february

Lawn Care Tips

February is part of the low season for lawns, but that doesn\’t mean there\’s no maintenance work to do if you want great looking, healthy grass all year round.

This month we cover our top tips for February lawn maintenance.

Do\’s and Don\’ts

New Year Resolutions done and dusted. The Lawn Care season is just around the corner. Be prepared!  Here are a few essential tasks to consider in February:

• Service your Mower
• Clear those leaves!
• Trim the Edges
• Prepare for the season ahead
• Still to early to Mow

Service your Mower

As you\’re unlikely to need your mower, winter is a good time to clean and service your lawn mower. Clean the outside, underside and the mower blades (don\’t forget to take the spark plug cap off!). 

Check mower blades are sharp and look out for any dents. Tighten nuts and bolts if necessary. 

You can also book your lawnmower in for a service if it needs some extra TLC. Servicing your lawn mower in the winter months, means that the first proper cut will be as kind to the grass as possible.

 

Can\’t be bothered with all that! We recommend

Mendy Mowers who will have your mower ready for the the season ahead.

Clear those Leaves

Just like in January, it\’s preferable to keep off the grass as much as possible in February. This will avoid compacting the soil. However, throughout the whole winter, it\’s important to clear the leaves and other debris from the lawn. Leaving leaves on the lawn could starve the grass of light and weaken it.

What Should I Do to my Lawn in February?

During February, you should focus on things that will improve the quality of your grass when it starts to grow again in spring.

 

If you want to smarten up your lawn, you can cut in the lawn edges during February. This will create a much tidier appearance during the winter and save you some time as the weather gets warmer.

Is It still too Early to Mow?

Yes, February is a little early to start mowing your lawn. Generally, lawn growth will be slow at this time of year, and mowing the lawn isn\’t required. Weather conditions are also cold and wet which are not ideal for cutting grass. If it has been unseasonably warm and dry and you feel like your grass needs a tidy, make sure you set the mower blades to their highest cutting height and only trim a small amount.

The grass isn\’t as strong and healthy in its low season and you need to keep some length in the blades to soak up plenty of the limited sunlight available.

Can I Fertilise my Lawn in February?

The grass is still (near) dormant and is not growing very quickly in February.  Any fertiliser applied would not be taken up by the grass plant and would more likely be washed or leach away.  

 

Towards the end of the month,  order a spring lawn feed that can be applied from March through to September.  Look for a fertiliser that contains Ferrous Sulphate (Iron) as this lawn treatment will improve the appearance of your lawn whilst offering moss control. 

 

Not sure what fertiliser to choose? Bewildered by the vast array of fertilisers in the Stores? Can\’t be bothered with all that!

 

Why not get in touch with AJS Lawn Care who can provide an annual Lawn Care program for the season ahead..

Is Aerating the Lawn a Good Idea?

Aerating the lawn with a garden fork is a good task for February as it helps improve drainage and soil compaction. It can also help oxygen to circulate. Only carry out this job if the ground is dry enough and there is no frost.

 

Aerating your lawn manually takes a lot of effort and time.  You should consider booking AJS Lawn Care to carry out a mechanical aeration of your lawn. 

What About Scarification?

Scarifying your lawn in the February months is not recommended. The cold weather and frozen soil mean that carrying out this task could cause more damage to the lawn than good, so it\’s best avoided. It\’s best to remove thatch when the grass is in a healthy state of growth and can recover quickly.

 

Scarification is a popular task that is carried out in March and April and slots are limited!  You should consider pre-booking AJS Lawn Care to carry out a scarification of your lawn for March or April. 

Boss the Moss

Moss loves damp, shady areas. If you notice a slight build up of moss then you could apply an iron based liquid treatment in January. This will blacken the moss and it will need raking out.

 

If the moss is excessive, once raked out you could be left with bare spots that weeds take may advantage of.

 

Consider booking AJS Lawn Care\’s Boss the Moss treatment for March next year.

Winter Lawn Care Tips

Here are some tips for dealing with other winter problems and challenges:

 

Worm Casts: As the soil is damp at this time of year you might notice casts as worms move through the surface of the soil. This is a good sign, as they help to cultivate and improve the soil. However, if casts are left to build up they can encourage weed growth, so you can keep on top of them by brushing back into the lawn when dry. This will help distribute nutrients in the soil too.

 

Frost: Keep off the grass at frosty times, as stepping on it can cause damage. Try to reduce shady patches where possible as they will take a long time to thaw. Protect grass with windbreakers where possible as strong winds can cause extra damage to frozen grass.

 

Lawn diseases: Cold, wet conditions can cause lawn diseases. Treat these as soon as possible, and plan your feeding schedule for spring, summer, and autumn to strengthen your lawn before next winter.

It might be cold, wet and dull, but a little February lawn care goes a long way and will set you up perfectly for March and the incoming spring weather!

Talk to us

Have any questions? We love talking all things lawn! 

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