If you are interested in our services, we offer a comprehensive, free lawn analysis. As part of this, one of our trained regional experts will arrange a thirty-minute meeting with you, visit to examine the lawn, and prepare a maintenance quote. They will then provide a written report regarding the conditions prevailing on your lawn.
Lawn condition analysis provides valuable information, based on which the expert will advise what services we can perform to improve the condition of the turf.
Lawn age
Lawn age is the main cause of various problems, such as thatch or compacted turf. In practice: the older the lawn, the thicker the thatch layer.
Mower type and cutting height
The mower used has a significant impact on the condition of the lawn. Incorrect equipment can cause problems such as dry grass tips and unevenness. Furthermore, the main reason why lawns often become covered in moss is mowing too low. Short cutting weakens the grass, which significantly facilitates moss growth. We will check if you are mowing your grass at the correct height.
Previous feeding
Analysing the previous fertilisation method will help understand the causes of problems such as difficult-to-remove weeds. Additionally, based on this study, we can plan the correct maintenance and fertilisation process.
Grass species
There are many grass species. By identifying the specific type, we will understand your lawn’s needs, allowing us to create the right conditions for proper development.
Weed identification and assessment of infestation level
We will identify common weeds found on lawns (including daisies, dandelions, clover, buttercups, plantain or sorrel) and select the appropriate lawn weed killer. However, some weeds require special, repeated treatment. We will recognise difficult-to-eliminate species present on your lawn (e.g. horsetail or speedwell) and indicate a way to effectively combat them. We will also assess the overall weed infestation. Do not worry – the more weeds there are, the greater the difference you will notice after our treatments!
Presence of moss
We know that moss is a cause of concern for most lawn owners. Determining its level of occurrence is an important indicator for us and helps establish the best course of maintenance.
Assessment of surface thatch presence
Surface thatch is the name for the layer of organic matter, i.e. grass clippings or decayed leaves, located just above the soil surface. It is one of the main causes of moss, which is why this layer should be reduced. Attempts to remove it by spiking or raking are largely ineffective. The best way to reduce this layer is specialist scarification.
Assessment of sub-surface thatch presence
Sub-surface thatch differs from surface thatch in that it forms a compacted mass below the soil surface. It hinders oxygen penetration into the ground and prevents nutrients from reaching the roots. As a result, the roots of grass struggling with thatch are located very close to the soil surface, making them significantly weakened. Raking has no effect on this, and spiking is ineffective in this case. The best way to reduce sub-surface thatch is soil aeration.
Soil structure and density
The type of soil on which the lawn grows is crucial for the health and growth of the grass. Every lawn is different and it would be a mistake to assume yours lies on the same soil as your neighbour’s, even if most new lawns are established on similar substrates. Therefore, we like to check what is underneath. We will take a sample to identify the soil type under your lawn. Additionally, we will determine its structure – whether it is cohesive (compacted) or loose. The more compacted the soil, the weaker the lawn – in such cases, we recommend an aeration treatment.
Recommended treatments
Based on the conditions we identify on the lawn, we may recommend aeration (immediately or at a later date, depending on the severity of the problem). If we find a thatch layer, we may recommend scarification. We believe that you shouldn’t pay for something you don’t actually need, so we will only recommend treatments that will actually improve the condition of your lawn.
Analysis of diseases and insects
Some discolouration and poor lawn condition can be caused by diseases. We need to know this to have a full picture of the situation. Some conditions result from nutrient deficiencies – such a lawn will require more than just regular fertilisation! Real havoc can also be wreaked by pests, e.g. grubs or other insects. We will check this and find a way to effectively solve these problems.
Other causes of the current lawn condition
Many other environmental factors, such as shade or the presence of large trees, affect the condition of your lawn. The analysis will allow us to identify these elements and discuss them with you.