Despite it still being winter, there are many gardening jobs to be getting on with, including lawn care, according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Experts have explained all the jobs that need to be done in February to get your lawn sparklingly come late spring. 1. Mowing. Garden enthusiasts are advised to keep mowing their lawns during warm weather, as grass begins to grow at temperatures above five degrees. Despite common misconceptions, winter mowing can actually contribute to a healthier lawn, provided the weather allows.
Experts suggest setting your mower to its highest cutting level and ensuring the grass is completely dry before you start. They warn against mowing wet lawns, as it could damage both your mower and the grass. They also advise: "If you have bulbs planted in your lawn, such as snowdrops and crocuses, they may be starting to come up now, so avoid mowing or walking on those areas.". 2. Repair and re-cut lawn edges.
According to the pros, February is an ideal time to repair bare patches, particularly around lawn edges. They suggest using turf cut from other parts of the garden if possible, reports the Express. They recommend: "Re-cut lawn edges too using a half-moon edging iron or flat-bladed spade, to neaten up the appearance of the garden and save work next season." They also advise maintaining a 7.5cm gutter around the lawn edges to prevent grass from encroaching on your borders.
3. Avoid walking on a frosty lawn. With February often bringing frosty conditions, experts caution against walking on lawns during these times. This is because the cold makes the grass blades brittle, and walking on them can cause damage. The professionals warn that this might even result in brown footprints that take a long time to fade. 4. New lawns. The RHS has issued some timely advice for those looking to get their gardens in shape for the warmer months. They suggest that now is the time to start prepping the ground for a new lawn, but only if the soil conditions are right.
The gardening experts advise: "Start preparing the ground for sowing a new lawn in spring, but only if the soil isn't too wet. Fork over the area, weed thoroughly, rake level and firm lightly. "Doing this several weeks in advance gives the soil time to settle, so you have an even surface for sowing in March or April, once the weather is warmer.". When it comes to laying turf, they recommend doing so when the ground is free from frost and not overly wet, adding: "Lay turf when the ground isn't frosty or very wet. Work from plants, to avoid compacting the soil.".
