RECOVERING YOUR LAWN FROM DROUGHT | ARE WETTING AGENTS WORTH IT? | Lawn Association

[@richardfarris6418]

Excellent video. Finally some proper informative stuff for UK lawn enthusiasts. 👏👏

[@jeremyminns5627]

Another fantastic video👍 working with nature not against it.

[@stephenwilliamson6118]

Another very informative video. I remember 2018 and seeing all the brown grass, even here in Pilling Lancashire. It all comes back given time. I have seen a little brown this year but have stopped mowing in hot spells and this seemed to work. We have grade 1 land in our garden as the surrounding fields. The true grass product you sell is very good and certainly improves the soil. If anyone wants to learn more I highly recommend the Lawn Association online course, I have learnt a great deal from this. I am a big fan of native grass, not only is it a spreading grass but you get more seeds per pound. Great channel, keep them coming 👍🏻

[@lawnassociation]

Thanks for the kind words Stephen, so glad your enjoying everything!

[@paulwhitemore1801]

Just found your channel and love the information simply explained. we moved into our present house three years ago and seemed to be getting the lawns into quite a reasonable condition then this summer one of the lawns seems to be infested with ants! Do you have any tips to control them? Thanks Paul.

[@lawnassociation]

Ants can be tricky to control and do move up and down in the profile in wet and dry conditions. Nematodes can help if timed and used well but no guarantee I’m afraid. We hope to launch a product next year but for now, annoy and interrupt their habits with good lawn care…

[@paulwhitemore1801]

@@lawnassociation Thanks! Will mow the buggers into submission! Tried nematodes with no noticeable effect! Thanks again Paul

[@martinlogan8329]

Great video as always David, thankyou. Question on core aeration if I may - I've got a baked heavy/clay soil (due to me stupidly digging the old lawn down to level it a couple of years ago and then doing a poor job at adding adequate top soil afterwards), what would I top dress with after hollow core aeration ideally? Isn't the idea to actually fill the holes rather than letting them just collapse in? I'd like to repair the damage I've done but I've top dressed with a westlands fine sandy top dressing for a year or so after core aeration and I'm not convinced it's been good for the lawn. I think there's a small peat content in the bags and I'm thinking maybe that's what has led to the lawn baking and going as hard as concrete this summer? I think next time I should probably just use a regular top soil?

[@lawnassociation]

Hi Martin, the idea of filling holes come from golf who try and get a surface back to taking a ball roll. So unless we need to we have to ask what are we trying to do. When they collapse, small cracks and fissures appear which is great for surface de compaction, root development, water movement etc. So unless you have surface water issues why fill them with anything? If we add sand, it’s an inert material so little value there. If you need seed germination then soil is far better at holding moisture. If tou don’t have any reason to add material ( mowing over 20 mm for eg) then don’t just because someone says you must. If tou want to add something to break down clay, then think of soil conditioners, Truegrass feeds etc down holes but often lawn holes can be left

[@martinlogan8329]

@@lawnassociation Thanks for the reply and advice David. It's always an eye opener listening to your views on things. I hadn't even thought to question why I want to fill the holes... I've just seen loads of youtubers do it I suppose?! 🤷🏻‍♂️😂 Thanks as always. I'll improve the soil and then switch to bent. For now its probably best I keep to the fescue that's survived the crappy soil currently because for some reason that's the only thing that seems to take it. The rye died off pretty quickly. So doubt the bent will like it either until its improved. Thanks and enjoy the rest of your weekend. 👍

[@grahammacklam4736]

A key to drought tolerance, especially in areas with low rainfall like the South East is species selection. At the risk of sounding controversial, tall fescue and rhizomatous tall fescue seed mixes aka 'water saver' are an option. Their rootzone goes deeper than most others taping into extra water. Some have also mentioned over seeding with micro clover to create a drought tolerant, minimal fertiliser lawn.

[@lawnassociation]

There’s lots of choices exactly Graham and many need more investigation of course but we’re working with many on new and newer species as well. Although native species have survived for thousands and thousands of years. Our only concern is those wishing or not wanting a brown lawn as part of their normal. And normal as we know may in fact be the same as we’ve had after a few wet summers. Times are changing and our expectations will as well but I’m not sure it’s too much of a worry as the media make it yet. But we know it’s good to look at alternatives

[@grahammacklam4736]

@@lawnassociation Thanks for the reply and enjoy the short break over the Bank Holiday.

[@mstar011]

Great discussion mine is not looking great. I love to know your thoughts if due to global warming and temps and dry summers be more common do people need to go to kore drought tolerate grass species? Keep up the great videos the most informative on you tube!

[@lawnassociation]

Without a doubt, we need to think about how we view lawns. Recognising that we may have them for 12 months looking great and some years not is something we have to think about. Accepting a lesser colour isnt the end of the world and certainly isnt a reflection on a poor lawn either. Our country is covered in bent fescue. Fields, parks, Dartmoor, in fact everywhere so it tells us that it grows easily in our climate. They are never over-seeded. Never fertilised (apart from whats in rain, animal excrement etc) but it all points to what we learn. Soil biology is critical on all lawns. It will encourage the correct species, allow for better drainage, better water use, fertiliser use and so on. Species tell us that bent and fescue's thrive in our climate. Improve the soils and the species will follow or be easier to promote.....

[@mstar011]

@@lawnassociation couldn't agree more. Its definitely a change in thinking as its likely every summer I will be hit with hose pipe bans and I will need to move to a more drought tolerate grass type.