A perfectly lush, green lawn is not only appealing to the eye but rewarding too. That said, looking after your lawn under the hot African sun is hard work. Besides our climate – which can be harsh in many parts of the country – there are various other obstacles that can hinder the health of your lawn. Maintaining a
healthy lawn begins with knowing how to care for it. Here’s our guide to everything you need to know about lawn dressing.
First things first – how does lawn dressing work?
Also known as top dressing, lawn dressing aids your lawn in a number of ways. The health of your lawn is dependent on that of the soil. Soil that’s low in nutrients (like the sandy soil found in the Western Cape) isn’t conducive to a healthy lawn.
Lawn dressing is the first step in nursing a lawn back to health as it adds nutrients and organic materials to the soil. Most importantly, it restores the natural balance of the soil structure as well as aiding in the treatment and prevention of diseases.
When should I apply lawn dressing?
In South African gardens, lawn dressing is initially applied in August and September as this is the beginning of the growing season. The application of lawn dressing is an ongoing process, and is typically conducted approximately every 12- 13 weeks according to seasonal requirements.
How is lawn dressing applied?
Before you apply your
lawn dressing, it’s crucial that you aerate your soil. This will enable the nutrients in your lawn dressing to permeate the soil. The easiest way to go about this is via a spike roller or a garden fork. Your lawn is now ready to be fertilised.
There are several options available, and organic fertilisers – like manure – are often favoured by families with small children or pets. Fertiliser works due to its high concentration of Nitrogen. We advise using micro-granulated fertilisers that release their nutrients over a period of time which will sustain lawns for longer than other types of treatments.
What other treatments should I consider besides lawn dressing?
Lawns house thousands of organisms. Some of them, like earthworms, assist in keeping a lawn healthy as their tunnels naturally aerate the soil. Others, like termites or caterpillars, can wreak havoc on your lawn.
It’s advisable to have any pests dealt with by professionals in order to ensure that the extermination process is conducted properly which will safeguard against future infestations. Fungal infestations need to be dealt with by professionals too, as many DIY applications only deal with the symptoms of these unsightly diseases. Another problem faced by lawn owners are weeds. Specific treatments tailored towards the weeds in question are preferable as the eco-system of each lawn is unique.
If you’re unsure what treatments your lawn requires, we suggest contacting one of our lawn care specialists who’ll assess your lawn and advise you on the best way to care for it.
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Image Credit:
Just Me 
