How to regenerate your lawn?
70% of French lawns are more than 10 years old.
With time, the lawn loses its freshness and vitality. If this is the case with your lawn, it is possible to renovate it without any heavy work.
For optimum results, you should follow these 6 steps in succession:
To get rid of a large part of the weeds and optimise the next operation.
Set the cutting height on your mower to about 3 cm. At the same time, ensure that the blade is as sharp as possible to ensure a clean cut with no risk of tearing the grass and yellowing.
With time, the lawn loses its freshness and vitality. If this is the case with your lawn, it is possible to renovate it without any heavy work.
For optimum results, you should follow these 6 steps in succession:
1. Cut the grass short:
To get rid of a large part of the weeds and optimise the next operation.
Set the cutting height on your mower to about 3 cm. At the same time, ensure that the blade is as sharp as possible to ensure a clean cut with no risk of tearing the grass and yellowing.
2. Treat the lawn :
To eliminate the moss that has appeared in the damp parts of your lawn.
Treat the areas concerned with a moss killer. Choose a product that does not mark paving.
To eliminate the weeds, apply a lawn weedkiller as soon as the temperature rises above 15° C.
Leave the moss killer or weedkiller to do its job, then scarify 10 to 15 days after applying it.
Remark: for these treatments, use a spray gun equipped with a herbicide spray shield and scrupulously respect the dosages and conditions of use.
Treat the areas concerned with a moss killer. Choose a product that does not mark paving.
To eliminate the weeds, apply a lawn weedkiller as soon as the temperature rises above 15° C.
Leave the moss killer or weedkiller to do its job, then scarify 10 to 15 days after applying it.
Remark: for these treatments, use a spray gun equipped with a herbicide spray shield and scrupulously respect the dosages and conditions of use.
3. Scarify :
To eliminate the layer of thatch and moss which suffocate the grass and to aerate the soil.
Set the scarification depth to between 2 and 4 mm maximum. NB: set it too deep and you risk tearing up the roots of the grass.
Do this operation only on damp ground, not when it is waterlogged or too dry. If necessary, water the grass first.
For total effectiveness, criss-cross the lawn. Do not be surprised by the quantity of waste material you extract.
After scarifying, carefully pick up the moss and waste material that risks "suffocating" the lawn.
Your job will be made much easier if you use a scarifier equipped with a collection box. Failing that, use a rake or, better, your lawnmower. The lawn may look rather unattractive for a few days after scarification.
Set the scarification depth to between 2 and 4 mm maximum. NB: set it too deep and you risk tearing up the roots of the grass.
Do this operation only on damp ground, not when it is waterlogged or too dry. If necessary, water the grass first.
For total effectiveness, criss-cross the lawn. Do not be surprised by the quantity of waste material you extract.
After scarifying, carefully pick up the moss and waste material that risks "suffocating" the lawn.
Your job will be made much easier if you use a scarifier equipped with a collection box. Failing that, use a rake or, better, your lawnmower. The lawn may look rather unattractive for a few days after scarification.
4. Reseed :
To "patch up" bare or thinning areas.
Select a seed mixture specifically designed for renovation. NB: cheap lawn seed is often of poor quality – try to buy Red Label seed if you can. Lawn seed bearing this label consists of an optimum mixture of the best grasses.
Use a seed spreader and criss-cross the area to be treated to ensure regular sowing.
Spread 3 to 5 mm of special lawn compost or sand. Make sure you smooth the layer added, covering over the seed by lightly passing a rake over it.
Select a seed mixture specifically designed for renovation. NB: cheap lawn seed is often of poor quality – try to buy Red Label seed if you can. Lawn seed bearing this label consists of an optimum mixture of the best grasses.
Use a seed spreader and criss-cross the area to be treated to ensure regular sowing.
Spread 3 to 5 mm of special lawn compost or sand. Make sure you smooth the layer added, covering over the seed by lightly passing a rake over it.
5. Roll and water :
Roll to compact the soil, to consolidate root development and encourage the growth of new shoots.
Immediately after sowing the seed, go over it with the roller to increase the contact between the seed and the soil and therefore germination. Use a light roller: it will be easier to push and will not pack the soil too much.
Opt for a model with rounded edges, so as not to mark the lawn.
Regular rolling will help to keep your lawn level and smooth.
Water to encourage the grass seed to grow and to activate the fertiliser.
Water the seed with about 3 to 5 litres of water per m².
Once the lawn is established, water quite frequently, evenly and without forming puddles, with 5 to 10 litres/m². For greater comfort and effectiveness, it is recommended that you install an automated in-ground sprinkler system.
20 to 30 days after sowing the seed, mow it a first time to equalise it (adjusting the cutting height to its highest setting), then go over it with the roller.
Immediately after sowing the seed, go over it with the roller to increase the contact between the seed and the soil and therefore germination. Use a light roller: it will be easier to push and will not pack the soil too much.
Opt for a model with rounded edges, so as not to mark the lawn.
Regular rolling will help to keep your lawn level and smooth.
Water to encourage the grass seed to grow and to activate the fertiliser.
Water the seed with about 3 to 5 litres of water per m².
Once the lawn is established, water quite frequently, evenly and without forming puddles, with 5 to 10 litres/m². For greater comfort and effectiveness, it is recommended that you install an automated in-ground sprinkler system.
20 to 30 days after sowing the seed, mow it a first time to equalise it (adjusting the cutting height to its highest setting), then go over it with the roller.
6. Fertilise :
To provide the soil with the nutrients and minerals it needs and stimulate the growth of new seed.
Spread a special lawn fertiliser, 2 to 3 months after seeding. Preferably apply a slow-release fertiliser, which produces a lasting effect with no risk of burning. Ensure you use the right dosage and apply it at the times recommended on the packaging.
During the same period, apply if necessary a selective weedkiller for young lawns to eliminate the weeds that survive mowing. There are mixed dual action products on the market: fertiliser + herbicide.
Spread a special lawn fertiliser, 2 to 3 months after seeding. Preferably apply a slow-release fertiliser, which produces a lasting effect with no risk of burning. Ensure you use the right dosage and apply it at the times recommended on the packaging.
During the same period, apply if necessary a selective weedkiller for young lawns to eliminate the weeds that survive mowing. There are mixed dual action products on the market: fertiliser + herbicide.
