Hi all I thought I’d give an update if anyone’s interested. Since I posted on 25/4 I’ve been putting sprinkler on for few days, for 30 mins then after almost 2 weeks I put the sprinkler on twice a weeks, but not so much recently as we’ve had quite a lot of rain and temperature is much cooler. Now today 11/5/21 the turf is lovely green and ready to be cut (I think!). Thanks all, this forum has been invaluable
Looking good! I would say cut it on the highest setting - you just want to take the tops off the first time - then gradually decrease the cutting height over several cuts (but don't get so low that you're scalping it). Make sure the mower blades are nice and sharp so it cuts cleanly without pulling at the roots.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Well done. Agree with @JennyJ about keeping the blades high for the first few cuts and don't be afraid to water it again in hot and/or dry spells. It's worth the effort to let it get its roots developed for strong growth.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Well done. Agree with @JennyJ about keeping the blades high for the first few cuts and don't be afraid to water it again in hot and/or dry spells. It's worth the effort to let it get its roots developed for strong growth.
Ditto ... you've done well there.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks all. Not sure how to get the blade high, we have a Flymo 280 electric lawn mower. I’m not sure if we have the spanner to take out the blade. I may wait a few weeks for it to get longer than cut?
Doesn't work like that ... it'll still cut it too low. Places like B&Q may have the right size spanner thingummy ... or check online, a place like eSpares or similar?
You need the spanner to remove the blade and then take out the spacers behind it before replacing the blade nd tightening it all up again. Worth getting one so that you can lower the blade later if you want to by putting back one spacer at a time.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Definitely invest in the spanner if you don't have one that'll fit. Ideally you should always start the year with high cuts and gradually lower it, and the same if it gets away, eg if you go away on holiday (remember those anyone?)
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Thanks for coming back with the update. Many don't bother.
Thank you. I wanted to say thank you as I was a bit worried ( the turf looked yellow I wasn’t confident it will recover!) I have ordered a spanner and extra spacers ( in case) from Amazon so when it arrives I’ll give the lawn a go on 1 spacer.
Posts
I thought I’d give an update if anyone’s interested. Since I posted on 25/4 I’ve been putting sprinkler on for few days, for 30 mins then after almost 2 weeks I put the sprinkler on twice a weeks, but not so much recently as we’ve had quite a lot of rain and temperature is much cooler. Now today 11/5/21 the turf is lovely green and ready to be cut (I think!). Thanks all, this forum has been invaluable
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Edited to add: Yes, they have them https://www.espares.co.uk/product/es1005402?utm_source=google+shopping&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=google+shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl5ft_ffB8AIVDAIGAB0SMQQVEAQYASABEgLx8vD_BwE
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I have ordered a spanner and extra spacers ( in case) from Amazon so when it arrives I’ll give the lawn a go on 1 spacer.