Search - Articles

the growing conditions to discourage moss and help the grass fight back. Encourage the grass to grow vigorously by feeding it and avoiding mowing too closely. In autumn and spring, scarify the lawn with a spring-tine rake to remove any moss. On compacted soils

-leaved shoots. They pop up all over the place and grow faster than the grass, so it's obvious when the lawn needs mowing.The shoots are the runners of one of my favourite plants, Salix exigua, or the coyote willow. This is about the tallest plant I have

or a spike-like daisy grubber. Alternatively, slash though the mats of foliage with a knife at weekly intervals to weaken and loosen the plants. Collect mowings from the lawn, as this can help spread daisies. Pull or dig out daisies in borders by hand

dug up. Keep digging them out. It isn't an easy job, as you need to get every last bit - any remaining fragments of root will re-sprout. Use a fork to avoid breaking up the root. Regular close mowing will keep most lawn infestations in check

in no time. The best organic control is digging the plant out and trimming it to keep it in check if you don't want to remove it altogether. If it spreads onto the lawn it can be controlled by mowing. If you don't want to dig it out, you can spot

compost to dig in over winter, or pile onto the soil for the worms to drag underCut down marginal plants surrounding pondsSend off for mail-order seed and perennials cataloguesMow your lawn on a dry day with the blades set highWrap outside taps

after the wildlife in their garden and boost the balance between beneficial insects and pests.Mow lawns regularlyTreat problem weedsTidy up hedgesAround the gardenTie in young delphinium growth to plant supportsSow hardy annual flowers directly into beds

with more of your favourite plants for free.Add lawn cuttings to the compost heapMow and edge your lawnTie stems of tall perennials to supportsAround the gardenKeep baskets and patio pots wateredSpray roses to protect them from pests and diseases

weather sets in.Use a fork or hollow-tined aerator to spike lawnsDig up and pot up tender perennials to bring indoorsRaise the cutting height when mowing the lawnAround the gardenPlant crocuses, fritillaries and dwarf narcissus in lawnsPlant up patio pots

noticed, except the butterflies, of course, and the blackbirds and the robin and the frogs.I can see the benefits of having an artificial lawn, a lawn that stays green and lush under trees and in between goal posts, that you don't have to get up to mow