There is a real possibility of water shortage this summer which, if there is not substantial rainfall in the next 3 months, could lead to hose pipe restrictions.This is not likely to materialize until June at the earliest. London Lawn Turf therefore recommends that any planned turfing projects are undertaken within the next 3 months.
If turf is laid whilst there are hose pipe restrictions in place, watering cans, water butts and buckets can still be utilised. London Lawn supplies Rolawn Medallion turf which is very resilient and will survive through a hot dry summer.
Another way to combat a drought is to mulch your flower beds with our Landscape Bark. This product reduces evaporation, eliminates weeds and stops plants drying out as well as giving a pleasant, ornamental look to the bed. Alongside this, use Rolawn Soil Improver added to existing soil which will assist drainage and ensure plant survival.
London Lawn Turf are not overly concerned about any possible water restrictions because we know that even in the hottest of English summers our turf will perform and give you a wonderful lawn that could last a lifetime.
Now is the ideal time to service your lawnmower, or replace if necessary, to ensure it is in good working order ready for the first cut of the year.
To maintain a beautiful lawn, a mower which is well maintained and has sharp blades is much more important than the type of mower you have. The cutting action, cylinder or rotary, only makes a small difference. A dull mower will damage the leaves, allow for more disease development and make the lawn look untidy.
With the settled weather expected to stay with us for the next few weeks, now’s an ideal time to get out in to the garden and carry out any lawn maintenance or returfing work. Turf can be laid all year round, however Spring and Autumn are the ideal time to lay turf or sow lawn seed.
Laying Turf
Never laid turf before? It couldn’t be easier! Our “How to” videos will show you everything you need to know to create a beautiful lawn, including preparing the soil, laying turf, sowing lawn seed and lawn aftercare. Click here to see our YouTube Channel.
Rolawn Medallion® turf is a multi-purpose, quality turf, specially cultivated to produce a lawn with a fine leafed appearance that is hard wearing, slow growing, easy to maintain and drought tolerant.
Rolawn Minster Pro® turf is a premium fine bladed fescue turf, for a lawn with an outstanding appearance and characteristics of a putting green. It is shade and drought tolerant and suitable for low mowing heights.
Remember to lay turf promptly and water well after laying, particularly if temperatures are above average.
Autumn is an important time of year for taking care of your lawn. The effort you put in during autumn will improve the quality and health of your lawn right through into spring and beyond.
Apply an autumn feed
Now is the ideal time to apply an Autumn Lawn Food. An autumn feed will provide your lawn with the essential nutrients it needs to strengthen and prepare itself for the rigours of winter, also improving colour and disease resistance. The ideal conditions for applying a feed are when the soil is moist and the grass leaves are dry.
Mowing
Gradually decrease mowing frequency as grass growth slows and raise the height of cut as winter approaches.
Topdressing
Autumn is an ideal time to topdress your lawn to help even out any minor undulations. It will also stimulate new grass growth, improve drainage and help to control the build up of thatch.
Overseeding
Depending upon the wear and tear your lawn has received in recent months, you may want to overseed the lawn in early autumn. This will allow the seed to germinate ahead of winter and fill in any thin or worn areas, giving a thicker, denser lawn in spring. Choose grasses that suit your lawn; fine grasses for ornamental lawns (non-ryegrass seed mixtures) and wear tolerant grasses for utility lawns (with ryegrass seed mixtures).
Dealing with moss
If you have moss in your lawn you will need to scarify it out to allow the grass plants to grow. A moss killer can be applied in early autumn, when the grass is still actively growing. Once the moss turns brown/black use a spring-tine rake, pulling it vigorously through the grass sward. Alternatively you can use a mechanical scarifier. Afterwards, any areas where the sward is thin can be overseeded.
Clear the lawn of leaves and debris
Keep the lawn tidy by removing leaves and other materials that fall on the lawn, which will trap moisture and encourage disease and worm activity if left.
Rolawn’s Profresh® System is a unique patented and trademarked system which, when used in conjunction with our specially developed turf growing regime, significantly extends the shelf life of turf.
Key Benefits
Gives Rolawn turf* two to three times its normal shelf life, achieved at a cost within commercially viable constraints.
Extends the window of opportunity for stockists to sell turf in optimum condition, resulting in increased sales.
Less deterioration of the turf whilst en route to customers.
For contractors and landscapers turf can be delivered direct to site the day before laying to allow for an immediate start.
Improved distribution efficiencies, by combining deliveries together and delivering less frequently.
Fewer deliveries reduces CO2 emissions generated by delivery vehicles.
*Excluding Turfmaster roll format.
The challenge of turf perishability
It takes many years of planning, cultivating and nurturing to produce a crop of high quality turf. However the key challenge is to ensure timely delivery to the customer, given that turf is a highly perishable product and can deteriorate very rapidly once harvested.
When turf is harvested the grass plants are still actively growing,which generates significant amounts of heat and respiration gases within the pallet of turf. The soil on the back of each roll of turf acts as an insulator and prevents the heat escaping.
Air temperature, the time of year and the time between harvesting and laying can also impact on the rate of deterioration. In extreme cases the temperature within the centre of a pallet of turf can reach nearly 70oC within a matter of hours, thus killing the turf.
This process is known as sod heating and causes excess waste, deterioration in quality and even product failure, if the turf is not laid within the required time period after harvesting.
How the Profresh® System extends the shelf life of turf
How to extend the shelf life of turf in a commercially viable manner has been the holy grail of the turf industry for years. Straight forward refrigeration can be used, however this is expensive and does not effectively reduce the heat throughout the pallet.
Calling on our technical expertise gained by being at the forefront of our industry, since 2001 we have collaborated with several leading universities, both in the UK and abroad and have received significant research and development grant funding.
Using the Profresh® system, after harvesting, turf is placed in an air-tight vessel, from which air is slowly drawn out. The lower pressure has a cooling effect on the turf and also removes harmful respiration gases.
When air is let back into the pressurised vessel, it is filtered to provide optimum respiration gas conditions. This air is then drawn into the middle of each pallet of turf, due to the vacuum which has been created.
A pallet of turf is a very solid, dense mass. In the same way as heat cannot escape when it is generated, once the core of the pallet is cooled down and the gases modified, the internal conditions of the pallet will remain that way for some period of time.
Harvesting methods have also been refined to optimise the benefits provided by the Profresh® system.
Independently tested by the Sports Turf Research Institute
Independent tests carried out by the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), the UK’s leading independent authority in turfgrass research agronomy, concluded that the Rolawn Profresh® system significantly extends the shelf life of Rolawn turf, meaning that it stays greener and fresher for longer, even in warm conditions.
Intellectual Property
Rolawn protects its intellectual property. We own trademarks and a protected logo on the Profresh® system.
Elements of the machinery also have registered design rights. Furthermore, there are a number of patents pending and registered on various aspects of the system.
The Profresh® system is also fully patented in a number of international markets.
Future Developments
In the future, this new technology will allow Rolawn to package both full pallets and individual pieces of turf if required. This will give us greater traceability and quality control, and allow us to include sell-by dates, barcodes and branding on our turf.
The Profresh® system also highlights Rolawn’s commitment to innovation, and demonstrates why Rolawn are the growers of Britain’s finest turf and the recognised benchmark of quality and service.
Spring is a very important season for looking after your lawn. After the rigours of winter it needs careful attention as soon as the days start to lengthen and the grass starts to grow. Giving the lawn the care it needs now will ensure the best possible results throughout the year.
Feeding
It is essential that you feed your lawn during spring. The grass plants are growing rapidly at this time and require the correct nutrients in the correct quantities in order to grow strong and healthy, resulting in a thicker, denser, greener sward.
Apply a fertiliser, such as Rolawn GroRight Lawn Fertiliser, Weed & Moss Killer.
Broadleaf weeds
If your lawn contains broadleaf weeds, treat these using a suitable selective herbicide or an all-in-one treatment, such as Rolawn GroRight Lawn Fertiliser, Weed & Moss Killer. Alternatively, you can weed them out using a knife or mechanical weeder, but make sure you get the root of the weed out.
Aeration
Aerate consolidated areas of the lawn with a fork or with a spiking machine. This will relieve compaction, improve drainage and allow more air into the root system leading to a healthier lawn.
Overseeding
Overseeding will improve the lawn’s colour, help fill in damaged or worn areas and reduce possible weed and moss invasion. We recommend a mix of Rolawn Lawn Seed with Lawn Topdressing brushed into the surface of the lawn. The seed will germinate and fill in any sparse or thinner areas.
Rolawn provide green carpet of turf for Garden Media Guild Awards
The country’s leading garden writers, broadcasters, photographers and editors were given a ‘green carpet welcome’ recently when they attended the annual Garden Media Guild Awards Lunch, held on 4th December at premier conference venue The Brewery in the city of London.
Courtesy of sponsor Honda Lawn and Garden, a lush green carpet of Rolawn’s renowned Medallion® turf was laid from the entrance archway through the courtyard area to the reception by specialist contractor, The London Lawn Turf Company using Rolawn’s Turfmaster System in large format 13m2 rolls.
Cedric McMillan, Rolawn’s Sales & Marketing Director commented “As leaders in our respective markets we have been working with Honda in identifying joint promotional initiatives. This prestigious event represented an ideal opportunity to showcase our brands to leading industry figures”.
David Hodgkinson, Marketing Communications Manager, Honda UK Power Equipment added “Honda likes to do things differently, but only if it helps us commercially. The ‘green carpet’ helped us stand out from the crowd of sponsors at the Awards ceremony, delivering a better return on our sponsorship, and we are certain to reap the benefits in the season ahead following the number of press contacts we made at the event. Without the quality of the Rolawn product, and the efficiency of The London Lawn Turf Company this simply would not have been the case.”
The Garden Media Guild Awards celebrate the best in garden writing including books, newspapers and magazines, photography, broadcasting and new media including gardening websites and gardening blogs.
Honda has developed an advanced range of lawn and garden products that are amongst the cleanest, quietest and easiest to use.
Established over 20 years, The London Lawn Turf Company supply, prepare and lay top quality Rolawn turf throughout London and the home counties for domestic and commercial customers. http://www.londonlawnturf.co.uk
The Brewery has played host to many of London’s most iconic events. Set within our own private courtyard in the vibrancy of the city, the Brewery traces its heritage back some 250 years.
Mowing is the most important maintenance operation for any lawn; without it you would not have a lawn. It is also the operation that makes most demands in terms of time and effort, however this will vary with the seasons. In warmer months, regular frequent mowing is required but in winter little or none.
Before the first cut in spring, it is important to check the lawn and the mower. During the winter, it is likely that debris such as twigs and small branches has accumulated and other rubbish may have blown in. It will be best to take a little time clearing this prior to making the first cut. Be wary of objects that could damage or foul the mower. This could include twigs and small branches but particularly stones or pebbles. These can become a problem where a path borders the lawn and they are displaced on to the grass.
Having cleared the lawn and checked that the mower is in good order with sharp blades, it is time to start cutting the grass. The timing of the first cut tends to fall in March, however this could be early or late and should be judged by the lawn itself and not just the time of the year. If it is actively growing, it is time to start the mowing. The frequency of mowing should also be judged by rates of growth. The faster it is growing, the more frequently it will need mowing. In March, you may get away with once every two weeks but in April the required frequency is more likely to be weekly.
In judging when and how frequently to cut, we recommend you should never remove more than a third of the grass height in any one cut. It is important that you adjust your mower to keep within this guideline in the spring and it is likely that the mower will need to be set to cut at a higher height than the normal summer settings. Don’t worry about cutting off less than a third of the growth. It is unlikely that you will damage your lawn from cutting it too often, but highly likely that damage will occur from infrequent severe cutting (like many other things, a little often is best). When you lower the cutting height, do so gradually, increasing the frequency of mowing and cut the lawn at least three times before changing the height again.
Do you see rings or arcs of dark green in your turf?
Do you see rings or arcs of mushrooms?
Have you observed the rings or arcs for several years?
If you answer yes to any of the above questions, you could have fairy rings in your turf.
General Description of Fairy Rings
Fairy rings are a group of diseases in turfgrass that are caused by fungi. There are thousands of fungi that can cause fairy rings. The most common type of fairy ring can be recognised in turf, because it causes the turf to grow dark green, in a ring or arc. These measure about 75-200mm wide as an arc, and up to a metre in diameter as a ring. Fairy rings can be many years old, and will grow as long as there is turf in which to grow. There are other types of fairy rings that cause the grass to turn yellow, others that can cause a patch of stunted, reddish turf, and still others that can cause the grass to wilt and die. You may notice that fairy rings do not grow together when they meet in a lawn. This is how arcs or pieces of fairy rings are formed.
How do fairy rings get started?
Fairy rings begin when a fungus starts growing in your turf. What causes a fungus to start growing in turf is not clear to scientists, but often grass that has a thatch layer and is growing on natural soils that receive ample moisture, will develop fairy rings. Fairy rings will grow in finely manicured turfs, sports turfs, golf greens, and unmown swards. In general, they grow at a rate of about 75-150mm per year.
Can you see the fairy ring fungi?
Yes, sometimes if you take a pocket knife and cut across the fairy ring, you will see white threads growing in the thatch. The white threads are mycelium of the fairy ring fungi.
What causes the turf in a fairy ring to grow faster and look dark green?
Fairy ring fungi are beneficial fungi that attack and breakdown dead and decaying plant material. Thatch is a mat of dead plant material, and the fairy ring fungi can live and grow in it. As they do, they cause the dead plant material to decay. The decaying material is used by many different microorganisms that live in the soil. When this happens, nitrogen and other nutrients important for turf growth are made available to the plant. Hence, the plant is able to use these nutrients to grow taller and darker.
Do fairy ring fungi attack turf?
Generally not, and if they do, they do not kill the grass. However, after the fairy ring fungi have colonised the thatch layer, and it starts to dry out, a problem arises for the turf . Turf and thatch that have fairy ring fungi colonising them resist being watered, much like a sponge after it has dried out. Thus, when turf colonised by a fairy ring dries out, it resists being watered. Therefore, this grass often does not get enough water. As a result, this grass suffers from drought, even though the grass outside and inside of the fairy ring grows well. If the drought lasts too long, this grass will be stunted, wilt, and could then die.
What can you do about fairy rings?
There are several things that you can do to avoid or reduce the appearance of fairy rings:
(Before you have a fairy ring)
Purchase good quality turf.
Prepare your soil properly before installing turf or planting grass seed.
(When you have a fairy ring in your turf)
Fertilise your grass to reduce the appearance of the fairy ring.
Aerate your grass to allow water to reach the grass roots in the fairy ring.
Once or twice a year, spread and rake 6mm of good soil into your turf. See Rolawn Blended Loam™.
Can you use a fungicide to eliminate fairy rings?
Yes, there are fungicides approved for use to control fairy rings, but their effectiveness may be inconsistent. If you are considering the use of fungicides to treat fairy rings, consult a turf expert.
We also recommend that you obtain advice about chemical and non-chemical grass treatment products directly from the manufacturers.
Can you eliminate fairy rings without fungicides or soil sterilisation?
Yes, but it is difficult. You would need to dig out and replace, to a depth of about 300mm, all of the soil within the fairy ring and about 300mm outside of the ring. This is not recommended.
Remember: Fairy rings are caused by fungi that live in most soils, and they decompose dead plant material. Generally, they do not attack living turf, and the best method to control them is through masking their appearance with fertiliser.
There is a real possibility of water shortage this summer which, if there is not substantial rainfall in the next 3 months, could lead to hose pipe restrictions.This is not likely to materialize until June at the earliest. London Lawn Turf therefore recommends that any planned turfing projects are undertaken within the next 3 months.
