Managing A Water Logged Lawn

By admin | Lawn Care

Managing A Water Logged Lawn

Gloucestershire Turf have been providing our turf and landscaping smarts to the region for a generation. Through that time we’ve witnessed seasonal extremes including droughts and record rainfall. This post is dedicated to managing a water logged lawn.

In 2007 Gloucestershire witnessed “The Floods”. A spell of unrelenting summer rain culminating 78mm of rainfail on July 20th. This period of history is now bookmarked as the wettest June and July since records began in 1776.

The weather of Spring 2018 was another historic chapter in Gloucestershire weather patterns and for landscaping companies. It was the wettest April in over a decade. Turf fields were been deluged by rain, followed by snow and yet more rain again. This has resulted in a backlog of orders as our clients have patiently waited for conditions to improve so we can execute your orders.

Aeration, Footfall and Recovery

A water logged lawn occurs when water sits on the surface of the soil and drains slowly and in some cases not at all. Once the water settles, oxygen is unable to penetrate the roots. The result is a lawn that is unable to grow and susceptible to turf diseases.

Our goal here is to aid drainage so that your lawn can absorb oxygen and sunlight again. Our first step is to aerate, or pierce the surface, of your lawn. While there are many devices on the market for this, including aeration boots, a trusty garden rake will suffice.

As the weather clears and the water disperses be sure to keep footfall on the lawn to a minimum. Spot check the lawn to remove any debris and any over traits of turf diseases. If you’re is in a state of dis-repair you may consider stripping the surface and laying a new bed of turf.

It’s worth noting that water logging, even under moderate rainfall, can often be caused by poor landscaping. Before turf or seeding your new lawn the soil needs to be adequately prepared to ensure there is adequate drainage. This is particularly important when dealing clay or heavily compacted soils.

Does your lawn need rehab or do you need to start afresh? If you’re in doubt, please contact our team of turf suppliers in Gloucestershire. Our landscapers are friendly, helpful and go the extra yard to ensure the job is completed to your satisfaction.

Winter Lawn Care Tips

By admin | Lawn Care

What’s the best time of year to order turf?

Will turf become established in the winter?

Should we wait until the spring?

Are just a few of the questions we field from our clients. In reality, turf can be ordered throughout the year. The only exceptions are heavy flooding or snow. That said, for your turf to become established and healthy you need to apply lawn care fundamentals. This post is dedicated to winter lawn care. Visit our homepage to learn more about our services. 

Your Lawns ‘Off-Season’. When Less Is More …

Whether your lawn has been freshly laid, or it’s braving its first winter, you need to customize your approach for the season in hand. Winter is your lawns ‘off season’.

Mowing Height

Much like hair, during the summer grass growth accelerates and slows during the winter. As Autumn comes to a close reduce your mowing height to its minimum setting. Long blades trap moisture and create an environment that fosters fungal disease. 

Hydration

Unless your lawn has just been laid, watering your lawn isn’t necessary over the winter months.  If your lawn has just been laid, you should use a hosepipe or sprinkler for up to an hour a day. This aside, you should allow mother natures cool temperatures and rainfall to take care of the rest.

Aeration

Aerification is the practice of using a garden fork to pierce your lawn. This process is used to reduce compaction, aid drainage and allow oxygen to penetrate the roots. This process is generally beneficial through the year. However, in winter aeration should be applied sparingly. And avoided as temperatures drop. 

Scarify

Scarification is gardening parlance for raking and removing debris from the lawn bed. Left to fester branches, leaves and moss can cause thatching and become a breeding ground for disease. Carry out regular spot checks on your garden and remove these debris. 

Regardless of whether you’re managing a pre-existing lawn, or if you’re reading these words after your turf is freshly laid, these winter lawn care tips will guide you. Winter lawn-care needn’t be aggressive, but it is vital for enduring lawn health.