​Wow, what a fantastic weekend with record temperatures and unbroken sun shine, it’s been dry for a good few days now and the forecast for the south coast suggests no significant rainfall this coming week so if your lawn is looking thirsty give it a good soaking and remember that a deep occasional watering is best.
 
I do love to see the local wildlife in my customer’s lovely gardens and as the climate is warming so the species are changing, this fella was found in a garden in Aldwick, West Sussex soaking up some rays, the little fella in the back ground is Rascal, a Labrodoodle, that’s another perk of the job meeting everyone’s pets.

​Every year I am asked to look at lawns in Emsworth, Chichester and Bognor Regis and the surrounding areas that have been damaged by lawn pests and as the soil temperatures are on the rise, so biological treatments for Leather Jackets and Chafer Grubs can again be purchased. ​These are common lawn pests and can be devastating to lawns.

As we move into spring and the soil warms keep an eye out for signs of leather jacket larvae damage. These critters can destroy a lawn so reduce the potential for damage by checking for grubs. These beasties range in size from 1-3cm; they are the larvae of the crane fly. They love the roots of the grass plant and happily munch away for months unnoticed as they live just under the surface until they emerge as adult daddy long legs in late summer / early autumn.

Regulations changed in 2016 and there are no longer any pesticides that can be legally applied to control these pests.
 
Are you are worried you may have them lurking in your lawn?
 
Are you noticing birds or animals digging and picking at the lawn?
 
Are any area’s thinning or looking stressed, pay attention to the edges of the lawn; is the root structure weaker than elsewhere?
 
If you see any signs of trouble try digging a few holes in the suspect area, use a trowell or small fork to lift a little turf, just go down three or four inches and see if you can find any grubs.

The damage can be extensive as this picture illustrates.

So In the absence of chemical control can anything be done?  
 
The good news is that there is hope, but first be sure you have identified the grub correctly – if you have Chafer grubs rather than Leatherjackets it a whole different ball game – your Lawn Care company should be able to identify the grub for you.
 
If you find leatherjackets and the population is of a size that worries you, then you could try covering the whole lawn (or just the affected area) overnight with black plastic sheeting, make sure the soil is damp, this encourages the grubs to come to the surface so they can be picked off and destroyed. Simply gradually roll back the cover in the morning and remove the grubs as you go.
 
There is an organic remedy and that’s to use 'Nematodes' these are tiny worms that enter the grubs infecting them with a bacterial disease that kills them.  Nematodes are available from a number of suppliers and the good news is that you don’t need a licence to apply them.
 
Nematodes can work but as living organisms, to increase your chances of successful control, you need to follow the storage and applications instructions. If you cut any corners then you are likely to have wasted your money with what can prove a very expensive treatment.

The 'nematodes' need to be refigerated on receipt and applied before their use by date, make sure you have worked out how you will apply them before ordering, if you are planning to use a hose applicator check your water pressure is sufficient..

The work needs to be done when the sun is not direct so early or later in the day if its sunny.   
 
The ‘nematodes’ need a warm soil 12C or above, so it’s best to invest in a soil thermometer, (they can be purchased online) remember to check day and night time temperatures  and in shade and direct sunlight as the temperature will vary across the lawn.
 
If you are applying by watering can or applicator make sure the rose or any filter has big enough apertures to allow the ‘nematodes’ to flow through, make sure everything is clean..
 
‘Nematodes’ work best in the Autumn but if you are attempting control in spring the treatments will be at a higher density, it’s not possible to overdose
 
Once you have applied the ‘nematodes’ then you need to make sure you keep the soil damp for the next two / three weeks to help them move to their prey, if the soil dries out its unlikely the treatment will work.

Here's One of the most popular sites to obtain the Nematodes from: 

https://www.nematodesdirect.co.uk/

Freephone: 0808 901 2055

As always if you need help or advice or have a concern about your lawn or lawn pests just get in touch me at annie@lawnrite.co.uk or call 01243 216333

Take Care
Annie 
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I recorded the temperature at over 17c in this garden in West Sussex, this new customer keeps some areas as natural meadow but we are asked to prepare and improve the lawn for a celebration towards the end of April.

​From this angle all looks ship shape but close up  there is heavy moss, thactch and weed clumps.

Usually, with the extent of moss and thatch I would reccomend scarification but as we need the lawn to look better for April, we don't want to risk the weather intervening and slowing recovery so we have agreed a plan to make the lawn look better for the planned get together and complete the heavier work later in the year. 

I started with a moss control and "Headland Quick Start" spring feed and am back this week to complete a weed control. Further visits will follow over coming weeks and we may perk the lawn up just before with a seaweed spray if its needed.

Flexible Lawncare planning is what being an Independent non franchise company  allows us to do.

Once we have reduced the moss and thatch levels we may look to move this plan to our "ultimate moss" programme to stop future build up of the problem moss and thatch.

After spending  a few hours putting down the moss control we headed off to treat some customers who prefer an organic feed programme.  

I am busy with spring treatments at the moment and, for the most part, the weather is being very kind but........ 

Spending so much time by the coast means the sun can quickly disapear and this week we had sea mists rolling in so one minute its in the high teens and five minutes later I'm reaching for the fleece and flask of coffee (black no suger in case you are wondering), 

Its also the time of year when the phone and email enquiries flow in, the one's I realy like are when someone has seen our work and/or had us reccomended to them and  asks us to make their lawn look like their neighbours, there's an example below, the lush green one, we take care of and just over the fence is the chalenge we got to start work on this week, we will soon have it in tip top condition.   

As soil temperatures are rising, we have recorded double figures in some lawns, so pests and diseases can cause some problems, please keep an eye out for any unexpected changes to the lawn, it might be nothing but best to check it out to avoid problems further down the line. Its a few weeks before nemotodes are available to protect from and /or treat leatherjackets and chafer grubs but orders can be placed now for early delivery, always follow the instructions for use to the letter to get good results.

I was reminded of the damage these pests can do when I visted a customer in Chichester whose lawn was destroyed last year by leatherjackets, we were able to deal with the pests but it was too late in the year to consider rennovation. This week we prepared the ground, overseeded and put down a thin layer of top soil / top dressing to protect the seed and encourage germination. Seed needs to be in contact with the ground/soil and have moisture or it will not germinate. I will be back once the plant starts to grow to give it a nutritional boost to help it establish, this process is much more cost effective than re turfing.   

Annoyingly I discovered vine weevil grubs in some of my fruit tree pots this weekend so I have been busily dealing with these critters and will be applying nemotodes when they are available. I only found them by accident, they had been munching on roots but above the surface all was fine, just goes to show we all need to be on our guard as nature has a way of throwing challanges at us.

As always get in touch if you need advice of help with your lawn.

Take care

Annie x     ​

After yestrrdays balmy temperatures we are out and about, if slightly colder, completing more spring treatments in Aldwick and Pagham. The front verges in the picture show the difference our work can make. The grass at the bottom, which we take care of, is lush green, weed and moss free. The one at top is full of moss, daisys and other broadleaf weeds, we dont treat that one!

We have started to see soil temperature hit 9 degrees so we are completing our first lawn rennovation of the year this afternoon. Its a lawn that was destroyed by leatherjackets late last autumn. We were able to control the pests but it was too late in the year for us to overseed.

So i have already dealt with the weeds and today will prepare the ground, lay seed then top dress to protect the seed and help it germinate, its much more cost effective then laying new turf.

If you need help getting your lawn in shape this spring, get in touch.

Take Care

Annie x

This week we took the machines out of storage and got to work removing moss from new customer lawns to help the grass take back ownership of the lawn.

There are short windows in spring and autumn to do this work as the lawn needs time to recover. Right now works as its warming up and the grass is growing so the lawns will be right for the BBQ season to come.

We remove a lot of moss and thatch and to deal with any remaining moss we also apply a spray straight after the scatification

We then apply a feed formulated for the season to give the plant a further boost.

It helps if the lawn is cut short before the process so that the blades of the machine can do their work, the lawn will also look tidier afterwards.

Never scarify when the lawn is very dry or very wet, if you step on the lawn and squeese out water its too wet.

​If your lawn needs a moss reduction plan, then get in touch, the ground will soon be warm enough for our "ultimate moss control" treatment.

If your keen on "DIY" lawncare this video from The Royal Horticultural Society provides a good guide to some spring activity.

​ https://www.rhs.org.uk/videos/advice/Spring-lawn-care

We have some new treatments this year which can tackle moss and algae on hard surfaces without the need to presuure wash, so if you have fences, driveways, patios, decking or pathways that need help to get ready for summer give us a call.

Take Care

​Annie x  

On Monday I started my Spring treatment programme, this is timed to work with the rising air and soil temperatures so the grass can thrive from the start of the season.

We also tackle weeds that are also starting to show as the weather improves and if there is lingering moss we will deal with that as well.

If your treating your own grass take care to follow the label instructions on the products you use. Its better to spend a few extra pounds on good product designed for the season and tools to apply it then much more on repairing damage caused by two much or too little put down at the wrong time.

The photo at the top is a customers lawn in Tangmere West Sussex, thats the back lawn, the front is below. They both look great and thats before i apply the spring tonic and the reason is the treatment we applied in the autumn which helps the grass over winter.

At the moment some lawns are still too wet to mow, but if you get the chance to cut be gentle at first and never cut more than 1/3 of the blade, your lawn will thank you all year if you don"t cut it short in spring.

Tomorrow, if the conditions are right, we will start some spring scarification work, this is when we use our machines to remove thatch and moss from the turf, Its an invasive process so the lawn can look a little jaded afterwards but we also apply treatments which, along with the warming conditons, means recovery will be quicker. This is me in Walberton West Sussex this morning putting down feed.

We are tracking the rise in soil temperatures as its critical to some of our treatments particularly our "ultimate moss control" but also for laying seed and lawn renovation. Remember if you are trying to fill any bare patchs that have developed over winter you will get better results if you sprinkle a little top soil/dressing on the seed, just enough to cover not to smother and don't let it dry out.

Remember grass seed does not last forever so if you have a box of it thats been sitting in the shed for a year don't be surprised if your results ane not great if you use it.

If you use good seed and a little care you will get great results without spending a fortune in new turf or "miracle" patch repair kits.

If you woukd like your non franchise lawncare expert to help give me a call.

Take care

​Annie x

I popped in to see this customer in Aldwick West Sussex last week, she was worried about a little redness on the lawn as she thought it might be a fungus called"red thread". I was able to tell her that the "reddish" tip of the blade was a symptom of the end of winter, just below all was fine and just to complete the first lawn cut of the year to bring up the green. A few days later I receive this photo and the comment "the lawn has never looked this good this early in the year", happy days.

In the autumn we scarified and aerated these lawns and used a low nitrogen feed all helping to maintain the grass and roots through the winter months. I am starting my spring treatment programme next week so this lawn will be looking even better very soon.

Quick reminder that if you do see something that worries you on the lawn, give me a call or send me a photo, it's better to be deal with anything early and it's all part of the service.

Oh and on the same day the neighbour asked me to start a treatment programme for her lawns as they need a little "Lawnrite Love". #firstdayofspring, #springisintheair, #independent lawncare

Take care

Annie x

So storm “Dorris” brought havoc to the much of the country and I am sure we have all been picking up plant pots and other debris over the last few days.

In the South “Virgin Trains” told people to avoid all unnecessary travel and in the North it was time to get the “big coat” out!

These changeable weather patterns are a sure sign that spring is upon us and this Wednesday marks the first day of the metrological spring.

Of course in the astronomical calendar, equinoxes mark the start of spring and autumn and solstices mark the start of summer and winter. This year the spring equinox falls on March 20.

The air temperatures are getting milder and hopefully here in the South the risk of a severe frost has passed. Critically, soil temperatures are on the up and so we can start to plan lawn renovation, whether that’s a spring scarification, over seeding or a full lawn renewal, it will be soon be perfect conditions to complete the work.

Every day I see new flowers blossoming in the garden and around us the parks are starting to fill with colour. Nothing beats the taste of “home grown” and I have planted new varieties of tomato this year and they are germinating in the warmth of the house, can't wait to tuck in.

Of course changeable weather and temperatures can cause some lawn diseases so keep an eye out for any patches or lawn discoloration and if you see something amiss give us a call as it better to be safe than sorry.

For those of you who have suffered from Leather Jacket or Chafer Grub attacks in the past a reminder that there are currently no chemical treatments to deal with an infestation or to help prevent one. The only solution, apart from good long term cultural practise, for these pests is nematodes which you water into the lawn, these are available by mail order but not until April as the soil temperature has to be right for them to be effective.

You can place an order now ready to take action. Please, please follow the label instructions as you have to maintain the right soil conditions whilst these little creatures do their work.

As always if you have any questions on lawn care or lawn treatments get in touch and I will do my best to answer them or if you live in East Hampshire or West Sussex I would be delighted to talk to you about your lawn(s).
​
Take Care
Annie x

So the weather is teasing us at the moment with the warmest February 20th for over 100 years, typically a Monday!

I spent the last weekend in the North and wow so much moss around in the gardens up there it really has been a great growing season for moss. The picture is of a lawn in Leeds, the "in laws" which will get our Ultimate Moss Control Plan in the Spring when I take on the lawn care for the first time. Its full with moss and we will soon have the grass seeing that off!

Still the warmer weather is a great chance to get in the garden and get serious with the pruning and cutting back to make sure all the plants and shrubs have the space they need for spring.

Its a good time to plant new trees and shrubs, make sure you check how big it will grow to avoid space problems later and try to visualise what the area will be like through the season, I find a little sketch plan helps, it’s all too easy for things to get crowded as the growth picks up so a little preparation saves on remedial work later down the line.

If you have some shrubs or rose bushes that would benefit from a better position in the garden then thats also something that can be done now whilst the plant is still dormant- make sure you leave at least 20cm clearance for a small bush or rose plant but up to 50cm for a small tree, when you are replanting, don't worry about cutting the big roots when you dig the tree/bush up as the small roots will regrow. 

If you like the idea of a fruit tree in your garden but don't think you have the space  you may find dwarf trees work well for you and give a good crop.

On the lawn it’s still a good time to tackle the moss and to start thinking about the first spring feed and weed control.

If the lawn is dry enough get the mower out and trim any growth, gentle and high for the first cut and never more than 1/3rd of the plant. It’s always best to leave the grass a little longer in spring it helps the plant to grow and to keep any weed seeds in the shade and discourage them from germinating to allow the grass to dominate.   

It’s still a little cool and wet to get stuck into lawn renovation but it’s a good time to plan what’s needed.

As always if you need Lawn Care Advice or would like help with any lawn problems and I will try and help and visit if you are in Hampshire or West Sussex.

Take Care

Annie
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So for two days this week we took a break from the Winter Treatments to attend the annual conference of the Lawncare Association. The association, is a not for profit group, its members are all Independent (none franchise) Lawn Care Companies with shared goals and values. The Association sets a code of practise and provides a forum to share knowledge and best practise and bring people together as well as providing a voice to the Independent Sector of our industry.

The setting at Bisham Abbey was supberb, one of the homes of Elite British sports men and women and where the British Womens Hockey Team where based before winning Gold at Rio, infact the very pitch they won it on was first  installed in Bisham for them to practise on and then dismantled and put back together in Rio for them to win on.

We were luckly to receive a talk from  the head Groundsman for Bisham, St Georges (where the English Football team train), Lilleshall and the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham. He reminded us how important it is for all in the "turf" related industries to share knowledge as we all face many of the same challenges in dealing with lawn diseases, pests and keeping the grass green.

We were reminded that if the ELite Athletes from Bisham had been a team at the Rio Olympics then they would have been 17th in the medal table, thats ahead of Austrailia! The hallways and public areas are covered in pictures and quotes from sporting heroes from the recent and more distant past as a motivational reminder of what human spirit and endeavour can acheive with the right mind set.  

So taking on the Olympic Spirit there followed two days of debate, networking (not all in the pub) and presentations on topics as diverse as "Lawn care fertilisers: a history, evolution and future", "the Power of Social Media Marketing ", "Online Marketing – Google, SEO, AdWords and Measurement", "Pesticides, Herbcides and Insecticides".

There were associated exhibition stands from industry leading suppliers of fertilizer and many other products that we use to help the lawn's to fight the weeds, moss, pests and diseases and its mightly helpful to be able to discuss products directly and see whats new.

It all started with a talk from Professor John Moverley of the Amenity Forum who talked to us about the general importance of the amenity industry to the community as a whole and how everyone is impacted by what we do and how we do it - the Forum have lunched a realy good awareness campaign  - Take a look at the video below and find out more at ​http://www.amenityforum.co.uk/getmoving.html

s
The big two challenges I think all the industry is facing is how the changing climate is affecting moss growth and how regulation is impacting on what, how and when we can apply products.

​Dr Colin Mumford from Bayer reminded us  that his company was formed as far back as 1863, their first big product was Aspirin launched way back in 1899 and that Bundesliga member Bayer Leverkusen started as the factory team.

Bayer are one of the leading suppliers of "amenity" products and until last year supplied the only insecticide product that was highly effective in dealing with the main Lawn destroying pests, Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets. The product was withdrawn because of a regulatory decison last year, a rule that seems to have been driven by politics rather than science but "we are where we are".

There are organic nemotodes that can be used to deal with these pests but only at certain times of year, when soil conditions are right and the soil has to be kept moist for several weeks to make sure these little organisms can travel through the soild and get to the pests.

This is not just a problem for domestic Lawn Care, these pests attack grass where it tastes good to them and the gound conditions suit, so think golf courses, race courses and one that does not immediately spring to mind "airports". These pests eat the roots but the major damge is  often secondary and caused by feeding badgers or birds and you can see why having an attractive grub feast for birds on grass next to a runway may cause  some alarm for those responsible.

The good news is that the potential for harm means an emergency application is being made to allow the product to be used, the bad news is this will take some time and may not be successful and as Chafer grubs can have a lifecycle of up to five years this problem will run and run. 

We are here to help so if you have a problem with Grubs get in touch with us or your local independent lawncare company (search for them at  https://www.uklawncare.net).

And so to Moss, a hot topic for many delegates, the relativly mild winters of late and 400 million years that Moss has had to learn how to adapt means it seems to be getting worse each year. It has two growing seasons once in Autumn and again as Winter moves into Spring. The traditional way of dealing with Moss is to apply Iron and to Rake and Scarify.

In 2016 we became aware of some new lawn products which incorporate a composting bacteria to break down moss and organic matter into nutrients whilst feeding the lawn, they have the added benefit of reducing thatch levels as the bacteria convert this "organic matter" to feed for the grass. We trialed it last year and based on those positive results are launching a new program in 2017 called "Ultimate Moss Control" this is designed to control moss and thatch without raking, blackening and with less need to scarify so reducing mess and having to wait for the lawn to recover.

If you would like to hear more about this programme just call e-mail or follow the link to our home page  

So a highly infomative couple of days, new friends and contacts and as always new learnings to help us help you

Please get in touch with any questions.

Take Care

Annie
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