Getting the most out of your lawn

Having a wonderful green lawn is what we all desire most in our gardens. By mowing, feeding and watering it correctly, you will have a lush lawn to enjoy right throughout the year.

The different varieties of grass

There is a wide variety of grasses available, but here are some of the most common types found in Zimbabwe.

Kikuyu grass

Pennisetum clandestinum

Kikuyu is one of the most popular grasses, as it is a tough, coarse grass that gets finer with regular mowing. It does tend to be invasive and is difficult to eradicate once established. Regular watering is required to give it a lush look.

Buffalo grass

Stenotaphrum secundatum

Buffalo is a hardy broad leaf indigenous grass, which is best suited for gardens that do not have much access to water. Buffalo lawns are also low growing and therefore require less maintenance.

Durban grass

Dactyloctenium australe

Durban grass is a wonderful soft emerald green lawn, which grows well in full sun and shade. However, the wonderful soft lush look comes at a price, as it requires a lot of watering.

Feeding your lawn

There is no hard rule on fertilising your lawn as it all depends on how much water you have as well as how much you are willing to spend on fertiliser. Just remember that fertilising will help establish a thick, weed free lawn.

Just remember that fertilising will help establish a thick weed free lawn.

Generally, Lawnfert is the best fertiliser to use, as it is rich in nitrogen, which is an essential nutrient to get a lush green lawn. Scatter one handful over a square metre and make sure you apply it to dry lawn. As soon as you have scattered it, water it in immediately, otherwise, apply it just before rain. Some fertilisers tend to burn lawns if not watered in.

If you have access to water throughout the year, apply fertiliser every 6 weeks in summer and every 8 weeks in winter. If you do not have much water, apply it as soon as the rains have come or when you think your lawn needs a bit of greening up. When the weather starts to cool off in May, it is not necessary to fertilise as grass stops growing in the cooler months.

Watering

Like feeding, watering all depends on how much water you have available and the type of lawn you have too. Generally, if you have water, water once a week in summer and fortnightly or monthly in winter.

In winter, the grass is not growing as vigorously so you can afford not to water as much. However, you do not want it to die off so water when necessary. In winter, make sure you water only in the morning to give your ground time to warm up. Generally, you should never water at midday, as the water will be evaporated.

To get a water wise lawn, water it well once a week as this will encourage deeper root growth.

In the hot dry months, increase your watering to weekly or more if you have the access. During the wet months, if there is a dry spell, water when necessary. To get a water wise lawn, water it well once a week as this will encourage deeper root growth.

Mowing

Grass consists of three parts: the root system, which absorbs nutrients from the soil, a stem to support the foliage, and the top green growth, which makes food by absorbing moisture and sunlight. Cutting the grass down to its stem reduces its food manufacturing ability, damages the crown, and exposes the roots to sunlight. Too much of this and the grass will die so ensure that when you mow regularly, the blades are not too low.

Regular cutting in summer is the secret to improving your lawn as it encourages new growth and gives you a thick lush lawn.

 In summer, lawns grow vigorously the more you water and feed them. It is important to mow frequently and not to mow too low in summer. Regular cutting in summer is the secret to improving your lawn as it encourages new growth and gives you a thick lush lawn. A thick well established lawn will also help to push out the weeds. In the growing season, try and mow at least once a week, however, it all depends on the grass you have and how quickly it is growing. Buffalo only requires mowing every two weeks whereas Durban requires more.

In winter, growth slows down so you won’t have to cut quite so frequently. It is best to mow only when you think your lawn looks like it is in need of a mow and a tidy up. Just remember it is essential to have a good lawn mower so your lawn has an even look.

Aerating your lawn

Aeration is also important for your lawn as it breaks up the compacted roots and allows water to go down deeper. The best time to aerate the lawn is just before the wet season. Aerate by pushing in a large garden fork every 30 cm. It is important to aerate in compacted high traffic areas. It is a good idea to aerate your lawn before you top dress.

Applying topsoil to your lawn

Topsoil is applied to feed your lawn and encourage new growth; it can also be applied to help level depressions. A good mixture of topsoil should include soil, manure and compost, which has been sieved well; you can also mix in Lawnfert with topsoil but remember to water in well once it has been spread over the lawn. Make sure the topsoil does not have any weeds in it; sterilise it by baking it in the sun in between black plastic to kill the weeds.

Topsoil is applied to feed your lawn and encourage new growth; it can also be applied to help level depressions.

The best time to apply topsoil is in August and September as this is when the new shoots start appearing. To top dress your lawn:

• Mow the lawn on a lower setting.
• Apply the topsoil lightly and then level it over by raking it in.
• Make sure it has been raked evenly and there are no clumps. Don’t apply it too thickly as you will smother the grass.
• As soon as it has been levelled, water in.
• Only mow once the grass is well established.