June
Secrets of a Master Greenkeeper
- by John Quinn, Master Greenkeeper
This month sees the start of our great new monthly Bulletin fromGreenmaster’s Managing Director and Master Greenkeeper John Quinn.
Greenmaster’s hot tips for your lawn in June
Mowing Tips
Top Tip: In dry weather raise the height and don’t box off the clippings…let them fly.
Watering
Like all plants, grass needs water to survive. However, the fine fescue and bent grasses make the finest lawns and are much less susceptible to dry conditions than many other grass types. When watering your lawn use the rule of “deeply not daily”. In other words in dry weather give your lawn a really good soaking once or twice a week rather than a light application every day. This practice allows the whole soil profile to re-wet and as it dries out again from the top down the finer grasses are encouraged to put down deeper and deeper roots in search of moisture, leaving the shallow rooting weed grasses like annual meadow grass struggling to survive.
Top Tip: Water deeply not daily.
Dry Patch
On fine lawns watch out for a disorder known as Localised Dry Patch. This usually occurs in areas where compaction and/or thatch are a problem and causes large dry, yellowing patches to appear on the lawn. On investigation with a soil probe the soil will be powder dry and even when watered the water will appear to sit on the surface. The soil in these areas has become unable to accept moisture. There’s a lot of science behind this problem, but for now its enough to know that it can be helped by the application of a wetting agent before watering. These products lessen the water’s surface tension and allow the soil to gradually re-wet. Its best to make some shallow holes in the turf before this application is made, preferably with a Sarrell type roller.
Top Tip: Use a sarrell roller to create holes before applying a wetting agent and water in well.
Feeding and Weeding
Weed control can be carried out on any of the more difficult weeds that have failed to succumb to earlier treatments. Choose weedkillers that include MCPA, Triclopyr or Fluroxypyr On the feeding side the lawn will benefit from an application of nitrogen fertiliser such as Angus Turfcare Spring and Summer Fertiliser after the vigorous growth through May, especially if you box off your clippings. Apply this evenly at 35grams per m2 to achieve a consistent release without growth flushes.
Top Tip: Use Angus Feed, Weed and Mosskiller for a one application solution to feeding and weeding in June.
Coming up in the July edition
Mid Season Mower Clinic
Just when you needed it most your mower seems to have lost its edge. Revive blunt blades quickly and avoid the inconvenience of sending your mower away mid season.
Tennis Elbow Treatment for Lawns
Yes those of us with kids young and old know that lawns tend to get a bit of pressure around Wimbledon time when the old racquets in the shed get a dusting down for their annual mad fortnight. Top tips next month for a hard wearing, yet beautiful lawn.
Holiday Preparation
You’ve got your lawn looking great, but now its holiday time and it will be neglected for 2 whole weeks! Learn how to prepare for the hols so you don’t come back to a lawn that looks like it needs a holiday!