An expert is warning gardeners over one common mistake that nearly half of Brits are making.
The sunny weather means more time outside, but a new survey shows that 82 per cent of people claim to "wing it" when completing garden jobs. According to the gardening specialists at Black & Decker, one mistake that gets made all to often happens while mowing the lawn.
According to Black & Decker marketing manager Joe Handley, 44 per cent of Brits are cutting the grass too short. While this can save gardening time, he warned that your lawn will pay a heavy price in the long run as it starves it of important nutrients.
Joe said: “Shorter grass can look more uniform but when the blades are cut too short it can leave plants malnourished and open to diseases. Longer blades of grass help shade the soil underneath which means it takes a lot longer for moisture to evaporate.
"You should aim to cut the grass regularly and as a general rule try to keep blade length above 2.5cm to promote healthy growth.”
Out of those surveyed, 63 percent said they are eager to learn more about the correct ways to garden. As a result, Joe has also shared three other common gardening and DIY mistakes and how to avoid them this summer.
1. Using a pressure washer to remove weeds
Pesky weeds are every gardener's nightmare and one quick fix to get rid of them is to pressure wash them away, but this can actually damage your patio.
If weeds are growing in the slab joints, it means the grout is damaged and pressure washing will make it worse. Instead, Joe recommends opting for a weed killer.
He explained: “I would recommend first choosing a suitable weed killer product designed for use on patios or hard surfaces and once the weeds have died off, use the light setting of a pressure to remove any debris from in between the patio slabs.
"Make sure not to damage the slabs further by using too much pressure or an incorrect nozzle for the job.”
2. Leaving grass cuttings and debris on the lawn
Leaving grass clippings on the lawn and can have both positive and negative effects, but if left for too long, grass clippings can contribute to thatch build up.
Thatch is a layer of dead grass and organic material that accumulates between the soil which can prevent water, air and important nutrients from reaching the soil, potentially destroying the grass. To avoid this, Joe recommends cutting the grass when it's not too long for shorter clippings.
He said: “To avoid thatch build up you must mow the lawn regularly particularly when the grass isn’t super long as this produces shorter clippings that decompose much quicker. For home gardens it’s better to have a mower that will catch and collect the trimmings, so as not to leave them behind.
"Don’t leave large clumps of grass cut offs on the lawn either, these should be raked or spread out evenly.
3. Not sanding wood before painting it
Over the winter months, wooden garden furniture and fences take a bashing from all sorts of elements leaving it faded, dull and in need of a lick of paint.
But survey findings show that a substantial 74 per cent of Brits don’t sand wood before painting it or are unaware they need to. According to Joe, skipping this step will result in peeling paint, making previous painting efforts futile.
Explaining how to sand properly, Joe said: "Firstly, start off by removing any existing finish, if the wood has any previous paint or varnish it’s important to remove it before painting. Then sand the surface using an orbital sander; this helps to create a smooth and even surface for paint.
"Before painting make sure to sweep away any sanding dust using a tack cloth or a lint free cloth as this will mix with the paint. Apply a primer and get to painting.”
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