Keep it green with Johnsons Lawn Seed

How to stop grass turning brown when the summer sun starts to shine

The oldest lawn seed brand in the UK, Johnsons Lawn Seed, has been keeping Britain green for more than 200 years. Since the company’s inception in 1820, Johnsons has helped cultivate garden lawns the length and breadth of the country, developing a long and presitgious record of product innovation and grass breeding.with every shoot.

As we head into spring and the dulcet tones of lawnmowers begin to be heard in every neighbourhood and allotment, the experts at Johnsons show land owners and gardeners how to keep grassy areas in tip top condition, whatever the weather.

The memory of winter rains and snow might not have fully receded, but the extremes of British weather run the full spectrum from floods and frosts to blazing sun and droughts. As the climate in the UK, wider Europe and rest of world becomes more unpredictable and unstable, droughts in usually temperate regions like Britain become increasingly likely.

Northern Europe can be prone to both spring and summer droughts which can have a significant impact on the condition and appearance of lawns. In the typical spring drought only the top surface is affected whilst moisture levels further down, around plant roots, remain fine. A summer drought is generally more severe and results in soil drying out further down where it can affect grass and other plant roots.

Some varieties of grass are able to tolerate both sorts of drought, whilst others are better equipped to deal with either light spring or deeper summer water shortages.

Guy Jenkins, Consumer Manager for Johnsons Lawn Seed, says: “Climate change has already taken its toll on what should be green grassy areas of the country, including parklands, playing fields, agricultural regions and private lawns. The need for robust, drought-tolerant crops and turf grasses has never been greater.

“Johnsons Lawn Seed spends millions of pounds on the development of new and improved varieties of grass, so we can identify the most suitable for different areas, depending on where they are located and how they will be used. Our research scientists have selected grasses with the fastest root growth, the deepest roots and highest root mass which are the most robus and best able to tolerate drought.”

All this investment is not just for the sake of appearances, important though this is to house and garden-proud consumers. Drought-tolerant grasses not only have a far superior appearance during dry spells, they also reduce the need for eco unfriendly water sprinklers, hose pipes and the attendant household bills. Stronger, healthier lawns are also less prone to weed invasion and require less fertiliser. Johnsons Lawn Seed’s Quick Lawn and Tuffgrass.

mixes, based on hard-wearing ryegrass and an element of fescue, are perfectly suited to the requirements of most garden lawns in the UK.

Tuffer than the rest

As the name suggests, Tuffgrass, is the toughest, most drought-resistant variety available, with incredibly strong roots which penetrate deeply into the ground and are able to reach underground water supplies long after more fragile grass varieties have shrivelled up and died.

The strength of Tuffgrass extends beyond drought resistance. Tuffgrass with Dog Patch Resistance is a UK first, containing naturally tolerant grass species that won’t turn yellow when dogs pee on the lawn. This rigorously tested, scientifically proven mix is tough enough to stand up to the wear and tear of family use and is suitable for new lawns, overseeding, fixing patches and creating play areas. Alongside its excellent resistance to drought conditions, Tuffgrass also stands up well to low temperatures and snow.

Launched in 2020, Quick Lawn with Accelerator-treated seed, is another good option for gardeners looking to sow or repair lawns. The specially coated seeds germinate swiftly and require just a third of the amount of water that’s usually needed for lawn establishment. This results in 38% more grass within the first seven days, compared to non-coated seed.

Super Smart Lawn Feed can be used to feed or revitalise lawns between February and September, as long as there are no frosts or drought conditions. This 100% organic feed contains a mix of beneficial bacteria that feed lawns, micronutrients to enhance a lawn’s lush green appearance, and mycorrhizae that can increase the root system of grass by up to 150%.

Find out more

To find out more about Johnsons Lawn Seed products please visit http://www.johnsonslawnseed.com/product-range.aspx

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Editors notes

Established in 1820 Johnsons Lawn Seed is the oldest lawn seed brand in the UK with a long and prestigious record of product innovation and grass breeding.