| Lawns
used for playing on require hard wearing grass that will
prevent bare patches from appearing. Decide if the lawn
will seperate garden areas or attempt to bring them
together. Low cut grass with flowers around the edge or
on opposite sides can be visually pleasing. High grass
can create a wild garden effect and can be used as an
effective edging when planted with bulbous plants such
as daffodils the end results can be amazing. Varying the
height of the grass can also be effective providing a
mown path through a wildlife patch will encourage people
to walk through the garden and draws the eye to where
you want it to be. When designing the lawn area take
into account manageability, positioning and aesthetic
possibilities. |
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| When choosing
the shape of your lawn you need to decide what garden
style you are attempting to convey. Using geometric and symmetrical
patterns and shapes creates a stylish, formal feel to
your garden. Where space is minimal a circular lawn
bordered with plants and flowers is highly effective.
Using curved lines and leading and leading paths, lawns
can guide your eye around the garden. Using more than
one lawn can also create great movement in your garden.
Leading your eye from one to the other using planting
and paths and ending up at a focal point such as a
fountain can be very attractive. |
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| Lawns
automatically connect opposite ends of a garden by
drawing your eye from one part to another. When setting
a focal point in the centre of a lawn you will notice
the bordering plants create a backdrop rather than a
distraction. Breaking up a large section of lawn with
plants or trees helps to draw you into a garden. Your
eye is led over the variation of colours and textures
rather than just looking at an expanse of the same
colour. Use a variety of colours and textures and shapes
to compliment your lawn and to show it at its finest. |
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| When creating
paths instead of mowing narrow walkways that are going to
be subjected to hard wear and tear use stones or lay a
hard path. It looks attractive and will help to maintain
the appearance and general state of your lawn. See: Paving |
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| Any number of
things can be used to create an edge to your lawn.
Straight or defined circular edges can be mowed to give
a striking appearance. Stones and bricks can be laid to
provide permanent edging. |
| Plant
borders can provide a wonderful display all year round
and can create any style you desire. Anything from
carpet forming to large trees can accentuate a lawn and
show off its potential. Ornamental pots and containers
can also be placed around the edge to provide a
variation in levels and textures. |
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| There
are two well known groups into which turf grasses are
separated. Warm-season grasses and cool-season grasses.
Warm-season ones prefer temperatures from 26-35C,
(79-95F) and cool-season ones prefer 15-24C, (59-75F).
Generally it is better to not use warm-season grasses in
temperate places as they may not grow and will turn
brown in winter when they are dormant. |
| Generally
found in temperate climates ie the UK, cool-season
grasses are mainly used for lawns. With a variety of
different growing grasses to choose from you are bound
to find one that will suit your garden. Tolerant low
growing bents, wear resistant meadow, hard wearing
ryegrass and fine leaved fescues are all typical
cool-season grasses. Bents and fescues can tolerate
close mowing whereas the others cannot. |
| Warm-season
grasses found in South America and Africa etc are
adapted to survive in a range of warm climates. Using
grasses such as Bermuda, St Augustine and species of
Zoysia grass is most effective. Sow as a single species
turf as they survive much better that way. Warm-season
grasses lose colour below 10C (50F), so it may be
necessary to sow some cool-season grass to boost the
colour during the winter. |
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| Before
selecting which turf to lay or seeds to sow you need to
decide what purpose the lawn is. Different grass
mixtures provide different services and have a range of
various maintenance needs, appearance and wearability.
Some are better for heavy use whereas others look more
attractive in colour and texture. Ensure your grass
choice is suited to the position of your lawn area and
take into account the soil type, drainage and
shade. |
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| Select
grass species species that look attractive and have
uniform colour and texture to create high quality lawns.
Usually used for appearances only and not generally
needed for heavy wear high quality lawns can create a
perfectly formal area to your garden. |
| Cool-season:
Use grass mixtures containing fine leaved bents
and fescues to create a high quality lawn. |
| Warm-season:
Use cultivars of Bermuda and Zoysia grasses. |
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| Functional
lawns used for playing on and sitting on are utility
lawns. Generally hard wearing they still need to be
attractive and suited to the purpose required. |
| Cool-season:
Use perennial ryegrass mixed with real fescue,
highland bent, browntop or smoothed stalked meadow
grass. |
| Warm-season:
Use Bermuda grasses for a tough lawn. In shady
areas use St Augustine grass. Carpet grass, centipede
grass and bahia grass are all perfect for low
maintenance gardens. |
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| These
lawns require hard wearing species to be able to
tolerate wear and tear. Depending on which activities
are to be held on these lawns, different cultivars
should be used to gain the correct results. |
| Cool-season:
Suitable for lawns such as golf putting greens,
bowling greens and croquet lawns, grasses such as bents
and fescues are needed. Perennial ryegrass mixtures may
be of better use for surfaces that need to be extremely
hard wearing such as tennis lawns. |
| Warm-season:
Bermuda grasses provide hard wearing surfaces
but check which cultivar is more suited to the type of
lawn you need. |
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| Using
species that are native to the area will get you the
best results as they will look natural and grow well.
Choose a species best suited to the climate and soil
conditions. |
| Cool-season:
Bents and fescues are generally suited for this
purpose. |
| Warm-season:
Warm season grasses tend to overtake flowering
plants and are generally not used for this type of lawn
area. |
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| In
dry, wet and shady areas it is essential to choose a
grass that is suited to the conditions. For serious
problem areas grow ground cover plants for maximum
effect, |
| Cool-season:
For non heavy wear choose more tolerant grasses
such as rough stalked meadow grass and wood meadow
grass. Fescues grow in shady, wet areas. Turf timothy
can grow in non shaded moist areas. Choose native
species to grow in dry areas. |
| Warm-season:
In shade or on the coast choose St Augustine as
it is salt tolerant. |
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| When
creating a lawn that is for ornamental purposes,
evergreen species such as moss and chamomile are very
effective to use. Used in courtyard gardens or as a base
for a fountain or obelisk they are aesthetically
pleasing. Apple like fragrances are released from
chamomile lawns when stepped upon but they are not up to
heavy wear. |
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| When
first establishing a lawn you need to decide which
method to choose. Seeding is the cheapest option but the
lawn cannot be subjected to any wear and tear until at
least a year afterwards. This option is not recommended
if any pets are present that may disturb the young
seedlings before they have grown. Turfing is more expensive
but the effect is immediate and heavy wear can commence
after two to three months. |
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| Once
the size of the plot has been outlined and the expense
has been taken into account choosing the correct turf
for your lawn can be done. Use a reputable firm to buy
the turf from. Try to inspect it before you buy it to
check the condition and quality. Check for disease,
weeds and pests. |
| Purpose
grown turf: Used because of its disease and weed
free properties, purpose grown turf is raised from the
newest grass cultivars. |
| Meadow
turf: Usually the cheapest turf as it is grown
for agricultural purposes. Can differ in quality though
so it is best to inspect it first. |
| Sea
marsh turf: This contains bents and fine
fescues. Usually grown in estuaries its clay deposits
sometimes reduce tolerance to wear as drainage is
restricted. |
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| Where
possible try to lift and lay turf on the same day for
maximum results. If unavoidable roll it out and lay the
turf flat on a plastic sheeting or paved area. Try to
choose a shaded area and water well. Do not let it dry
out. It must be rolled out to receive sunlight otherwise
the grass will die. |
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Any
time of the year is suitable for laying turf. Lay on
moist soil to encourage rooting.
- Lay first row against
a straight edge ie a patio or path.
- Kneel on a plank on
the first row and lay the second row in a staggered
design as if building a brick wall.
- Using a rake, press
down on the turf when laid to compress any air.
- Water well and keep
moist.
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| Prepare
the area and add fertiliser to the base. Plant the
seedlings, rooted cuttings or pot grown specimens at
15-30cm spacings. Keep well watered. |
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| Sow
seeds in moist, warm conditions for immediate
germination. Hot conditions can cause seedlings to wilt
and die. Sowing too little seed may allow weeds to
intercept the gaps and interfere with the grasses growth
rate. Sowing too many seeds can produce humid conditions
and damage seedlings. |
| Sow
seeds by hand or machine. Afterwards lightly rake over
and water. Protect area from birds until established
growth is seen. |
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| When
the grass has reached 2cm of growth cut it to 1cm using
a rotary mower so as not to pull up any young shoots.
Taking into consideration the type of grass grown, time
of year and use of the lawn it is generally best to mow
little and often. If the grass is cut severely and at
odd times the quality of the lawn will decrease. |
| Cut
high quality lawns frequently to keep their appearance
and to a 0.5cm length. |
| Utility
lawns can be mowed less to maintain their heavy wear
properties. |
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| Maintenance
is essential in keeping the lawns appearance. Watering
and mowing are frequent tasks but annually you should
aerate, fertilise and top dress. Maintain quality
controls such as weeding and ridding of pests and
diseases when necessary. |
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| Drought:
Affects lawns and other grassed areas. You will
see discoloured patches appearing on the lawn and
varying sizes of straw like areas. This is caused by
inadequate watering and dry weather. Lawns must be
watered frequently to avoid this problem. |
| Cats
and dogs: Affect lawns lawns, garden plants and
seedlings. Will see faeces, urine patches and scratched
areas. Attempt to keep animals out. Water areas
regularly that are visited by cats. Repellants can be
used but only temporarily. |
| Dollar
spot: Affects lawns and grassed areas. Will see
straw coloured, pale patches. Caused by a fungus that
thrives in compacted soils and those treated with lime.
Improve aeration and treat affected area. |
| Starvation:
Affects lawns and grassed areas. Will see pale,
patchy thin grass. Slow growth. Caused by inadequate
feeding. Spring feed your lawn and also in summer and
autumn. |
| Snow
mould: Affects annual meadow grass lawns. Will
see yellow patches of grass that has died. Whit fungal
growth on damp areas. Caused by a fungus that grows with
poor aeration. Improve aeration and maintenance in these
areas. |
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