Wednesday, February 22, 2023

The eagerly anticipated first cut of the season!

When it comes to the garden there is nothing better than a well-kept lawn to complement your planting. When you see a great lawn, if you’re always left wondering ‘why can’t my lawn be like that?’ read on….

The first mow of the season is vitally important and there are a few golden rules for getting the lawn of your dreams.



1. Preparation

Before you get started, make sure your lawnmower is in the best possible condition. Give it a thorough clean and replace any broken or worn parts. If your mower has metal blades ensure they’re sharp enough for the job and correctly adjusted.

2. Don’t cut too early

Once any maintenance has been done, you’re ready to get mowing. You should be looking to make the first cut around the beginning of March and for optimum results it is best to let the grass grow to between 4 and 5cm in length.

3. Don’t get too close

Many people have the misguided notion that if the grass is shaved off the lawn will look better and will not need mowing again for a longer period of time. In fact, cutting too closely only leads to quick deterioration of the sward and opens your lawn to invasion from weeds and moss. The ideal cutting height for most lawns is 2 to 2.5cm.

4. Avoid wet conditions

To get the best results take the ‘little and often’ approach to mowing, this will maintain the ideal length. You should also water and feed the grass when the weather is dry, and remember never to mow when the grass is wet – not that you’d want to – as this can severely damage the lawn.

5. Mix it up

Try to change direction every time you mow as continually going in one direction can have a detrimental effect. It is always best to remove the grass clippings from your lawnmower as often as possible. If you intend to compost, a useful tip is to save some newspaper and cardboard for use as layers – this will stop the grass rotting down into a soggy mess.

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Fenruary Hints and Tips for the Garden


February is the last month of winter, and frequently the coldest. 

It’s the end of the dormant period for many plants, so the last opportunity to plant out perennials and fruit trees. 

Timing this is tricky, as the ground is sometimes too frozen to dig with a spade or garden fork. Even on days when it is too cold to work the soil, there is still time to finish pruning plants ready for them to start regrowing in spring.

Visit our monthly hints and tips now by visiting https://www.bluediamond.gg/february-hints-tips