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How to get the perfect lawn

Creating a flawless lawn requires a bit of extra care and attention, but the results are worth it. We often hear people asking for advice on how to get the perfect lawn, and the truth is that it’s not a massive task to undertake! By following our tips, you will be well on your way to achieving a perfect garden lawn!

How to get the perfect lawn

How to get the perfect lawn in 8 simple steps

If your lawn is in disrepair or if you've been struggling to get it looking right for some time, thinking of how to get the perfect lawn can seem like a far-off dream. That's why we created this resource of quick tips, with links to our guides, which take you through the steps (from sowing grass seed to feeding, mowing and aftercare) and get you over the hurdles to help you achieve the immaculate lawn you've been dreaming of!

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1) Preparing soil for grass seed

Get rid of weeds and moss

Remove weeds and moss by hand using a trowel to dig them out. If weeds or moss are a larger problem on your lawn, then using a lawn feed weed and moss killer like our 3 IN 1 Rescue will do the work for you and boost it with nutrients for better, healthier growth!

Remove sticks, stones and debris

Garden soil can contain stones, rocks and sometimes even leftover building materials if you’ve recently moved into a new build home. If you don’t remove them, your grass seed growth could be patchy and less pristine than you had hoped. Clearing away anything you don’t want to see on your lawn will improve how well your grass seed grows and make mowing your lawn easier!

Aerate the soil

Aerating your soil creates small holes which allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the grassroots. This encourages deeper root growth for healthier grass and will help you get the stunning garden lawn you’re after!

Aerate with a garden fork for smaller gardens

You can aerate your lawn with a garden fork if you have a smaller lawn and if the soil isn’t overly compacted. Dig your fork into the soil about 3cm deep and wiggle it around in circular motions, creating four holes each time. Continue to do this across your lawn and your body weight to drive the fork into the ground in areas where the soil is compacted more.

Use a hollow-tine aerator or corer for a larger lawn

Larger lawns are best aerated using a hollow-tine aerator or corer, which will remove plugs of soil for longer-lasting results. Using a hollow-tine aerator is also a great process to carry out if you have an ornamental lawn.

A similar process applies when using a hollow-tine aerator as when using a garden fork. Dig the aerator 3cm into the soil, but this tool will remove the core of the soil, and you pull the hollow-tine aerator back up again. Be sure to remove these cores of soil from your lawn’s surface, and you can use these in other areas of your garden or for filler when levelling your lawn.

Levelling your lawn

Smaller dips can be levelled quickly by applying topsoil to the dipped area. Then, use a lawn levelling rake to make sure it’s level with the rest of your garden. If you don’t have a lawn levelling rake and depending on the size of the area, you can use your garden fork or the back of a traditional garden rake. Make sure to use topsoil and not compost, as compost will break down over time.

2) Choosing the best grass seed for the perfect lawn

The best grass seed to achieve the perfect lawn will be a mixture of seed types that grow well in a range of conditions and provide reliable all-year-round growth.

We have grass seed mixes expertly blended to grow quickly and recover from wear and tear, and we have specialist seed suited to ornamental lawns, lawns in the shade and gardens that feature clay soils (commonly found in new-build houses’ gardens).

3) Sowing your grass seed

Sowing grass seed is not a difficult task, but planning ahead and following our guide on how to plant grass seed will make it much easier for you! The key things to remember:

  • Check your local weather forecast
  • Grass seed requires temperatures of 10°C day and night for at least two weeks
  • Keep an eye out for cold snaps or a cold weather front approaching
  • For these reasons, it’s best to avoid sowing grass seed in winter, at the end of November and in early spring
  • Make sure you’ve selected the best grass seed for your lawn
  • Prepare the seedbed to perfection to give your grass seed the best growth
  • Carefully sow your seed, making sure to get even coverage across your garden
  • Water and maintain your lawn for the following weeks, but we go into more detail on watering your grass below!

4) Knowing how often and when to water grass seed

Since we get rainfall frequently in the UK, watering your lawn is probably not on most people’s list of priorities. But watering newly planted grass seeds is essential to getting the perfect lawn.

Water your lawn well

Regardless of the size of the project, it would be best if you watered your grass seedlings daily and deeply for the first six weeks to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance. A watering can or your garden hose is fine for watering smaller areas. A timed sprinkler is better if you’re reseeding a larger garden or planting a brand-new lawn.

Watering deeply means ensuring all lawn areas receive one inch of water across the surface.

Remember, if the soil goes dry, your lawn will not produce the results you are after. This is why keeping your soil and seedlings moist is one of the most important things to encourage them to grow.

5) Tips for mowing your lawn

  • Keep your mower blade sharp
  • Set your mower to the right height
  • Adjust the mower’s cutting height to the recommended level for your grass type
  • Mow at 20-40mm for lawns that get a lot of use
  • A fine or ornamental lawn can be mowed shorter to 10-20mm
  • Cutting too short weakens the grass and invites weeds and diseases
  • Don’t cut more than one-third of the grass height at a time
  • Rake up and collect your clippings after mowing

6) Fertilising and Weed Control

Apply a balanced fertiliser

Just like grass seed, choosing the best lawn food for getting the perfect lawn is one that is suitable for the time of year, and how fast acting or slow-releasing you want it to be. Different lawn food products do different things for your lawn; they work over a shorter or longer amount of time and are intended to be used in spring/summer or autumn/winter.

Address weeds as soon as they appear

Regularly check for weeds and remove them by hand as they appear. Consider using a feed, weed and mosskiller if weeds become frequent, which will also feed your grass to help it build up strength to combat them.

7) Perfect your lawn by maintaining it

Clear away debris

Keep your lawn clear of branches, leaves or any other debris that the passing seasons garnish it with. Regularly raking and brushing away fallen leaves in autumn is a good way to keep your grass growing healthy, and you could consider adding the leaves to a compost heap in your garden.

Overseed and dethatch

Fill in bare patches by overseeding, and dethatch using a rake if excessive thatch builds up. This allows water and nutrients to reach the grassroots.

8) Pest and Disease Management

Monitor for pests and diseases

Keep an eye out for signs of common lawn pests, like grubs or insect damage, and diseases, such as brown patches or fungal infections. Then, take appropriate measures using natural treatments to control them.

Knowing how to get the perfect lawn

Remember, the steps we outlined on how to get a perfect lawn take a bit of time and effort. But if you stay consistent, be patient, and keep on top of your garden’s needs, you will have the lawn you’ve been dreaming of in no time!

Please get in touch if you have any questions on how to get the perfect lawn or anything else grass, lawn-food or wildflower related; we are always happy to help!

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