Hints & TipsBuyers Guides
Buyers Guide to Blowers
Buyers Guide to Hedge Trimmers
Buyers Guide to Chainsaws
Buyers Guide to Lawn Mowers
Buyers Guide to Strimmers and Brushcutters
Buyers Guide to Ride-On Mowers and Garden Tractors
Lawnmower Brands
AL-KOLAWN TIPS1 When mowing, the key to success is little and often - 'little' in this case meaning not too closely. Light cutting encourages the grass to produce extra shoots, and stunts weeds and coarse grasses. Most lawnmowers offer the facility of raising or lowering the height of cut. Mower blades need to be set at different levels according to the weather and amount of growth.2 To produce the sought-after striped effect, you simply cut the grass in parallel lines, mowing alternate lines in opposite directions. Each time you mow, remember to work at right angles to the direction of the previous cut; north-south one week; east-west the next.3 Before you start cutting, make sure that the grass is as dry as possible and free from surface litter. Lightly brush off dew or rain, wormcasts and dead leaves. When cutting the grass, you should always push the mower forwards steadily. Do not pull the machine to and fro and try not to lean heavily on the handle.4 Clippings are best collected and removed - unless you mow very frequently. Allowing them to lie on the surface of the grass encourages worms and diseases and you'll probably find clippings all over your carpets too. 5 As a general rule, in Summer you should cut the grass at least once a week, preferably twice if you can manage it. Do not mow too closely or the colour and texture of the grass will deteriorate. During droughts and in the Spring and Autumn months, mowing once a week is sufficient.6 Apart from mowing, your lawn will require feeding, weeding and occasionally watering to maintain healthy growth. To produce a flourishing lawn you need soil which has the right balance of plant foods like nitrogen, potash, phosphorous and lime. Buy an inexpensive soil testing kit if you want to know the exact composition of the soil and which nutrients (if any) are lacking.7 The average lawn will benefit from an annual Spring application of fully balanced fertiliser. Fertilisers not only encourage the grass to grow faster but also more densely. As a result, weeds and moss are crowded out and the lawn retains its good, even green colour. Apply fertiliser when the grass leaves are dry and the soil is moist for the best results. Water the lawn if no rain falls within 48 hours.8 For small lawns, weeding by hand is the most effective means of tackling the special rosette or matt kind of lawn weeds, or you can 'spot' treat individual weeds with a recommended weed killer. For a larger lawn, use a 'broad spectrum' type of weed killer which will destroy a wide range of weeds. You could also use a combined weedkiller/fertiliser mixture.9 We usually receive sufficient rainfall in this country to maintain a green healthy lawn. If the weather is particularly dry and the grass begins to lose its bright green appearance, occasional watering is beneficial. A good soaking once a week is what you should aim for. Dampening the surface causes more harm than good - the earth should be soaked to a depth of at least 4 inches. A revolving sprinkler gives the best coverage.LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE Always refer to the Manufacturer's handbook before carrying out any maintenance on your lawn mower.
Rotary Lawn Mowers:
Change or sharpen the lawn mower blades and have their balance checked to get the best from your machine. Blunt or damaged blades won't cut the grass cleanly and as a result the ends of the grass will be bruised, leaving brown tips. Imperfect lawn mower blades or those incorrectly balanced will also drain more power from the engine or electric motor, and can cause serious and expensive damage.
Electric motors require specialist attention, so contact your local lawn mower specialist. If you do decide to make any adjustments yourself, ALWAYS disconnect the lawn mower from the mains. Petrol engines are simpler to deal with, although again, if in doubt, consult your lawn mower specialist. Check and clean the air filter if you have been using it in dusty conditions, as a partly blocked filter will affect the running of the engine. Prolonged use will accelerate wear and tear in the engine. Change the oil according to engine manufacturers' recommendations. Before use, make sure that the guards are in place and are in good condition and check the engine oil level. ALWAYS remove the spark plug for maximum safety when working on your petrol engine. Finally, check and lubricate the controls, wheel bearings, swinging guards, roller bearings and chains.
Cylinder Lawn Mowers: All the above tips apply equally to cylinder lawn mowers and in addition, if you have the Atco Qualcast QX system, then all you have to do is take the cassette to your local lawn mower specialist for sharpening. Garden Tractors and Riding Lawn Mowers: Anything other than changing the oil, sharpening and balancing the blades and changing the air filter should be carried out by a lawn mower specialist. MONTH BY MONTH LAWN CARE GUIDE JAN/FEB
If weather is mild, occasionally cut the grass with the lawn mower blades set high - to maintain about an inch of growth. Check equipment. Keep off the grass if frozen or waterlogged. MARCH
Rake the grass thoroughly using a special rake or wheeled equipment. Spike the lawn all over and apply lawn sand if necessary. Keep lawn mower blades high and just 'top` the grass. APRIL
Re-seed bare patches, apply fertilisers and moss killer towards the end of the month. Mow regularly, lowering lawn mower blades gradually to 3/4 inch. MAY
Keep mowing, increasing the frequency as required. Treat with selective weedkillers or combined weed/feed preparations if you haven't fed the lawn in April. JUNE
Mow lawns twice a week if possible working to a definite pattern. Water grass if necessary, remembering to soak thoroughly. JULY
Treat grass with second application of fertiliser or weedkiller/fertiliser. Water in as necessary. Do not crop the grass too closely - raise lawn mower blades as required. AUG
Keep on mowing regularly and watering as necessary. (You must have a licence to use a sprinkler or hand-held hose). Fill any cracks caused by drought with a mixture of sharp sand and soil. SEPT
Raise lawn mower blades to allow the grass to thicken and protect roots from winter frost and snow, and increase interval between mowings. Apply Autumn-Winter fertiliser, weedkiller and mosskiller. OCT
Rake out thatch from turf and spike lawn to assist drainage. Brush in peat and sharp sand. A rotary lawn mower with a collector is particularly useful at this time of year to collect dead or loose leaves. Continue cutting as necessary. NOV
Use a stiff broom to remove wormcasts from the grass. Raise lawn mower blades to allow 1 inch cut. Do not mow if very wet as this will compact the soil and encourage waterlogging. Treat "fairyrings" with fungicide. DEC
Rake all debris from lawns. Continue occasional cutting if weather is mild. Service your lawn mower and any other garden machinery. | 
