This Garden How to Guide from Mitre 10 provides advice on lawn care and lawn mowing. How can you get green grass and grow grass that is weed free? Read on...!

To guarantee a strong, healthy, weed free lawn that will remain green throughout summer, you will need to water and mow regularly and apply lawn fertiliser every two to three months.

Lawn Mowing

Mow your grass frequently. The blade setting should be on high to encourage new growth. If the blade height is set too low, you will mow your lawn too short and the grass will become weakened. If your grass gets too high and is not cut regularly, unwanted weeds and coarse grass become dominant.

In periods of growth, the average lawn should be cut to a height of 2.5cm and in slow growth periods, mow lawns to 3cm. This will help strengthen the grass, thicken it to minimise competition from weeds and encourage deeper root growth which, in turn, makes the lawn more drought resistant. This will result in a greener, healthier lawn.

Keeping a sharp blade on the mower and removing clippings will help reduce disease problems. Mulching mowers are available which cut the grass up finely and so there is no need for a catcher to collect grass clippings.

Avoid mowing the lawn immediately after heavy rain, as this will increase soil compaction and lead to poor water penetration.

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Watering Lawns

A good soaking once a week in summer will be all that is needed. This is more beneficial than a light sprinkling every day. Light, sandy soils may require watering every two days. A sprinkler system or soaker hose is the most efficient way to water lawns.

If "run-off" is a problem, especially on steep slopes with clay soils, use a fine spray for short (five minute) periods per watering. Improve soil structure using a peat and sand mix and spike or aerate the lawn.

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Feeding Lawns

Regular feeding is essential to produce a green, healthy lawn that is less vulnerable to weeds. Lawn fertiliser or lawn food is usually applied in spring and autumn.

Use a specially blended lawn fertiliser that is high in nitrogen and always water in well after applying fertiliser to prevent burning. (Many gardeners like to apply fertiliser on a rainy day.) Spread the fertiliser as evenly as possible.

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Aeration

The best times to aerate the soil are in spring and autumn, when the grass is actively growing and the weather is damp. It is worth doing every year if you have clay soil. Use a garden fork and spike the lawn all over using a straight up and down motion. The holes should be around 10cm deep and 15cm apart. This breaks down the compacted soil and lets water drain away.

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Lawn Repair - Patching Up

	Select the lawn seed which is nearest to the grass species already established.
	Clear the area to be patched up and create a seed bed using a rake and some added soil.
	Sow and treat as directed for new lawns.

Common Problems and Easy Solutions

Onehunga Weed: This has a nasty little prickle that can invade the lawn. Onehunga weed is best controlled by weedkiller specifically formulated for it. Apply in October when the plant is in flower.

Moss: Moss will often grow in shady areas, especially under trees. Cut back the lower branches of the tree to increase sunlight hours. A lack of drainage may also be a problem. Use a garden fork and spike the area to aerate it. Feed your lawn or apply a moss control product. Once the moss is gone you will need to re-seed that area.

Broadleaf Weeds: A broadleaf weed is the general term given to anything but a grass growing in your lawn. Apply a lawn broadleaf weedkiller as they are formulated to not kill the grass. These sprays can be used as a spot spray.

Grass Grub: Grass grubs are the most commonly experienced pest problem for lawns. The larvae feed on the grass roots causing stunted growth and yellow/brown patches as parts of lawn die off. The adults feed on the foliage. You can purchase a granular insecticide that will control these grubs but you could also try watering infrequently but more deeply, in effect flooding the lawn.

Porina: Feeds on the grass but not the roots, chewing the grass off at ground level. The grub is grey and can grow up to 6cm. Treat as per Grass Grub.

Note: Earthworms will leave small mounds of castings. This is a sign of a healthy lawn. Earthworms aerate the soil and add nutrients back into it.

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