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Advice Tips and a view from the world from annie@lawnrite

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THe First day of spring 2022 - spring lawncare around Chichester - west sussex and emsworth, bosham, waterlooville and surrounding areas

3/1/2022

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​We had a wet late Autumn and plenty of rain through the winter period although overall the Winter has been mild and in places grass has not stopped growing at all.
Usually, in February we can get our machines onto the Lawns to core aerate and scarify in preparation for spring growth, the recent stormy weather meant we were limited in what we could get done as some lawns were too wet to put the machines on, that disruption has continued into March.

So, what does it mean for Lawns and Lawn Care in West Sussex and East Hampshire apart from another scheduling challenge for me!
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Winter Die Back

Every Winter some lawns will die back and thin, as growth slows or stops, sunlight levels reduce so grass plants can struggle, this year many lawns, particularly on clay soils have been waterlogged and stayed that way.

A sudden sporadic downpour will rarely harm your lawn but prolonged periods of saturated soils can and are causing damage.
 
Waterlogging means that water is filling the spaces in the soil, which as well as potentially leaching out nutrients, can drive out air which limits the oxygen supply to the plant’s roots. It also stops more harmful gases escaping.

The result of extended periods of saturation is that grass roots struggle and may even die which leads to decay and further deterioration in the sub soil.

As a result, the lawn may well thin out, creating an environment where moss will fill in the new gaps and do well in the continued damp conditions which it loves.

Spring will bring longer days and higher temperatures and with increased evapotranspiration that should see ground conditions improve relatively quickly so long as we get some gaps between the heavy rain.

Some lawns close to the sea, in the likes of the Wittering’s West Sussex, where the water table is higher may take a little longer to dry but they will get there.
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The good news is that the majority of saturated lawns naturally recover as conditions start to dry but, it may be, in some cases that repairs are needed. This will likely involve solid tine, core or fracture tine aeration to improve soil conditions and reduce compaction, moss control and feed application to add back the nutrition that has leached away, some areas may need seeding or renovation but soil temperatures need to raise a good deal before you can be confident of good seed gemination.
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Spring Lawn Treatments

We started our Spring Lawn treatments today around Emsworth and will be visiting Chichester, Aldwick, West Wittering and Bosham across the rest of this week. Our Spring Lawn Treatments mean we are replenishing nutrients with a good balance of slow and quick release feed to help the lawns recover and strengthen over the next several months, we are also applying a lawn moss control or lawn weed control when they are needed, the recent mild temperatures means weeds are already starting their spring spurt.
Our Treatments in Detail
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Spring Lawn Disease
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The damp and mild winter and absence of any significant periods of frost mean some fungus activity continues, particularly “Red Thread”, this should hopefully grow out with drier, warmer weather and a good feed.   
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We have started to see a number of lawns that have been damaged by “Leatherjackets” they seem have copped well over this mild winter, if you have patches developing in your lawn then have a little dig and see if you find these pests at work, if your lawn is waterlogged you may find them on the surface or on your patio.
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There is advice on these pests on our web site. Advice
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​Lawn Mowing

“If the lawn is growing then continue mowing” that’s good advice and, if conditions allow, it should be followed. Never take more than a third off with each cut and keep the mower blade sharp, once we are in full spring growth regular mowing is essential.
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Independent Lawn Care Advice across West Sussex and Hampshire 
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Good Spring Lawncare is essential to get your lawn in shape for its period of greatest use so if you are looking for Lawn Scarification, Lawn Aeration, a Lawn Renovation / Lawn Makeover or a programme of lawn treatments then get in touch for Independent advice.  
TO GET IN TOUCH
​Click Here
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UK LAwnCARe Association - Lawn Renovation Regional Conference - best practise, Lawn Aeration, Lawn Scarifying, Lawn Over Seeding - learnings to apply to Lawns in and Around West Sussex, Chichester, Emsworth, Bognor Regis and Surounding areas

3/11/2020

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A day at the UK Lawncare Association regional conference at Mount
Pleasant Golf Club, Bedfordshire. A chance to see and try out the latest aerators, scarifiers, over seeders and top dressing machines and to speak to one of the leading seed suppliers
This sold out event allowed us to talk to other independent lawncare companies about renovation techniques and how the changing climate is impacting how we need to approach our work, well worth braving the M25 for the learnings.
 
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Spring Lawncare - Chichester, Emsworth, Bosham, Bognor Regis, Portsmouth - Lawn Feeding, Waterlogged Lawns, Lawn Weed Control, Lawn Pests and Diseases

3/5/2020

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Its raining its pouring!
​Last Autumn, when the rains disrupted our Lawncare schedules, at least we were seeing groundwater levels recharging after the long dry periods of the last several year’s.
We hoped for a calm winter with some frosts to reduce pest and disease levels and to allow a normal run in to Spring. It was not to be as the graph below from Southern Water Shows:
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​Usually, in February we can get our machines onto the Lawns to core aerate and scarify in preparation for spring growth, this year we managed to aerate a handful of lawns with the predominantly clay soil in this area far too soft to risk damage by the machines and that disruption continues into March.
So, what does it mean for Lawns and Lawn Care in West Sussex and East Hampshire apart from a scheduling chalenge for me!
Winter Die Back

Every Winter some lawns will die back a little, as growth slows or stops, sunlight levels reduce so grass plants can struggle, this year many lawns, particularly on clay soils have been waterlogged since the autumn and that is unusual as we normally have sufficient dry periods when the soil can recover. 

A sudden sporadic downpour will rarely harm your lawn but these prolonged periods of saturated soils can and are causing damage.
 
Waterlogging means that water is filling the spaces in the soil, which as well as potentially leaching out nutrients, can drive out air which limits the oxygen supply to the plants roots. It also stops more harmful gases escaping.
The result of these extended periods of saturation is that grass roots struggle and may even die which leads to decay and further deterioration in the sub soil.

As a result, the lawn may well thin out, creating an environment where moss will fill in the new gaps and do well in the continued damp conditions which it loves.

Spring will bring longer days and higher temperatures and with increased evapotranspiration that should see ground conditions improve relatively quickly once the heavy rain does one.

Some lawns close to the sea, in the likes of Bosham Hoe (see picture) or the Wittering’s, where the water table is higher may take a little longer to dry but they will get there.
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The good news is that the majority of saturated lawns naturally recover as conditions start to dry but, it may be, in some cases that repairs are needed. This will likely involve aeration to improve soil conditions and reduce compaction, moss control and feed application to add back the nutrition that has leached away, some areas may need seeding or renovation but soil temperatures need to raise a good deal before you can be confident of good gemination.

We started our Spring Lawn treatments this week around Emsworth, Aldwick, Chichester and Bosham, thats when the weather has allowed us to. This means we are replenishing nutrients with a good balance of slow and quick release feed to help the lawns recover and strengthen over the next several months, we are also applying a moss control and separate weed control when they are needed.
Our Treatments in Detail
Lawn Disease
 
The damp and mild winter and absence of any significant periods of frost mean some fungus activity continues, particularly “Red Thread”, this should hopefully grow out with drier, warmer weather and a good feed.   
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​There is some more detail on our website Advice
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Lawn Pests

We have started to see a number of lawns that have been damaged by “Leatherjackets” they seem have copped well this winter, if you have patches developing in your lawn then have a little dig and see if you find these pests at work, if your lawn is waterlogged you may find them on the surface or on your patio.
 
There is advice on these pests on our web site.Advice

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Lawn Mowing

“If the lawn is growing then continue mowing” that’s good advice and, if conditions allow, it should be followed. Never take more than a third off with each cut and keep the mower blade sharp, once we are in full spring growth regular mowing is essential.

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Irrigation

There is plenty of water about right now but a dry period will come, if you want to understand the cost of watering your lawn, check out the calculaltor on our website Watering Tool   
Learning
When the weather is not great we do get the chance to work on machine maintenance, research product and regulatory developments in our market, we also attend trade conferences including the UK Lawncare Association www.uklawncare.net/ annual conference which is always a great forum to refresh knowledge and learn from other like-minded Independent Lawncare Companies.
So here’s hoping Spring shows its face soon.
As always if you have any questions just call or email
Take Care
Annie
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chichester Lawncare, Lawn renovation and makeovers, summer mowing, portsmouth, emsworth, bognor regis, aldwick and pagham

5/6/2019

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We have spent the last month or so completing lawn renovations, makeovers and repairs across West Sussex and East Hampshire, that’s lawn’s in West & East Wittering, Aldwick, Itchenor, Midhurst, Hambrook, Emsworth, Barnham, Chichester, Porchester, Bosham, Southbourne, Havant, Portsmouth & Selsey that have needed help to get back to their best, most needing the work following damage in the extremes of last summer.
So we have been moving tonnes of top dressing and seed, applying wetting agents, scarifying, aerating and providing advice on how to ensure the best results, moisture being key to germination and establishment of new seed.
Now the weather has been kind in allowing us to complete this heavy work with little disruption but that means rainfall has been in short supply so that ground moisture levels are struggling in some areas.
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The low overnight temperatures for most of the last month mean growth has been a little slower than expected and seed germination is taking that little bit longer, but keep the seed moist and it will come.
 
The flip side of those low temperatures is that moisture loss is reduced so there is still time to prevent soils drying out fully before the heat of summer and as many learned last year its much easier to maintain moisture then to try to wet a soil once its dry.
There is advice on my website about watering the lawn.
https://www.lawnritechichester.co.uk/advice.html
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​As the soils warm up and consistent growth kicks in then regular mowing is essential to keeping your lawn in good condition, mowing encourages the lawn to naturally thicken, so:-
  1. Mow at least once a week
  2. Never take more then 1/3 of the leaf in one cut.
  3. Change the direction of cut each mowing
  4. Ensure your mower blade is sharp
  5. Don’t mow when it’s very dry or excessively hot , if you do then water well afterwards.
  6. Mow to the correct height for the grass types in your lawn.
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​I am taking a well-earned short holiday before we start our Early Summer Lawn Treatments in Chichester in a weeks’ time.
As always, if you have any questions or need help with your lawn.
 
Take Care
Annie@lawnrite
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2019 Spring Lawn repair, lawn renovation and lawncare in chichester, emsworth, bognor regis and surrounding areas

2/17/2019

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​2018, what a year, “The Beast from The East”, the shortest spring in memory and then the hottest, longest dry spell since the 70’s. 
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So, what did that mean for lawns, well the growth, strengthening and thickening that spring normally brings was brief and then, for those lawns that were not irrigated. month upon month of dry conditions before some brief rainfall relief in the Autumn.
Now grass is a hardy plant and can take some punishment, and the mild winter has improved recovery rates but in lots of lawns there are areas that have not come back from the onslaught of last summer’s drought. 
Now its not just the plants that suffered, the soil, which is one of the key features of a healthy lawn, was also affected. In an ideal world, soil is made up of about 50% solid materials (including 5% organic) and 25% air and 25% water. This type of ratio allows the bio-system within the soil to thrive so that the nutrients a lawn needs are available and organic matter follows a natural process.
Did you know that the grass roots themselves produce a gelatinous residue that contains sugars and amino acids. Bacteria, protozoa and nematodes live around the roots, feeding on this residue. These microorganisms help break down organic material, releasing nitrogen and other nutrients in a form other organism can use.
So, when conditions are right there is a virtuous circle supporting plant and soil health, but last year, in many cases that circle was broken and not only did the grass plant suffer but also the soil. 


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Many of the Lawns we visit across West Sussex and Hampshire are predominantly sitting in a clay soil so when these are allowed to dry, they shrink losing moisture and air so it becomes difficult for the virtuous circle to re-establish when conditions change. The visible sign of this in many cases has been deep cracking, compaction and the level of the lawn lowering.
Of course, where the lawn grass has been weak or died back then moss, weeds and weed grasses may have taken hold.
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So, what can be done? Probably the best way to improve the soil condition and to relieve compaction is to aerate the lawn using a core aerator or if conditions are right fracture tine the ground. In the lawns around Chichester. Emsworth and Bognor Regis the Clay content means solid tine aeration is of little benefit in relieving the conditions that developed last year. Adding organic material to the soil will also help and raking or scarifying out the dead grass and thatch that built up last summer will encourage better growth this spring.


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Once you have taken steps to help the soil and remove thatch and any moss then you may need to seed any bare areas and, remembering that we rarely allow our lawns to seed themselves, consider over seeding the whole lawn to introduce new, younger cultivars to strengthen the lawn.
Seed need’s ground contact, moisture and the right ground and air temperatures to help germination so your help and care over the first month or so will see the best results.
You can get a good soil thermometer relatively cheaply online or ask your local lawncare company what temperatures they are currently recording and whether it’s a good time to seed.
Choosing and sticking to the right lawn seed mix for your lawn needs a little thought and research, some seeds will germinate at lower temperatures and some take longer to germinate and establish and therefore more after care is needed for longer.  
Remember if you are applying any chemicals to treat weeds or moss then that may affect when you can safely seed without the chemicals compromising the seed, so read the labels carefully and again your lawn care provider should be able to help with advice whether they are covering Waterlooville, Rowlands Castle, Southsea, Bosham, Chichester or other local areas.  

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Now some lawns became so dry during last summer that the only realistic way to bring the grass back is a full lawn renovation or lawn makeover, that can be by laying new turf or growing a new lawn in situ, whichever you choose new turf or new grass plants need nurturing and care to flourish, there are lots of guides on line on how to do this or ask your lawncare provider whether they can help.   
 
Many people do not water their lawn, usually worried about cost or potential environmental impacts. So its worth noting that there are treatments that can be applied, that help a soil retain moisture more evenly and for longer so lessening but not removing the need to water. These products can keep a lawn greener for longer in drought and help recovery thereafter, they may also reduce the risk of disease as they lower the amount of moisture on the leaf, these are called wetting agents and your lawn care provider should be able to provide advice on this, its best to start applying in spring to take advantage when moisture is available naturally. 
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We are hearing that there may be some shortages of good turf this year and some grass seed mixtures may be in shorter supply, we are also seeing from the new enquiries this year that a lot of lawns need help to recover from the weather onslaught in 2018.
So, whether you intend to carry out lawncare or lawn repair / renovation yourselves or seek the help of a professional company its best to plan ahead now as hire machinery and expert lawncare professionals may be in high demand whether that’s around Chichester, Aldwick, Pagham or elsewhere in West Sussex of East Hampshire.

There is good news that both Southern and Portsmouth Water are saying  their supplies are good going into this spring so hopefully the threat of restrictions will nor rear its head this coming season.
 
Remember your lawn had a tough time last year so try and give it a bit of extra TLC this spring, it will reward you for it.

As always, if you need any help or advice about your lawn just get in touch and we will do our best to help.
Take Care

Annie
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Lawn Pests, Lawn Pest Control, Independent Lawncare and Lawn Treatment Advice in West Sussex, Hampshire, Chichester, Emsworth, Bognor Regis, Waterlooville, Pulborough, Midhurst, Tangmere and surrounding areas

4/25/2018

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At this time of year I am often called for advice from potential customers who are concerned that their lawn may be affected by typical lawn pests, they may be seeing birds or other animals picking at areas of the lawn or unexplained patches or thinning grass.

The first thing to do is to get a trowel and have a little dig in and around the area you are concerned with, birds are often picking at ants or worms which may be near the surface as its been so wet this spring. The birds also pick at moss and thatch that may be present to help with nest building often providing a very effective "scarification" but only in small areas.

There are other critters that are actually a concern and if the population of them is high can be bad for the lawn. The two main lawn pests that we come across for customers in West Sussex, Chichester, Emsworth, Bognor Regis and the surrounding areas are Leatherjackets and Chafer Grubs

The main methods of control are biological and cultural, as members of the U.K. Lawncare Association we are able to share best practice and learnings from Independent Lawncare experts from across the UK and apply these to the grass types and soils around Chichester, Pulborough, Emsworth and the surrounding areas. Earlier this year, at the Association's conference, we had a very informative presentation from one of the lead scientists at BASF who manufacture the Nematodes that are used to control these problems. I find it's always best to listen and learn from the people who make and field trial products as understanding how they work and creating the environment for successful application is the key to achieving control

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Leatherjackets
* what are they?
* How do I recognise them?
* How do I control them?

What are Leatherjackets?
* Leatherjackets are the larvae of the Crane fly (Daddy long legs)

Leatherjacket Facts:
* The adult Crane Fly has long legs with a body about 25mm long.
* Commonly active in the late summer to autumn period with each female laying 200-300 eggs. There can be a smaller amount of activity around May.
* The eggs hatch into larvae, called leatherjackets within about 14 days and remain in the soil for about 9 months before pupating into next season's Crane Fly.
* The Leatherjacket exists in the soil from the autumn to the following spring in your lawn, by eating the stems of your grass plants. This results in the lawn beginning to turn yellow and die back in areas.
* Damage generally becomes noticeable during the spring caused by the feeding that occurred the previous autumn and winter.
* Secondary damage from birds, badgers, foxes, moles and other small mammals searching and pecking for larvae may become evident.

Solution
* Keep a look out for Crane Fly activity throughout the late summer. The time to act is two to three weeks after that activity when the young leatherjackets are most vulnerable to control.
* Monitor your lawn in the autumn for larvae activity and secondary damage.
* Call Lawnrite for advice or follow the control methods below.

Control
* There is a manual way which you can use to try to catch and remove the pests, this involves covering the lawn area with a black plastic sheet or damp hessian sacks at night in damp conditions. Peel back the sheet slowly in the morning and collect up the surfaced leatherjackets. Make sure that you peel back the sheet slowly, for if you just peel it right back, some of the leatherjackets will escape back down into the lawn to get away from the daylight.
* There is also a biological treatment available for controlling leatherjackets in lawns, flower beds and vegetable plots. This is a pathogenic nematode, which is watered into the turf or soil. The nematodes enter the bodies of leatherjackets and infect them with a bacterial disease. To be effective, the nematode requires soil that is well drained but moist and with a minimum temperature of 12°C (54°F). The turf around the edge of affected areas should be targeted to deal with larvae spreading out from infestation “hot spots” in the lawn. However, by the time areas of infestation become apparent, the soil may be too cold for nematodes to be effective.
* As a preventive measure, you can apply nematodes in September to early October. It’s important that Nematodes are applied as soon as possible after purchase; make sure you follow the suppliers’ instructions for use. You may find you need to water the lawn before and for two, three even four weeks after application to ensure the soil is sufficiently moist for nematode activity and for them to survive.
* The product also needs to applied when there is no direct sunlight so early morning or evening is best as the Nematodes are susceptible to sunlight.
* Aeration and / or scarification before application can help as surface and sub surface thatch can hinder the passage of the product down to the area where the pest is to be found.
* Application of Nematodes does not need a licence and they are readily available from various suppliers and as there is a continued need to keep the ground moist following application there is little need to ask a professional to apply the product, thats why we advise our customers it's better and most effective to apply this product themselves so long as they follow the instructions
Once the grub population controls are in place we can help bring the lawn back to life.
* Currently no pesticide's are licenced for use for the control of these pests on lawns
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Grub Damage Can Be Extensive
Chafer Grubs
* What are Chafer Grubs?
* How do I recognise them?
* How do I control them?

What are Chafer Grubs
* Chafer Grubs are the larvae of the Chafer Beetle
* Chafer Grubs like sandy soils that why we often find problems around Pulborough and in particular West Chiltingtom in West Sussex

Chafer Beetle Facts:
* Chafer grubs are the larvae of at least five different species of chafer beetle.
* These grubs live in the soil just beneath the lawn.
* Both larvae and adult beetles can attack the grass plant.
* Chafer grubs are C-shaped, soft larvae, up to 40mm long with a brown head and six legs on the upper end of the body.
* Commonly active during the late summer and through to spring.
* Chafer grubs feed on the roots, stems and sometimes leaves of the grass plant.
* The grass may appear yellow or brown before wilting and dying.
* In severe cases the root system will be so damaged that you can pull the turf up like a carpet.
* Secondary damage from birds, badgers, foxes, moles and other small mammals searching, pecking or digging for larvae will be evident on your lawn

Solution & Prevention
* Monitor your lawn as the weather warms up for larvae activity and secondary damage.
* Call Lawnrite for advice and / or follow the control's below.
* You can purchase Garden Chafer Traps which use Pheromones to attract the adult beetle of this common species, these are positioned in May and can be used to indicate the level of and reduce the number of beetles and therefore the number of grubs that are likely to be present in the autumn.

Control
* As with leatherjackets there is also a biological treatment available for controlling chafer grubs in lawns, flower beds and vegetable plots. This is a pathogenic nematode, which is watered into the turf or soil. The nematodes enter the bodies of grubs and infect them with a bacterial disease. To be effective, the nematode requires soil that is well drained but moist and with a minimum temperature of 12°C (54°F). The turf around the edge of affected areas should be targeted to deal with grubs spreading out from infestation “hot spots” in the lawn.
* The treatment is most effective applied from August to early october when soil temperatures are high enough. It’s important that Nematodes are applied as soon as possible after purchase; make sure you follow the suppliers’ instructions for use. You may find you need to water the lawn before and for two, three even four weeks after application to ensure the soil is sufficiently moist for nematode activity and for them to survive.
* The product also needs to applied when there is no direct sunlight so early morning or evening is best as the Nematodes are susceptible to sunlight.
* Aeration and / or scarification before application can help as surface and sub surface thatch can hinder the passage of the product down to the area where the pest is to be found.
* Application of Nematodes does not need a licence and they are readily available from various suppliers.
* Currently no pesticide's are licenced for use for the control of these pests on lawns,
* As the life cycle of these grubs can be a number of years its best to repeat the treatment for several years as its the younger grubs each Autumn that you will be controlling and reducing the population each year.
* Once the plan to control the population is in place we can help with the process of restoring the lawn to its best
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Spring Lawn Treatments, Lawn Renovation  Lawn Makeover Family Run, Independen Lawn Treatment Service In Chichester, Bognor Regis,  Emsworth and the surrounding areas

4/23/2018

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After a tough winter and a late spring its only been over the last few weeks that temperatures have been consistently at a level which means that the grass will grow and it amazing how quickly this wonderful plant can spring back to life.
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We have been busy putting down our organic based spring lawn feed which is balanced to provide a great boost to the grass plant. The feed also contain humic acid and seaweed meal great for the soil.

The long, wet and cool winter and early spring has meant in some cases moss has been able to out compete the slow grass growth, in those cases we apply moss control along with our spring lawn treatment and some over seeding if needed.

As the grass grows so do the weeds so our Selective Herbicides are being applied to those pesky weeds across Selsey,, Emsworth, Bosham,, Bognor Regis and Chichester
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Some lawns that we care for in places like West Wittering are still drying out as the water table has been so high there and likewise some clay soils around Bognor Regis and Barnham have been slow to dry.

​This tme last year on the lovely South Coast the grass was growing from February and by mid April we had completed our spring lawn scarifications and lawn aerations. This year, as we won't complete the work unless the grass is growing and ground conditions are right, we will be continuing with this until early May.

We have also started our Lawn Renovations and Lawn Makeovers, thats where we effectively rejuvenate an exisiting lawn with a proven process using professional machinery, high grade grass seeds and organic top dressings. We have lawn renovations in Midhurst, Emsworth, Chichester, Bosham, Bognor Regis, Waterlooville and Barnham in the coming weeks.
For many customers the process of reducing moss in the lawn involves scarification for others, if its appropriate, we use an organic based product thats high in potassium that slowly degrades the moss and it contains a composting bacteria that converts this to additional nutrients in the lawn. We need soil temperatures above 10C to apply this product.

Spring is a great time to overseed just remember its better to lightly dress then and keep them moist through germination and whilst the new grass establishs also raise your mower blade the let the new grass root and branch.
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Its so important to make sure that a annual feeding programme in West Sussex is balanced across the whole year and reflects the conditions the lawn faces. For instance lawn science tells us a lawn that is predominantly rye grass will need more Nitrogen then a finer ornamental lawn, if you put two much Nitrogen on that ornamental lawn it will probably generate excessive thatch and thats why we vary our feeds and amount we put down dependent on the lawn. If you currently use a large franchise lawn care operation why not ask the operative how much Nitrogen he will be putting down across the season, that will be the same feed thats applied in Devon, Yorkshire, Sussex regardless of any difference in prevailing soils, weather conditions etc.

As we are family operated and Independent we have access to a full spectrum of products which lets us offer a more bespoke lawn treatment service based on lawn science in West Sussex and Hampshire and, centred round Chichester.

I have seen a lot of Chafer Grub activity in the Sandy soils around West Chiltington and Pulborough if you think you have a lawn grub problem call us for advice. The only controls are now organic and you do not need a lawncare comoany to apply them but you do need to get the timing and aftercare right to get control of the problem.

As always if you have any questions or need help just get in touch.

Take Care

Annie

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"The beast From the East", Spring Lawn Treatments , Lawn Renovation, Lawn Makeover, Independent lawn care and Treatments in West Sussex, Chichester, Bognor Regis, Emsworth, Aldwick , Middleton-on-sea

2/26/2018

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So it’s been a little while since I have had time to update my blog, it’s been so hectic over the winter period.

The weather caused by “The Beast from the East” means its frozen grass and ground so we won’t be putting any products down until the conditions improve which won't be before next week and that means I have a little admin time to catch up.

Just a quick reminder that with the amount of frost and snow forecast for this week its best to stay off the grass until its a little warmer as this reduces the potential for damage when the grass is a little brittle.
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I am just finalising our Spring Lawn Treatment programme and booking in those essential scarification and aerations and filling our limited slots for full lawn makeovers / lawn renovations., Take a look at our lawn renovation page on the website for before and after photos of some of the fantastic renovation / makeover results we had last year across West Sussex and Hampshire including Chichester, Rowlands Castle, Bognor Regis and Aldwick

https://www.lawnritechichester.co.uk/lawn-makeover.html



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​The early part of the year is full of conferences and seminars, I try to get to as many as possible as its important I am up to speed with what’s new and how my industry is changing whether through, new products, new ways of working or the impact of legislation on what we can do, when and how. 
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In January I was at the Annual Conference of the UK Lawn Care Association, it is always a great opportunity to network with other Independent Lawn care Companies from across the UK and to meet with all the major suppliers of the products and machines we need to deliver the best results for our customers. I always learn at these events and come away better prepared for each new season.
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I have commented before on the withdrawal of the chemical controls for pests like Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets and this year we had a presentation from BASF who are the main manufacturers of Nematodes, the remaining biological control. Listening to their expert explain how to get the best result from this natural product just reinforced what a challenge we have and why being able to properly explain each step and why it’s important is essential. Everyone in our industry talks about how difficult it is to get customers to irrigate lawns when its dry, whether that’s to keep them green or help new seed, well the simple truth with Nematodes is, if the rainfall is not plentiful, if you don’t water then don’t waste your money on them as you won’t get the result your looking for.  


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Every year regulatory change seems to remove a product or two from the market and this year is no different and in the summer of 2018 we will lose the last contact fungicide able to deal with diseases such as Red Thread so we will need to be ever more vigilant and work harder on cultural practice and customer education

It’s therefore more essential than ever that we make sure we manage health of the plant but also the condition of the soil that supports it

That’s one of the reasons why Lawnrite’s Spring Lawn Treatment will be an Organic based feed for all our customers in West Sussex and East Hampshire, as well as being a balanced feed its great for the  good organisms in the soil.

We know how important scarification and aeration can be for the health of the plant and soil and to help further we are adding some additional products to help with the soil nutrition, structure and health, these are particularly useful in the clay soils that dominate across much of West Sussex and Hampshire.
The new products and learning are all additions to our tool box to help give customers the luxurious lawns that they are looking to us for. 

The ability to be flexible in our use of products and being able to learn from such  a wide range of contacts is what is so healthy about being an Independent Lawncare / Lawn Treatment company and not part of a franchise with the potential organisational limitations that brings.     

Hopefully Spring is just a couple of weeks away………………!

Take Care
​
Anne
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Summer Sun, Lawn RENOVATION, lawn treatments, lawn diseases, lawn Care, chichester, Portsmouth, emsworth, bognor regis

7/12/2017

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So last night we had the first decent rainfall for weeks which should see a little more green on most lawns. Sadly the forecast for the next couple of weeks shows little sign of any more water falling from the heavens to help with the thirsty grass, so remember, if you are able, to give the lawn a heavy drenching at least once a week and keep that mower blade high until the dry spell breaks.   

Despite the lack of rainfall its still possible to make a difference as this lawn in Pulborough illustrates after just one treatment and some good irrigation, lush green and thickening up.
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It may be dry and in the middle of summer but so long as you follow the rules you can still bring tired and sad areas back to life.

Last month we were asked if we could renovate a lawn in Chichester which had been decimated whilst builders completed a renovation of a barn conversion, we could see from google earth how pristine it used to look but the house owner was delighted when we said we could revive it. We got to work controlling weeds before spending a day, preparing, aerating, scarifying, feeding, seeding and top dressing. The bottom image shows the lawn 18 days after that work and that's despite the hottest June days on record. Its all about helping the grass with good preparation, good irrigation and follow up care. 
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And here's another lawn renovation also completed in June, this time in Portsmouth.
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It's not just the lack of rainfall that is a challenge, the hot and humid weather is loved by fungus and we have seen lots of red thread and the one below, brand new turf , is under attack by fusarium which we controlled using a fungicide spray. As I always say if you see something not quite right with the lawn get in touch its always better to tackle something early.  
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So tomorrow we are working a little out of our area in Henfield tackling a clover problem across a housing estate, that's about a hectare of weed spraying so bubble bath tomorrow night but then we are waiting for the boiler man to come to restore our hot water....................................! 

Take Care

Annie
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Lawn diseases, lawn RENOVATION, lawn treatments and lawn care in Chichester, Bognor Regis, Emsworth, Barnham and the surrounding areas

5/29/2017

1 Comment

 
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Wow, the Great British weather, a few days of much needed rain, then fantastic weather and both for the bank holiday!
I love, hot, sunny day’s and evenings, getting home from treating lawns across West Sussex, sitting out in the garden or entertaining friends and family with a BBQ. I think relaxing on or by a lush green weed free lawn makes it all even nicer and brings out the colour of the rest of the garden.

This is a picture of my own small garden, it’s so vibrant at the moment.
​These long hot and dry periods can be very stressful for a lawn and like us, in this heat, your lawn gets thirsty; so remember to water deeply once a week, deeper watering encourages the plants roots to extend further and if you can, its best to water before the sun is on the lawn. Raising the mower cutting height a little also helps the grass cope with the high temperatures.  
The grass is growing like mad after the recent rain, so we are topping up the nutrient levels with our early summer feeds; these are designed for the higher temperatures that the season brings.
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The humid warm conditions are loved by some lawn diseases and I have been asked to help with a number of outbreaks over the last few days in Aldwick, Chichester and Emsworth, its mostly Red Thread but there have also been some reports of leatherjacket and chafer grubs damaging lawns so please keep an eye out for anything amiss, early identification and action will always give a better result.

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These warmer temperatures help with the germination of newly planted grass seed, so long as you are committed to a rigorous regime of watering you can get great results, this picture was taken this month 16 days after we completed a lawn renovation in Aldwick, near Bognor Regis in West Sussex.     
If you are putting seed down remember to protect it with a thin layer of top dressing and keep it moist until the seed has germinated and new grass is growing well. ​​

​That's all for now, as always get in touch if you want help or advice about your lawn.
Take Care
​Annie x

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    Hi I'm Annie and I love lawns and gardens. I own and run Lawnrite providing lawn care advice and treatments across East Hampshire and West Sussex 

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