A healthy and beautiful lawn requires careful maintenance all year round. Regular mowing is just as important as fertilizing, watering and scarifying. In this comprehensive article you can find out which care work you have to do and when.

Good lawn care is the be-all and end-all for a healthy lawn

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Lawn care throughout the year
  3. Mow and trim
  4. water the lawn properly
  5. scarify
  6. fertilize lawn
  7. lime the lawn
  8. frequently asked Questions

    9. the essentials in brief

    • The lawn needs different measures in every season
    • In winter, the lawn is dormant and should be walked on as little as possible
    • The lawn should be mowed regularly during the growth phase when the weather is dry and not too hot
    • Scarifying helps with moss and weeds, lime with acidic soil and moss growth

    Overview: The right lawn care throughout the year

    Most people probably know that as a lawn owner you should occasionally mow the lawn between May and September and also water the lawn on hot days. However, this is not the end of lawn care, because a healthy lawn requires attention all year round. For this reason, at the beginning of this guide, there is a list of the necessary work, which we have graded by season for a better overview.

    Lawn care in spring

    Spring covers the months of March to May. Now it is a matter of removing the traces of winter and repairing damage to the lawn caused by frost, moisture and snow. In addition, the lawn must be made fit for the new season so that the grass sprout vigorously and healthily.

    work to be done Ideal time execution
    Removal of dead lawn grass March to April Rake the lawn with a leaf rake
    scarify March to April electrically or by hand
    First fertilization Beginning to mid-March at least ten degrees Celsius Application of a lawn fertilizer
    combat moss at the time of the first fertilization Use lawn fertilizer with moss fighter
    First mowing about ten days after the first fertilization do not cut too deep, repeat regularly
    repair lawn from April reseed bare spots
    new system from April Laying out a new lawn including careful soil preparation

    tips

    A beautiful, green and healthy lawn is difficult to grow on clay soils in damp areas. On such soils it can make sense to lay a rolled turf on a bed of sand and gravel. This ensures good drainage, and lawns should always be slightly sloping. That's the only way water can't stand on the lawn.

    Lawn care in summer

    In the summer, the lawn should be mowed several times

    The summer months between June and August also mean a lot of stress for a lawn: the area is now under particularly high demands, for example by being walked on frequently. Heat and drought also make things difficult for the grasses. This work is scheduled for this time of year.

    work to be done Ideal time execution
    Regular mowing April to September, every five to seven days don't cut too short
    irrigation once or twice a week, preferably early in the morning or when the sky is overcast Plan 10 to 20 liters of water per square meter so that the grass roots deeper (never water in small doses every day!)
    Second lawn fertilization from June Use slow release fertilizer
    weed control from June Find out the cause of weed growth, e.g. B. unsuitable pH value and eliminate cause, use fertilizer with weed killer

    Lawn care in the fall

    Between September and November there is still plenty to do to ensure that the lawn gets off to a good start in the winter rest phase and survives the cold season with as little damage as possible.

    work to be done Ideal time execution
    mowing until October / possibly also until November don't mow too deep
    Third lawn fertilization September to October use potassium-rich fertilizers to make the grasses more resistant to pathogens and frost
    Repair / new installation September to October in correspondingly warm weather conditions
    Fall foliage removal from October on Rot can develop under a mulch cover, so gently rake away foliage

    Lawn care in winter

    In winter, the lawn should be stepped on as little as possible

    Between November and February the lawn is dormant. During this time, you should enter the area as little as possible, which is particularly true in frosty weather and when it snows. Incidentally, the ideal time for liming the lawn is early spring: the chances of doing so are particularly good in February. Alternatively, late autumn between October and November is also good for this measure.

    digression

    Laying the lawn properly and avoiding problems

    Many lawns therefore have to struggle with diseases and weeds because they were simply sown in too dark a location. Grasses do not thrive particularly well under a dense canopy of leaves, since the lack of light and water as well as the drops falling from the leaves significantly impede grass growth. Moss is often the result.

    Mow and trim regularly

    Lawn mowing is one of the most important lawn care measures. Regular mowing ensures that the grass is stimulated to grow again and again, thus forming a dense, upright turf. Weeds hardly have a chance to cheat their way through here.

    When and how often to mow?

    Depending on the region and the weather, the mowing season begins between March and April and ends between October and November. How often you actually need to mow depends on the type of lawn. For example, commercial lawns have to be cut back much more frequently than a wildflower meadow. In addition, the weather determines the frequency of the cut, since the growth of the grass depends on the weather. In dry periods, for example, grass grows very slowly and therefore has to be mowed less often than in rainy and warm phases. Basically, the rule of thumb is that you should mow about once a week. The lawn mower stays in the shed when there is frost.

    The right time

    Lawn should be mowed when it is neither damp nor too warm

    Lawns are best mowed when the grass is dry. The early morning hours and shortly after a downpour are therefore not good times to cut the lawn. The hot midday hours are not suitable either, as the grass is only exposed to stronger stressors. So try to avoid the early evening hours if possible.

    At what height should lawn grass be mowed?

    Lawns should never be mowed too deep, as this creates unsightly bare spots and also promotes the growth of moss and weeds. If possible, stick to the so-called rule of thirds, according to which the grasses are always trimmed by a third of their current height. According to this rule, a lawn that has grown six centimeters high is shortened by two centimeters and thus has a height of four centimeters - the grasses of a commercial lawn should not be cut back much lower.

    What to do with the lawn clippings after mowing?

    The clippings produced when mowing the lawn do not belong in the garbage, but can still be used very well in the garden.

    • compost: Mix the fresh grass clippings with other compost materials or apply as a thin layer between other layers of compost. Composting preserves the nutrients from the grasses and balances carbon and nitrogen in the compost heap.
    • mulching material: You don't just have to let the lawn clippings rot on the compost, you can also spread them between vegetable beds or under shrubs and trees. Here the material provides additional nutrients and at the same time prevents weed growth.
    • lawn fertilization: If you mow with a special mulching lawnmower, you can leave the severely shredded cuttings on the lawn as an additional supplier of nutrients. However, this mulching does not replace fertilization.

    water the lawn properly

    Lawns should be watered thoroughly in the morning or evening if possible

    Lawn grass consists of 80 to 90 percent water and therefore has a high water requirement - especially when it is dry. On average, you have to reckon with about 2.5 liters of water per square meter of lawn during the summer months. However, this is only an average, because the actual water requirement depends on various factors:

    • location: Lawns in very sunny, exposed locations generally need more water than lawns in partially shaded locations.
    • weather: On hot summer days, the water requirement is also higher than on cooler times.
    • soil type: Some soils are good water reservoirs, which is why you need to water them less often, for example on light sandy soil.
    • lawn type: Even with the different types of grass, the water requirement sometimes differs considerably.

    time

    The lawn needs to be watered urgently if the stalks do not straighten up again after stepping on them, or only very slowly. Prints should not remain visible for more than 15 to 20 minutes, otherwise it is high time to water. Prefer the early morning hours for watering, since at this time the evaporation rates from solar radiation and wind are low. This saves you water. But the lawn can also be watered in the evening, but only at midday if it is really necessary and the plants are thirsty.

    frequency

    Don't make the mistake of watering your lawn in small amounts every day. This only ensures that the grasses only develop flat roots and cannot take water from the soil themselves. On the other hand, you can achieve deeper rooting if you only use the watering can once or twice a week. The soil should then be well moistened to a depth of around ten centimetres, which is why you have to sprinkle the area with around ten to 20 liters of water per square meter. A rain gauge will help you determine the right amount.

    Automatic watering

    With such amounts of water, you would rather not water your lawn with a watering can. An automatic watering system (€32.95) is therefore required, whereby you can choose between hoses or sprinklers with or without a timer. Sprinklers are the better choice for larger areas, as they tend to achieve even and sufficient humidification.

    Scarify and aerate

    Scarifying makes sense when weeds or moss are growing in the lawn

    Once a year it's time to clear the lawn of all thatch, moss and weeds. In the spring, you should scarify the area with a suitable device, removing both thatch and ensuring that the lawn is aerated.

    time

    The best time for this measure is late spring, as the lawn can then best compensate for any damage caused by scarifying with new growth. March and April are the best months for this, although you can also use the scarifier (€84.00) between August and September if necessary. So that the measure has the best possible success, you should fertilize about ten days before scarifying.

    execution

    Do not cut deeper than a maximum of one to two millimeters into the ground, as this will have a negative effect on the later lawn density and you primarily want to remove the lawn thatch. Always scarify lengthwise and crosswise, then remove the scarified material from the lawn and smooth the surface. The best way to do this is with the first lawn cut of the year.

    This clear video shows whether it is better to scarify the lawn electrically or by hand and what you have to pay attention to:

    youtube

    Subsequent work

    You may need to overseed after scarifying to close any gaps in the turf. In addition, it now makes sense to spread coarse sand on the lawn (approx. three to four liters per square meter) to make the soil more permeable. However, this measure is only necessary on compacted and heavy soils. Instead of sand, rock dust can also be used, which also supplies the lawn with important trace elements.

    Optimal fertilization for beautiful and healthy grasses

    "It doesn't help to complain about the puny lawn, the right treatment is important."

    Proper fertilization is essential in lawn care. All plants - including grasses - need sufficient nutrients in the right composition to grow and thrive. Especially with regularly mowed lawns, fertilizing three times a year is important in order to replenish nutrients lost through the cut. In addition to undersupply, it is also important to avoid over-fertilization, as this also has harmful consequences.

    Which fertilizer is particularly suitable for lawn fertilization?

    The lawn should be fertilized with a slow-release fertilizer

    If possible, select special long-term fertilizers for lawn fertilization, as with these - in contrast to the fast-acting instant fertilizers - over-fertilization is only possible with difficulty. These fertilizers only slowly and gradually release their nutrients into the soil, while short-term fertilizers make all the ingredients immediately available to the plants. This may make sense in the case of deficiency symptoms, but not in normal lawn fertilization.

    Another disadvantage of instant fertilizers is that you have to supply your lawn much more frequently than would be the case with a long-term fertilizer - depending on the product, these act for around six to twelve weeks. Be sure to use a complete fertilizer with a balanced mix of nutrients. In addition to the most important main nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, minerals and trace elements should also be present.

    How much fertilizer is needed?

    How much fertilizer you actually need to apply depends largely on the composition of your garden soil. In order to avoid over- or undersupply, you should therefore have a soil analysis carried out every three years. With the evaluation, you will receive specially adapted nutrient recommendations with which you can calculate the required amount of fertilizer. The formula for this is:

    The amount of pure nutrient (grams per square meter) multiplied by 100 and then divided by the nutrient content of the fertilizer in percent gives the required fertilizer quantity in grams per square meter

    The pure nutrient amount can be found in the fertilizer recommendation of the soil laboratory, while the percentage of nutrient content of the fertilizer is indicated on the product packaging. The information always applies to certain nutrients, such as nitrogen.

    tips

    However, do not apply the calculated amount of fertilizer all at once, but distribute it over three to four annual doses.

    How do you spread the fertilizer evenly over the lawn?

    It is best to spread the fertilizer on a dry lawn so that the granules do not stick to the damp stalks. Use a spreader for even distribution, but basically there is nothing wrong with traditional spreading by hand. Here you take the fertilizer granules in your hand and throw them out. Then water the lawn to allow the fertilizer to soak into the soil. In addition, the area should not be mowed or walked on for at least two days - especially not by children or pets.

    When is the right time to fertilize?

    The lawn is ideally fertilized three times a year:

    • spring fertilization: at the start of the growing season, for regeneration after the winter
    • fertilization in early summer: The need for nutrients is highest in early summer, so fertilization is repeated. This fertilization also strengthens the lawn against the heat.
    • autumn fertilization: Potassium-rich fertilization protects the grasses from the rigors of winter and makes them more resistant to frost.

    Liming the lawn - when and with what?

    If the soil is too acidic, the use of lime makes sense

    Due to the repeated mowing, among other things, but also due to other factors, the pH value of the lawn soil decreases over time.It acidifies, which in turn is reflected in poorer growth of the grass and in an increased occurrence of unwanted plants - such as moss. Ideally, the soil should have a pH value between 5.5 and 6.5, which is why liming the lawn from time to time is a sensible measure.

    When should you lime the lawn?

    But don't make the mistake of just whitewashing. In fact, you should determine beforehand whether the application of lime is necessary at all. So-called indicator plants, for example, which grow primarily on acidic soils, indicate a need. Thus, the increased appearance of moss, sorrel, horsetail, pansies, trefoil or daisies is always a warning sign. A subsequent pH test - either in a specialized laboratory or with a test stick from the hardware store - provides clarity. If there really is a need, lime the lawn in early spring.

    How to lime the lawn correctly

    Lawn or garden lime (€9.70) (pure lime is completely sufficient, additives or any special types of lime such as algae lime are not necessary) are in principle applied in exactly the same way as fertilizer. However, make sure to wear respiratory and mouth protection, safety goggles and gloves. Apply the lime on a windless, dry day and then let the lawn sit for at least four weeks.

    digression

    Where can I find a suitable institute for soil analysis?

    To find a reputable soil analysis institute in your area, you can send an inquiry to the Association of German Agricultural Investigation and Research Institutes (VDLUFA).

    frequently asked Questions

    What is the point of mulching the lawn?

    Mowing normally removes valuable nutrients from the lawn, and the soil gradually becomes acidic. You can minimize both by leaving the chopped clippings on the lawn.

    There is so much moss growing in my lawn. What can I do against it?

    Moss in the lawn can have various causes: There may simply not be enough sun shining on the lawn and/or the soil may be too damp. A soil with too low a pH value is also ideal for moss. Find out the cause and eliminate it, along with the moss. Carefully rake this out of the lawn and sow any bare spots again.

    What criteria do I use to select the right lawn mixture?

    Lawn is by no means the same as lawn, as there is the right mixture for every purpose. A classic English lawn, for example, looks nice but is not suitable for heavy use such as that caused by children playing. A utility lawn makes more sense for this. On the other hand, if the lawn is to be sown in a semi-shady location, choose a shaded lawn. This makes sense because most grasses prefer sun.

    tips

    Deep-rooted weeds in the lawn - such as dandelions - should be removed as early as possible and before the seeds ripen with the help of a weed cutter.

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Garden design