Which garden tools do you use to keep your grass healthy?

A beautiful and healthy turf does not arise by itself. In addition to love and patience, using the right garden tools is also essential. We are happy to explain the right garden tools step by step, so that you are assured of a healthy turf. Year after year!

1. Scarifying

Over time, moss can form on your turf. This is due to residual grass clippings that form a felt layer between the grass. As a result, sunlight does not reach the grass properly and nutrients are absorbed less well. This gives moss a chance to develop. The removal of this felt layer is easy to prevent with a scarifier .

Image: a Stihl scarifier

A scarifier removes the moss and weaker pieces of grass. This gives the turf the space to strengthen and grow dense again.

Image: How a scarifier works - removes the moss from the grass.

It is recommended to scarify the lawn at least once a year. Make sure that you have mowed the grass a number of times prior to the first scarification. The best time to scarify grass is April or October. Read more about scarifying here.

2. Aerate

After scarifying it is important to give the roots of the turf air. This absorbs nutrients from the soil. Holes are poked in the turf by means of a lawn aerator. Nutrients such as lawn manure are given free rein to get to the roots of the lawn.

Image: The pins of a lawn aerator

Aerating the lawn is best done after scarifying. This gives the turf the full space to recover.

Tip: You can also use a 4-prong fertilizer fork to aerate the turf. Stick it into the ground halfway up the tines and wiggle it gently so as not to damage the grass and roots. Do this every six to eight inches.

3. Fertilize

Over time, the nutrients from the soil under the turf can diminish. Fertilization is a logical step to bring this up to standard. This can of course be done with artificial fertilizer, but also with organic fertilizer.

It is important to apply the fertilizer evenly. Of course you can do this by hand. However, a fertilizer spreader offers more guarantees for the even application of the fertilizer.

Image: Tielbürger TM230 fertilizer spreader

For best results and sufficient nutrients, fertilizing twice a year is sufficient. The best times are spring and summer.

It is also advisable to provide the lawn with lime after the last mowing (usually in October). This maintains the acidity of the soil and gives moss less chance to develop.

Spreading lime is also excellent with a manure spreader.

Tip: After fertilizing, make sure to sprinkle the lawn with water, so that the fertilizers can sink and be absorbed into the substrate.

4. Mow

You get a nice and tight lawn by mowing it regularly. Do you choose one hand mower on battery , or one that is on petrol or electricity is powered? You can also opt for a ride-on mower or a robot mower.

Images: Stihl hand mower and Stihl robot mower

This choice depends entirely on your situation. For a large lawn is a guess riding mower recommended. For a smaller lawn, a walk-behind mower outcome. Are you going for convenience? Sit back and watch one robot mower keep your lawn in top condition!

Mulch or collect?

Do you want to leave the grass or collect it after every mowing?

Do you have a mulching mower ? Then make sure that the grass is mowed regularly. After all, the blades of grass must be small to pass up. As a result, the cut grass digests better and is absorbed as a natural nutrient for the lawn.

Both a ride-on mower and a hand mower, but also a robot mower can mulch. These mowers are (optionally) equipped with mulching blades. These blades cut the grass not once, but twice. This makes the grass small and allows it to lie down.

Image: Stihl Mulching Mower

Note : with mulching, the chance of moss formation is greater due to compaction of the subsoil due to undecomposed grass residues. Therefore, make sure you scarify your lawn at least once a year.

Do you want to collect the grass during or after your mowing? Then use a lawnmower with a collection container. This is possible with both push mowers and ride-on mowers with grass collection . Do you prefer a ride-on mower with side discharge? Then after mowing you should collect the grass with a grass or leaf rake.

Images : Stihl push mower with grass collection and John Deere ride-on mower with side discharge

Tip : for good advice about the right mower, contact us on 085 – 08 01 902 or visit one of our branches .

5. Maintain

Maintaining a lawn goes beyond just mowing and fertilizing. Over time, the ends of the lawn will sprout and there will be grass in places that are less accessible with your lawnmower. It can also prevent weeds from growing in your beautiful turf.

It is therefore important that your turf is maintained and maintained throughout the mowing season. This way you can enjoy a beautiful and healthy lawn all year round.

Flared edges & standing grass

The edges of your lawn and standing grass around beds, posts or flower boxes are less easy to reach and mow with your lawnmower. For the finishing touch of your turf, we recommend a edger, grass trimmer or brushcutter to use.

You will be amazed that this immediately makes your lawn look even better.

Image: Stihl cordless grass trimmer

Weeds

Do weeds get a chance to develop? Then make sure that the grass is not mowed too short. Short-mown grass lets in a lot of light. This increases the risk of weeds. A grass length of 5 to 6 centimeters is already sufficient to limit the incidence of light and to limit the growth of weeds.

Collect leaves and green waste

Is your lawn littered with leaves after windy weather or in autumn? Leaving leaves and branches lying around can eventually lead to moss formation, because the lawn is closed off from light.

Then use a leaf rake, blower or leaf sucker to collect and then dispose of it.

Image: Stihl leaf blower

Keep maintaining your lawn, even out of season. This way you can enjoy a beautiful turf, year after year!

Can we help you?

You have read our step-by-step advice on which machines you need for a healthy turf. You will find all options in our webshop. With the wide range we guarantee you the right machines for a beautiful lawn.

As an official dealer of, among others Stihl and John Deere we therefore offer you real quality brands that have already earned their spurs. For questions or more information, please contact us on 085 – 08 01 902 or send an email to info@kraakmantuinmachines.com .