Hayter Mowers Harrier 48 491G - Manual (Page 15)

15
January
There is very little work to do this month apart from
brushing away leaves. Keep off the grass if frozen or
waterlogged.
February
Rake the grass thoroughly. Spike the lawn to aerate and
stimulate soil organisms and root growth and apply lawn
sand if necessary.
March
The yearly lawn work programme really starts this
month. As soon as the ground conditions are suitable,
the first cut can be made. The first cut should merely
“top” the grass as close cutting at this stage could result
in severe yellowing or browning. Two cuts are generally
sufficient this month.
April
Mow often enough to stop grass growing away. Dig out
patches of coarse grass or resistant weed. Re-seed bare
patches.
May
Keep mowing increasing the frequency as required.
Treat with selective weed killers or combined weed/feed
preparations if you did not feed the lawn in April.
June
Summer mowing should now be under way. It should be
necessary to mow the lawn twice a week. Raking before
mowing is important this month as the combined action
keeps runners of clover under control. Water the grass if
necessary, and remember to soak thoroughly.
July
Treat the grass with the second application of fertiliser
or weed killer/fertiliser. Water when necessary and rake
occasionally. As a general rule the grass clippings should
be removed each time you mow. If weather conditions
are dry and hot and the grass is weed free, leave the
clippings on the lawn to help maintain ground moisture.
August
Keep mowing regularly and watering as necessary. Fill
any cracks caused by drought with a mixture of sharp
sand and soil. In dry weather conditions leave the grass
longer to help retain ground moisture.
September
Raise the height of cut to allow the grass to thicken and
protect the roots from the winter frost and snow.
October
Rake out the thatch from the turf and spike the lawn to
assist in drainage. Brush in peat and sharp sand.
November
Use a stiff broom to disperse worm casts before mowing.
Keep turf free from leaves.
December
Apart from brushing away leaves, December is a slack
end of a busy year. Keep off the lawn if it is very wet or
frozen.
Lawn Stripes
The way to achieve a neat striped effect is for the lawn
being cut in parallel stripes, alternate stripes being mown
in opposite directions. A much more important routine is
to cut at right angles to the line of the previous mowing.
If the work has been carried in a north-south line, then
the next cutting should be in an east-west direction. The
cross-cutting keeps down the coarse weed grasses.
To prevent grass damage do not remove more than
one third of the grass height in one cut.
LAWN CARE CALENDAR
To be used as a guide only