Actually the requirements for lawns will vary depending on factors such as soil type, amount of sunlight, traffic and wear and tear, drainage and climate. If you are unsure, speak to a qualified green keeper or qualified gardener to draw up a programme specially for your lawn.

Mowing

A quality luxury domestic lawn requires mowing at least fortnightly initially as from mid March to weekly through the season, until October, with either a rotary with roller and  box or cylinder mower.

A luxury class lawn (example above) is mown frequently with a cylinder mower 1-2 times per week at around 8-10mm, increasing height to cope with drought conditions when necessary.  This gives a 1st class surface.  If you want a lawn suitable for golf putting practice you need to take it down to about 5mm but that will depend on the grass species and lawn levels.

Feeding

Do not overfeed!  Maintain adequate growth rates by applying the right amount of  fertiliser in spring, and again in summer when conditions permit.  This will ensure the sward remains healthy and stand up to daily wear and tear from children and adults.  Never apply spring summer fertiliser in autumn. It will encourage fungal diseases.  It is beneficial to use an Autumn Winter fertiliser in October.

Lawn Treatments

In the autumn and spring apply mosskiller.  This could be an lawn sand based mosskiller, when rain is imminent within a couple of days.  This will hit the moss and encourage the grass to replace the moss.

For special occasions e.g. a garden party, or just to give your lawn a tonic apply a liquid based iron and micro nutrient feed around 10 days prior.   This will give a deep green finish to the sward.

Occasionally scarify lightly with a machine or lawn rake, to discourage grass weeds such as moss and comb the sward upright before cutting.

Apply selective weedkiller to any weeds you see over the spring and summer if you wish to have a weed free lawn.

Monitor your lawn all year round for signs of fungal diseases. Fusarium patch or snow mould is quite common from September until March in the UK.  Treatment with a systemic fungicide in the autumn may be necessary.

Some treatments can be dual acting and eliminate earth worms and insects. Worms can cause problems in fine turf. In the average lawn they are beneficial.  See our newlsetter issues 4 & 5 for details of the leather jacket. This insect can devastate entire lawns by consuming the roots.

Remember... Much of the work for a top class lawn takes place at the end or weather permitting out of the growing season

Scarify at least once per year (over the autumn/ winter) to remove any thatch, dead grass and moss. Apply a mosskiller or autumn/winter fertiliser if necessary will ensure that your lawn will be growing sufficiently over the winter.

If you have drainage problems consider installing land drains, improving the rootzone to enable surface water to drain away is also worth trying. Deep spiking, (hollow tining if possible) and adding coarse sand can help.  In some instancies a drainage system may be reuqired.

Top Dress Annually

One of the most beneficial lawn operations is top dressing with special weed free 70/30 compost.  This is undertaken every year on green and top quality lawns - especially after spiking. It is applied and then incorporated with the use of a tru-lute. This ensures a surface free from lumps and bumps and helps counter damage and compaction from daily traffic.

Ensure that piles of debris or compost are not left on lawns. It can take up to 8 weeks for lawns to recover and may require day to day attention such as seeding any patches.

Autumn / Winter

Leaves should be removed from the surface and edges regularly (weekly) during the autumn/winter.

Further Help and Advice

More info is available is available on the RHS web site at www.rhs.org.uk

For safety you should follow the manufacturers label recommendations at all times.

Engaging the services of a qualified professional will help ensure that your lawn is properly treated at the correct rates and prevent mishaps such as scorched patches