There’s nothing quite like a lush green lawn but growing the perfect one is no easy feat. It takes patience and persistence to get it to where you can laze away your day on it. Here are a few essential garden tools to make life that much easier when growing your lawn.
Check your soil pH with a test probe
The first step is to check your soil pH. The easiest way to do this is to invest in a test probe, which you can find at a garden centre. Dig a hole, fill it with distilled water and place the test probe into the mud to get a reading. Dig a few holes in the garden to get an accurate average reading. Paper test strips can also be used for testing pH. The acidity or alkalinity of the soil will determine what kind of lawn you plant and how you maintain it.
You don’t need a kit to test your soil’s pH, there are some DIY methods to test the soil. All you need is to do some online research to see which method works best for you.
Aerate the lawn
Aeration is important to get air to the roots. It helps with drainage and ensures the lawn receives water, minerals and nutrients. Spike rollers are excellent for aerating the lawn but be prepared, they are heavy! If you’re not up to manually pushing a spike roller you can use a lawn aerator machine, which also helps to reduce soil compaction.
If you don’t have a spike roller or lawn aerator machine you can hire one or alternatively use a fork to aerate the roots. Get digging!
Invest in a leaf blower
It’s important to remove debris and leaves from your lawn as this keeps the lawn looking healthy. There are many different kinds of leaf blowers on the market and they do a quicker job than a manual rake.
If you have a big yard then cordless is a good way to go, and with the internet around, choosing the best battery operated leaf blower doesn’t need to be a difficult task .
Leafblowers are kinder to the environment, cause less pollution and are easier to manage with no long cords getting in the way. Plus, they are so quiet, your neighbours will thank you! Lastly, don’t forget your eye protection.
Remove weeds with fervour
Weeds are irritating, that’s a fact! Every lawn has them and every good gardener knows to keep weeds in check to maintain a healthy lawn.
If you want to avoid using herbicide a hand-weeding tool is useful because it helps to remove the weed and the root. Herbicide can harm surrounding grass so hand weeding can be a good method to use instead.
If you do opt for the herbicide method be sure to read the instructions carefully. If you suspect lawn disease speak to your local garden centre – they should be able to guide you towards the most effective solution.
Mow that lawn!
Mowing machines were invented in 1830, making the whole process of tending to your lawn a lot easier. Owning lawnmowers is probably the most important tool to ensure you have an immaculate looking lawn.
Remember to mow when the lawn is dry as the grass cuts more easily when dry and you will not damage the grass blades.
There are a few options when it comes to mowers – manual mowers (perfect for small gardens and eco-friendly), walk-behind power mowers, riding mowers and self-directed electric mowers.
There are a lot of choices when it comes to mowers so don’t be overwhelmed when shopping for them. Keep in mind the size of your lawn, your fitness level and time you can allocate to mowing the lawn. Also, consider any hills or obstacles you need to avoid and how you will need to manoeuvre around them.
Don’t forget to mulch your grass clippings as this acts as supplemental fertilizer.
Springtime, lawn time
Spring is a good time to tend to your lawn so try to plan this into your gardening schedule. And if you’re still curious about the origins of lawn why not read up on its history? It has had a fascinating journey through the ages, initially as a sign of aristocracy and gentry, through to what we know today.
