Turf Tips for March

February has felt like May at times, especially over the past week — with parts of England “hotter than Barcelona and Rome”. It’s easy to get carried away as we enter March with the feeling of spring in the air; however, there will still be some frosty weather ahead, especially in the mornings. The tips below are essential if you’re looking to keep your lawn fresh and healthy as the weather and daylight hours gradually increase throughout March.

Cutting your lawn with caution

With warmer weather and more sunlight, it could be beneficial to give your lawn its first cut of the year. It’s important not to reduce the height to more than a quarter of the total length of your lawn, so you’ll likely need the highest setting on your lawnmower. By taking the top off, you may stimulate lateral growth whilst the grass is working hard to produce heavy green leaves that aid the photosynthesis process — whereby plants use sunlight to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide and water. If you cut your lawn too short, you will be putting your grass under unnecessary stress, which can hinder your lawn’s health. 

Is now the time for nutrition?

You may want to use a spring lawn fertiliser (at the manufacturer’s recommended rate) to increase vitality and prevent moss and weeds from establishing during March. The primary nutrients that aid growth are nitrogen and potassium, yet phosphorous and magnesium can also help. That said, it’s not a good idea to add too much, too soon. These can be washed away from the soil in heavy rain, so depending on the weather, the plants may not be able to use large volumes.

Don’t be scared of scarification

March is an ideal month to begin scarifying your lawn. This is the process of removing organic matter from around the stem of the grass plant to maintain a healthy growing environment above and below the surface. By removing dead grass blades and lawn clippings, you can keep your lawn in excellent health.

Diseases can still run rampant

If you have any yellowish grass spots that make your lawn look like it’s dying or turning brown, this could be a fungus known as fusarium. Fungus issues can escalate quickly, with patches increasing in size fast — some may surpass 30cm in diameter, potentially merging with other affected areas. If you’re experiencing these issues, we recommend applying a fungicide to control the effects of the disease. In doing so, you will help your grass fight off fusarium naturally, whilst you can improve your soil’s health and drainage with special feed and weed treatments.

These are just a few of our top tips for March, but should you have any questions or require fresh, quality turf to bring your lawn back to life as we build-up to the warmer months of spring, please do not hesitate to send us a message, or call us on 01234 714 555 or 01727 821 765 today.