Nothing compares to a lawn, it sets off perennial plants and buildings to their very best and invites relaxation. It's no wonder that people devote so much time to them.
No matter how much care and effort you put in, there are still times when brown patches appear, or the grass seems to have lost its vigour. Fear not! a bit of effort in the spring, will transform your lawn into velvet perfection, to compliment your perennial flower garden.
On a dry, mild day, rake out any dead leaves, moss and thatch. This scarifies the grass and improves ventilation, allowing new grass to grow. Because of compacting, the underground roots are probably suffering from poor drainage and lack of air space. To remedy this, spike the top 6", with a special fork, which has hollow tines. This will create open tunnels, to let the air in. If you have a large lawn, it's well worth hiring aerator. Brush a generous dressing of clean, sharp sand into the holes, so that water and air can flow easily. On well drained soils, mix some fine compost with the sand.
As grass grows best in slightly alkaline soils, a dressing of garden lime or finely ground limestone
should be added to acid and neutral soils. But for the ultimate tonic, use seaweed, either as a meal or liquid. A slow release fertilizer, such as pelleted chicken manure, should be appliwd throughout the spring and summer.
On any bare patches, rake up a tilth, sprinkle with seed and roll, making sure that the seed has firm contact with the soil. During dry spells, you will need to water in. Mow when the new grass is at least 4" tall and keep the mower blades set high for a while.
Of course if you want instant results, turf is always an option. Make sure all the perennial weeds are removed before laying it. Add sharp grit or sand to the soil if needed, or dress with compost on poor soil. Roll and water in well and never let it dry out.
Remember that beautiful lawns are hard work, be gentle with the lawnmower and you will be rewarded. Your perennial flower garden will look fantastic, all year round.
For more tips on gardening and plant care, take a look at Perennial Flower Garden Ideas
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