HOW TO PROTECT YOUR GARDEN AHEAD OF THE JUBILEE PARTY

With one in five Brits expected to attend a Jubilee Garden party this weekend, hosts are prepping their lawns ahead of the celebrations.

From bouncy castles to BBQs, dancing and gazebos, the nation’s grass is set to see a lot of activity in June. A recent survey has found 68% want to be proud of their gardens ahead of the big party, whilst 75% are concerned their lawn will be ruined after the celebration.

Further data has also revealed Google Searches have soared by over 60% in May alone for “How to get my garden party ready?” and “How to look after my garden?,” which has prompted lawn care specialists Greensleeves to share eight essential tips to follow for peace of mind during the festivities.

To present healthy, resilient grass to party guests and be equipped to make a speedy recovery from any lawn damages afterwards, experts have suggested the following tips.

Pre-Party:

1. Weeds – Take time out to remove any weeds and spray the grass with lawn-safe weedkiller. Removing pesky weeds can instantly smarten a lawn up, plus taking out any unwanted plants will stop the grass having to compete for light, water and nutrients, making it look as healthy as possible during the party and putting it in better stead to grow back afterwards.
2. Mow – Mow the lawn around three-five days before the party, then the day before for the ultimate finish. Early this week give the grass a trim, so any grass clippings have the chance to settle so they won’t spoil any guest’s clothing. Then by cutting it the day before, it will all be an even length and look in great condition for the main event.
3. Easy Clean-Up – Set up bins around the garden to avoid any litter. Old food from the barbecue such as bones and oil can affect and damage the grass. Plus, any heavy or large items like plates and cups could crush and cover grass from the sun, which will decrease its chances of growing back quickly afterwards.
4. Keep It Dry – Although rain is unavoidable, refrain from watering your lawn before the party as footfall could turn it into a mud bath. Keep the grass as dry as possible to prevent furniture from sinking into it, and to stop the garden from being destroyed.

Post-Party:

1. Aerate – Once you have removed any gazebos and garden furniture, take a garden fork and create a set of holes every few feet. This will allow any areas that have been compacted through footprints or weight, to take in air, water and nutrients.
2. Re-seed – Depending on the condition of the lawn, pick a seed that most suits its state. If the grass has been completely killed, you will need to buy lawn feed or seeds to start from scratch. If it’s discoloured, you will need to condition the lawn to bring back the rich, green, healthy appearance. Follow the instructions of the product and apply to the holes made with the fork.
3. Water – Keep it hydrated throughout the next few weeks. As we get further into the summer, the hotter temperatures will dry the grass out, which could keep the colour brown. Water the new seed consistently, once-twice per day until new grass sprouts grow through.
4. Avoid Using – If possible, avoid using the grass. Any new grass seedlings can be easily damaged, so it’s important to let them breathe until they are standing at a strong two-three inches tall.

Cheryl Harper, Business Manager for Greensleeves adds “Next weekend will be a time to celebrate as a nation, congratulating the Queen on her incredible services over the last 70 years. We expect so many of us to be enjoying a garden or street party and hope those hosting will try our tips both pre and post party, so they can be safe in the knowledge that their lawns and gardens will create the perfect setting for the events, and there won’t be a daunting recovery period!”