Topic 8 Grassed Surfaces

Question 1

Scarifying involves

Answer 1

Raking lawn to remove thatch (debris) from soil surface. work in one direction then perpendicular

Question 2

Why remove thatch?

Answer 2

To help the lawn cope with drought allowing water to reach soil and improve air circulation

Question 3

What can poor air circulation lead to?

Answer 3

Fungal problems

Question 4

When to scarify

Answer 4

If you can’t see soil through grass blades in autumn or spring

Question 5

How often and when to mow

Answer 5

March to October (weekly or fortnightly)

Question 6

Why regularly mow

Answer 6

To remove weeds, encourage denser turf and keep the look

Question 7

How to professionally mow

Answer 7

Do edges once or twice then lines so you can turn mowing without going into the beds etc

Question 8

If you have to mow in winter use…

Answer 8

A high cut setting

Question 9

Never mow when….

Answer 9

ground in very soft, wet, frozen, cold drying winds

Question 10

Cutting heights should be higher if

Answer 10

you want to grow small wildflowers

Question 11

Never cut more than

Answer 11

one third of the grass height at any one time

Question 12

Summer height should be

Answer 12

13-25mm

Question 13

Spring and autumn height should be

Answer 13

up to 40mm

Question 14

Fine lawn height should be

Answer 14

6-13mm

Question 15

New lawns grass should be how tall before cut?

Answer 15

5cm (and blades on highest setting)

Question 16

If grass is really long/first cut of year

Answer 16

Strim and rake first to avoid choking mower with clippings

Question 17

Why avoid excessively close mowing

Answer 17

It can weaken grass, encourage shallow rooting and increase susceptibility to drought damage, weeds and moss

Question 18

How to get a striped lawn

Answer 18

Need a rear roller. Mow edge and then work from the left using a straight lawn edge to get a guide. For a circular/irregular lawn find a focal point to line up with at the widest point and cut a straight line. Overlap each line slightly on the return.

Question 19

If doing stripes why vary cut direction regularly?

Answer 19

To prevent ruts forming