Most people like the idea of having a beautiful lawn in there garden but few people actually understand the fundamental basics on how to acheive the best results.

There are many attributes to obtaining a "perfect" lawn and the timing on certain tasks can vary depending on the area you live. Below is a simple guide that will set you on your way to acheiving a better lawn.


March
This time of year is when the grass calendar will start. At some point during this month you will start to notice that your lawn has started to grow again after the winter period is coming to an end.

New Lawns
For new lawns this is the time to rake and treat the seed bad and applying pre-seeding fertilizer. Choose suitable seed mixture and sow it at 1-2 oz, per square yard.
Watch for sysmptoms of damping-off and mow the grass when its approx 3" high.

Established Lawns
For the established lawn its now time to make the first cut which will help with the health of the lawn.
Firstly rake up any leaves or debris from the lawn that has fallen over winter. The first cut should take place as soon as the grass has grown to approx 2.5" - 3" tall but you should have the mower set on a setting whereby the grass is cut to approx 2" - 1" high.
Check the edges of your lawn and repair any that have crumbled or started to over-grow around your borders.
To assist in the growth of the grass apply some Weed & Feed (following the instructions closely that are supplied).
After a couple of weeks you will start to see some blackened areas where the weeds have died so now is the time to aerate the lawn by raking out the dead weeds, thatch and moss. To also help aeration spike the lawn with a garden fork or aerator tool. This process also helps with the drainage of the lawn.
Watch out for fusarium patch disease and treat with mercury fungicide.
If you suffer from a substantial amount of moss, as well as following the above aeration techniques you can also apply mercurised moss compounds.

April
This time of year the lawn is starting to grow continously and its this time of year that you need to keep on top of any problems to ensure the grass is in good health for the coming year.

New Lawns
Mow twice a week if necassary and use a roller to firm the seedlings if required.

Established Lawns
Mow, aerate, apply spring fertilizer and scarify.
Continue mowing frequently, lowering the blades at each successive cut, down to a minimun of 0.5".
Level out any humps and fill in any hollows. Treat fusarium patch if present. Apply selective weedkillers and mercurised moss compounds.

May
New Lawns
Cultivate new sites for autumn sowing and leave rough during the summer.

Established Lawns
Apply sulphate of ammonia. Continue regular mowing. Apply fungicides for disease control. Continue to apply weedkiller.

June
Established Lawns
Continue mowing, raising blades during very dry weather. Spike the lawn to allow water to penetrate. Apply fungicides for control of dollar spot and corticium. Treat with weedkillers if necessary.

July
New and Established Lawns
Water copiously in dry weather. Aerate surface of lawn. Apply fungicides to control fusarium, dollar spot and corticium.

August
New Lawns
Apply top dressings to sites for new lawns. A week after this sow grass seed.

Established Lawns
Inspect and decide which areas need renovation (if any). Continue applying weedkillers and fungicides as necassary.

September
New Lawns
Aerate, apply sharp sand, compost and scarify to remove debris. Apply autumn fertilizer. Control weeds, fungal infections and moss.

October
New Lawns
Mow when grass is 3" high. Roll to firm seedlings if loose.

Established lawns
Remedy defective drainage and lay new drains if necassary. Aerate, scarify, hollow-tine and treat with autumn fertilizer.

Turfing
Prepare weed-free turf bed, allow to settle and rake in fertilizer.

November
Complete laying turf. Continue drainage operations. Apply autumn fertilizer. Make final cut and bring in mowing machines for overhaul in preperation for winter storage.

December
Dig over areas to be seeded in the spring. Treat against leatherjackets.

January
Check drainage outlets. Prepare top dressings for spring use. Continue areation treatment. Lay turves in favourable weather.

February
New Lawns
Continue preparing spring bed seeds.

Established Lawns
Aerate and scarify in dry conditions. Apply worm-killing preperations and lawn sand. Treat moss with mercurised compounds.