Buying grass seed.

People often ask if we sell grass seed. The short answer is no. We buy our grass seed by the tonne in bags of 20kg which will cover 570 square metres. The mixture that we buy has been similar since the 1980s when we started growing our own turf, but each year we try to improve the results with adjustments to the cultivars selected. At any one time there are hundreds to choose from with varying qualities.

If you have an area of around 500 square metres to seed by all means call us. If we have enough stock for our current requirements, we may be able to sell you a bag or two, however, we would not be able to sell part of a bag. If we can’t spare any at that time we will suggest trying Mole Valley Farmers who sell a lawn seed mixture, or search online. There is a good chance that their price will be lower than ours so you may like to try them first.

For patches or small areas to seed, garden centres and even supermarkets (in season) sell boxes of grass seed. The box should tell you the seed mixture, coverage and instructions. We generally use 25% ryegrass and 75% a mixture of fescues. It varies a little from year to year but a mixture like that will look very similar to our turf. Even if you put down seed which is a little different from this proportion, over time it will all look the same as the grass plants grow and spread. It is definitely not crucial to get precisely the same seed.

When sprinkling seed with your hands you will need about 35g per square metre. If you have such a large area you are using a tractor and seed drill you could reduce it down to 20g per square metre.

The advice on the RHS website is very helpful, you can find our more here – https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=424

We supply quality turf all year round. If you would like any further advice on winter lawn care or would like to talk to us about your order, please contact us on 01392 231040 or email sales@wesellturf.com

Moles can create quite a big problem in lawns and gardens, and of course their mole hills are much more visible than some of the smaller pests we get in our gardens.  But how can you get rid of these furry little creatures, especially when you have just invested in top quality turf?

Mole lawn damage often happens in the spring and early summer as this is when the animals are closer to the surface. In the summer they tend to be deeper underground.     

Mole Traps

Humane traps work by letting a mole into the plastic tunnel via doors that close behind the mole and traps it. Then simply remove the trapped mole as far away as you can to a new location where it can happily continue doing what it is designed to do.

You’ll also need to ensure you check these traps at least every day as moles feed regularly and will starve quickly. TV gardener Toby Buckland recommends washing your trap in soapy water to remove the scent of humans (moles are clever little animals and won’t go near anything that smells of humans). Place the primed trap in the run, which often appears as raised tunnels between the hills. Bury the trap with grass and then cover with a plant pot to avoid pets and visitors setting off the trap.

However, if you have a dog that digs you might wish to avoid traps altogether!

Mole Repellents

Alternatively you can use materials which the mole finds offensive.

Try putting something down the tunnel that smells bad and is preferably biodegradable. Try a pickled egg down the mole hole, human hair, very old cheese, sour milk or even garlic can also be effective deterrents.

If you are not keen on any of these, you can buy natural mole deterrent bulbs. Simply plant them in your garden and they secrete a smell which is almost undetectable for humans but moles can’t stand.

If this is not for you, you could try a solar mole repeller. They create a low-frequency vibration in the soil that spreads out within the target area. Such vibrations aim to mimic the sound created by another animal digging – such as a predator or a competing mole. Moles are generally solitary animals with their own territory. Just push the devices into your lawn and leave them – it’s that easy. 

Happy mole hunting!

We supply quality turf all year round. If you would like any further advice on winter lawn care or would like to talk to us about your order, please contact us on 01392 231040 or email sales@wesellturf.com

Aerating your turf or lawn is a great way to prep it ready for the summer months.  Aeration lets air and water into the soil to encourage better root growth and allows the roots to absorb more nutrients from the soil. It is an important job to do in early spring (March is ideal) after the harsh winter months and when the grass is starting to grow again.

When soil becomes compacted, even slightly, it can inhibit the flow of air, water and nutrients that support thicker, healthier turf growth. Even a thin layer of compacted soil (just 1/4 – 1/2  inche) can affect the health and beauty of your lawn.

If you think your turf is compacted, maybe it looks stressed? Or is hard to the touch? Or do you have rain puddles in your lawn? do the screwdriver test. Simply use a regular screwdriver, insert it into your lawn by hand. If it doesn’t slide in fairly easily and it meets some resistance, your soil is likely to be compacted.

Why you should aerate your lawn?

1.         Aeration improves soil water uptake
2.         It helps the roots obtain more oxygen
3.         It helps fertilizer to penetrate into the turf
4.         It reduces water runoff and puddling on your lawn
5.         Aeration promotes stronger turf grass roots
6.         It helps to reduce soil compaction
7.         Aeration helps improve heat and drought stress tolerance
8.         It helps breakdown thatch

How to aerate your lawn.

Aerating is best done when your soil is damp, from either irrigation or rainfall the day before. Overly dry soil can be really tough however, don’t aerate an overly wet lawn either.

There are three main type of equipment that can be used, from small manual pieces to larger tractor-like machines

Spike aerators. These simply poke a hole down into the soil with a solid spike. The easiest ones to use are aerator “sandals” which you strap to your shoe, and simply walk across your lawn. These are great for homeowners and small areas.

Slicing aerators. These have rotating blades that cut or slice through grass and thatch and down into soil. Like spike aerators, slicing aerators leave soil in the ground, but they create pathways for air, water and nutrients without causing more compaction.

Core or plug aerators. These are typically preferred by lawn professionals. They use rows of hollow spikes that remove plugs of soil from the turf and deposit them on top, where they break down. The size of the plugs and the holes they create vary in width and depth, depending on the machine used. 

Many local gardening services can do the job for you, or you can rent equipment from your local hire shop. A lot like mowing, you work back and forth across your lawn, concentrating on problem areas, like pet runs.

We supply quality turf all year round. If you would like any further advice on winter lawn care or would like to talk to us about your order, please contact us on 01392 231040 or email sales@wesellturf.com

Winter is one of the quietest times for your lawn, you can now breathe a sigh of relief after all the hard work maintaining it throughout the summer and autumn months. You will be pleased to know you only need to carry out a few tasks before hunkering down and hibernating enjoying all things warm and cosy indoors.

What’s left to do for your lawn in winter?

It’s all about stopping after all, so try not to walk on wet grass as your footprints in soft soil will leave a bumpy surface. But it’s not a big deal if you do.

But before you stop completely remove any final fallen leaves which can rot down and smother healthy grass. Look out for any last remaining areas of maintenance. Do you have any puddles forming?  This may mean you have poor drainage or compaction and will need to look at aeration in the spring, but if you want to get out and put air back into the soil it’s perfectly fine to do it during the winter months.

Don’t despair if your lawn does become water-logged during the winter, you may need to over-seed in the spring. A relatively simple and easy step.

You might want to move any garden furniture to stop it from winter damage and also give the lawn a chance to recover from it’s weight.

Mowing will have almost certainly have come to a halt for some, however, venturing out once a month is a good idea, but avoid mowing if the lawn is too wet.

All applications of fertilisers and weed killers will have to wait until the spring when the grass is growing.

If frost or snow is likely

The great news is that frost and snow don’t really do any damage to your lawn. Damage can occur when there is movement across it, so it is advisable to try and stay off your lawn to reduce footprints in your grass when it is frosty, frozen or after a heavy snowfall. But thankfully there won’t be any long-term damage, grass is surprisingly resilient and any scorch marks will grow out by spring. So don’t be put off building that snowman when the snow comes!

Laying new turf

It may come as a surprise to know that is perfectly fine to lay turf during the winter months, it really is very resilient. Frost and snow will not do any damage. Winter is actually quite a good time to lay turf as it gives the turf time to settle in and take a firm root. It might be worth noting that turf maybe more difficult to locate in garden centres, during the run up to Christmas, but it will be available to order from us by phone any time. (Click here for more information on laying turf in winter.)

With your feet firmly up, and with that log fire burning, it’s the ideal time to draw up a spring time maintenance plan and get your garden tools in working order (maybe even ask Father Christmas for some new ones) and don’t forget to include any mower repairs, so that by the time spring is on the horizon you will be lawn ready.

If you would like any further advice on winter lawn care or would like to talk to us about your order, please contact us on 01392 231040 or email sales@wesellturf.com

Autumn Lawn Care

As summer dissolves into autumn and the evenings draw in, our gardens appear quieter, with diminished child’s play as children return back to school and BBQs are packed away. However, September is actually a great time for you to continue to enjoy your garden, and to roll up your sleeves and prepare your lawn for next year before the winter months set in.

The extra maintenance and nurturing now, will help restore your lawn back to full health, so that come next spring it will bounce back with vigour and strength.

We’ve prepared a few pointers to help you on your way. 

Clearing

Remove fallen leaves and debris from your lawn so that light can still reach the grass evenly and doesn’t leave patches whilst still allowing the grass to breathe.

Weeding & Moss Removal

Early autumn is a good time to get to grips with the weeds and removal of any seeds that have germinated. It’s also a preferred time for lawn treatments to prevent weeds from over wintering, or simply remove the weeds by hand if you only have a few problem areas (remember to get the roots though).

Cooler, wetter conditions can increase moss growth. It may be worth considering a moss treatment. Ideally, mow the lawn first, rake out the moss and then apply a moss killer to the remaining moss.  If you apply a moss killer wait a couple of weeks before raking out moss.

Raking and scarifying

Rake off (scarify) dead moss, old grass stems and any debris (thatch) vigorously to enable fertilisers to penetrate and for water to access the root system. If you need to apply chemical weed control do it at least a month or two before scarifying. Don’t apply any weed killer afterwards but wait until the following spring. 

Aeration

Aerating your lawn will allow for better movement of air in the soil and root system, therefore good preparation now gives it a better chance of recovery in extreme conditions. You can hire a aerator or spike manually depending on the size of your lawn.

Remember to fertilise the lawn after aerating to produce deeper rooting.

Feed

It’s also a perfect time to add fertiliser to your lawn in September and October. Autumn fertilisers are high in potash and phosphates, enabling recovery from the summer’s heat and protection from disease and the harsh winter conditions ahead. It also ensures your lawn remains a beautiful healthy green.

Warmth, moisture and fertiliser allows the grass to recover, so September really is the optimal time for maintenance. For treatments to take effect it’s good to start before temperatures dip and growth stops.

Over- seeding

The soil is still warm in September so this is a perfect time to sow new seed and perk up a tired or damaged lawn. Wetter months are ideal conditions for seeds to germinate. But do be prepared to water them if the weather turns dry and keep off the area until they have established. Ideally, prepare the area first by mowing and raking to give the seeds a better chance of taking root.

It’s important to fertilise and over-seed your lawn after raking or scarifying. If you don’t you’ll risk a slow recovery and patchy lawn with lots of weeds. So it really does pay to invest in your lawn in the autumn.

Mowing

Mowing can continue weekly as the levels of moisture continue to keep grass at it’s best. When the temperature cools and the growth rate decreases raise your mowing height on your mower a couple of settings at least until spring time. The last cut will probably be between October and November.

And finally, to Turf

This is the optimal time of year to lay turf. It has the best chance to establish quicker as the soil is still warm enough to stimulate root growth, and the summer heat has gone so the autumn rains don’t have chance to evaporate, providing much needed hydration.  From October onwards the speed of growth will slow down, but don’t let that discourage you: lawns can be ready for use within 4 weeks, that’s the beauty of autumn.  As the winter sets in you will be reassured that your new lawn is nicely established and it can go to sleep whilst nature takes its course, ready to be woken anew in the spring.

Click here to find out more about laying turf 

We supply quality turf all year round.  If you would like further advice on lawn care this autumn or would like to talk to us about your order, please contact us on 01392 231040 or email sales@wesellturf.com