Caring for your Garden

We want you to enjoy your garden throughout the year, so it’s important you take steps to keep it in great condition. As your landlord, we are not responsible for the general maintenance of your garden, but we have put together some guidance to help you look after it in the best way.

Help your soil breathe

You can make small air holes in your lawn using a garden fork or aeration shoes (available you’re your local garden centre). This helps the lawn cope better in dry weather and grow thicker. We recommend doing this in spring (March-May) and autumn (August-November). It also improves drainage and keeps the soil from becoming too compact.

Planting shrubs

Planting flowers can help brighten up your garden in areas where your grass might be thin, such as around the edges or near fencing and walls. Flowers also help reduce weeds and improve the soil. While you should avoid planting trees (as their roots can cause damage), small or medium sized shrubs are usually fine. You can ask at you garden centre which kinds they suggest. Please check your lease before planting or removing anything in your garden, as there may be restrictions in place.

Garden accessories

Wait until the grass has fully settled before adding ornaments or children’s toys to your garden. Move any garden accessories around regularly so the grass underneath can keep growing and to avoid pooling and water-logging. This will also prevent grass from wearing away.

All lawns need seasonal care to keep them healthy and looking their best. For newly-laid turf, please remember:

Your lawn needs to be watered every day for the first eight weeks after it has been laid, either early morning or during the evening. Don’t water if it’s already raining, especially in winter.
Avoid walking on the grass for a minimum of three to four weeks, until the roots have taken hold.

Pets

Your garden is a great place for pets to play, but only once the grass has fully taken root. If pets run on new or very wet grass, it can cause damage and affect how well it grows in the future. Dog urine can cause yellow patches so you should water to any affected areas as soon as possible, or use a sprinkler to cover wide areas.

Seasonal advice

Spring

In early spring, fill any dips in the grass with stone-free top soil or top dressing, and add grass seeds.
Use lawn feed on your grass ideally just before or just after rain.
Start mowing once a week at a height of 40mm.
Apply a thin mix of 50% sharp sand and 50 % peat as a top dressing.
To prevent moss, regular feeding will help or you can use specific chemical treatment if needed.

Summer

Gradually lower your mowing height to 13-25mm (medium to low setting) and cut the grass once or twice a week.
Use a weed killer or suitable hand tool to remove unwanted growth.
Water your garden once a week (after the first eight weeks). As a guide, one-metre-squared of grass needs around 20 litres of water each week. Water well in dry weather.
Loosen the soil where grass is thin and add grass seed. Then lightly rake it and water.

Autumn

Make small, deep holes in the grass at a spacing and depth of 10-15cm to let water and air in.
Use a rake to remove old grass and moss.
Reduce grass cuts to once a week and increase the cutting height to 40mm. In September, you should cut the grass for the last time until spring and feed apply an autumn lawn feed. Brush away any leaves and rake until spring.

Winter

Try to avoid using the grass heavily during the winter to prevent damage to your lawn during the wettest months. If you have just moved into your property and your lawn is newly-laid, the grass won’t be settled and it is important to stay off of it.

Waterlogging

Heavy rain and lack of care can make your grass boggy with water collecting on the surface. This can cause the to turn yellow, wilt and die. If your notice your lawn becoming waterlogged, you should:

Avoid walking on the grass, as this will make it worse.
Try and gently brush excess water towards a run-off area or down a drain using a soft-bristle brush, then spike the lawn as deeply as possible.
To draw moisture out of your lawn if it stays wet for a long time, you should add a thin layer of top soil or sharp sand.
The ground under your grass can take up to 12-18 months to find its own natural drainage, so some pooling or standing water is normal during very wet periods.
It is your responsibility to maintain the garden in all weather conditions.