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

​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!

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.

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

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.   

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

​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.

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.  

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