A good start for the lawn – in four steps

Spring start always means starting the lawn. Now you want to give the lawn a spring -fresh green again. However, it is not just about the fact that the lawn looks good again quickly. « In spring, the prerequisites for a functional, dense and attractive lawn will be created, » explains Martin Bocksch, agricultural biologist and member of the board of the German Rasen Society (DRG). Before the helpful robotic lawnmower takes up its work again, the lawn has to get a good start treatment – and that goes in four steps:

Remove leaves and compensate for bumps

If you look at the carpet plagued by cold, lack of light and moisture, you can discover autumn leaves everywhere and dry sticks from the winter storms. Martin Bocksch advises to use a strong iron rake. This collects everything that lies loosely on the turf – the top layer of the lawn. « One or the other grass plant is removed, » says the agricultural biologist and explains that this is not a problem, but even desirable. Many of these dead or at least weakened plants are sick. In this way, infection carriers are removed directly. Therefore, the material should not be composted.

Sometimes it is striking after the winter that mole and earthworms have raised piles of earth. They ensure bumps in the long term. Larger piles of earth are distributed with the rake, while the smaller earthenworm piles are leveled when rolling. The corridors of voles should also be pressed back – about step by step or with a heavy roller. « Unique lawyers are enough to restore the ground connection, » says Martin Bocksch. It is best to do this when the floor is slightly damp. If he is too wet, there is compression that result in problems for root growth.

If the dry plant residues are removed and the surface is rolled smooth, it becomes clear that some grasses have already grown vigorously. These grasses have a clear growth advantage. To get an even area, you have to slow down this advantage.

First cut into the fishing basket

The classic lawn mower is brought out of the winter quarters and the sharpness of the cutting unit is checked. Then it may be improved. Landscape architect Alexander Fonken says: « We recommend that the lawnmahd initially start with a manual mower. The robot insert should only start at the appropriate temperature or with the appropriate growth. »

Now all grasses are brought to a height. Martin Bocksch recommends a cutting height of around four centimeters – it is best to retain it until June. Another important tip: « The clippings of this first cut is collected with the catch basket or removed from the lawn with a rake. » Otherwise there is a risk that a felt will form that weakens growth.

Mineral fertilizer ensures lush green

Now nitrogen is fertilized, relatively early, as long as the soil is still damp from winter or precipitation loosens the fertilizer grains. Finally, this nutrient gift is to be absorbed over the root and boost root growth. « In early spring, nitrogen fertilization has little or only a very low impact on leaf growth, » said Martin Bocksch. Roots grow well compared to the leaves or drives at significantly lower temperatures.

It is important to use a mineral fertilizer in the form of ammonium or nitrate. This is the only way to achieve the desired effect of root growth with the fertilization. Organic fertilizers must first be converted into a plant available by microorganisms. However, these processes need a floor temperature of at least 12 degrees Celsius.

A tip: When shopping in the garden center, at the gardener or in specialist shops, pay attention to the quickly available shares. The declaration field on the pack provides information about the shares.

As a result, the winter yellow tone soon dodges and the grasses become fresh again. This means that there is more chlorophyll in the leaves again and the metabolism gets going. So the roots grow into the depth, which is the basis for a stress -resistant, vital lawn. With increasing temperatures, the development of the shoots is increasingly promoted. « Gaps and winter damage are closed, weeds and mosses are displaced by the dense grass scores, » says Martin Bocksch.

Regularly scarify and water properly

Vitals, stress -resistant lawns in early spring are the key to a good year of lawn. According to Martin Bocksch, the grasses do not yet grow in early spring. Damage that generally occurs when scarifying cannot be regenerated. So first it says: boost the growth as described and, if necessary, work out the grass scoring with the scarifier in the course of the year. In addition to needs and location-oriented irrigation and fertilization, Alexander Fonken also recommends scarifying the lawn two to three times a year.

One of the most common mistakes in lawn care is pouring lawns. The tip is: it is better to pour less often, but penetrate it. 15 liters per square meter are usually sufficient for six to ten days. The constant superficial watering is counterproductive because the surface matters and the grasses are even more sensitive to drying out. Anyone who actually thinks about an easy -care and ecologically valuable area should sow a wildflower lawn. The big one: This is not a homogeneous, all year round uniform area that can be used to play, celebrate or for sporting activities.