
The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you need to crack on with in May.
GARDEN growth can go from nought to ninety in May, depending on the weather. The last UK frosts are generally seen at the beginning of the month, so all of a sudden there’s so much more to do and grow.
Plant out dahlia tubers
It’s a joy to finally plant out your dahlia tubers. Remember how big they can get – and space accordingly – anything up to half a metre apart.
It’s a good idea to put your support stakes in now instead of trying to work around them.
And make sure you include lots of well rotted manure or decent compost to feed it and then mulch to keep it moist and suppress weeds. They generally start blooming in July.
Final feed to Spring flowers
You can give a cheeky feed to all your remaining tulips and daffodils.
Although the majority of bulbs aren’t guaranteed to come back year after year any more, as long as you’ve left them to die back naturally there’s a good chance they’ll have stored enough energy to come back again. Tomato feed is fine.
Tie up climbers
Your clematis, honeysuckle and rambling roses should be well on their way by now – try to use plastic free string to tie them back into their support, or tuck them round each other to make sure they don’t sprout off in crazy directions.
Feed the lawn
It’s not too late to give your lawn a good feed.
Whether you use granular or liquid, it can give it a good boost to see it through the harsher summer months.
While mowing, don’t go too low with your cut length yet and never take more than a third off the grass height.
Get creative
It’s also time to get creative with hanging baskets and pots.
Trailing pelargoniums, which a lot of people call geraniums, and Begonias are a good, low cost way of getting lovely returning blooms throughout the summer in your baskets.
And pots can be planted with spring bulbs.
Don’t forget the greenhouse!
Give your greenhouse a good tidy and clean the glass inside and out.
The improved light will help plants grow quicker inside and tidying is good for the soul.
You can just use a household white wine vinegar and water solution – or even neat if you’re feeling spendy – which gives a really good shine.