For many first-time homeowners, having their own garden to plan and landscape can be as exciting as the house itself, especially for those who have never had a garden before. For those looking forward to the first summer in their new homes, it can come as somewhat of a disappointment if the garden is not as they anticipated; the lawn can be patchy, drainage may seem problematic, and the soil might appear dried out and compacted.
A new lawn requires care, attention, and patience, and should not be heavily used until the grass has matured. Grass may take several months to fully establish, and the soil (and drainage) can take up to two years to completely settle.
Please note that Glenveagh does not carry out garden levelling. A one-foot fall is permitted on each side in accordance with specifications. In many of our developments, gardens have been laid with an intentional slope, often to aid in drainage or to align with elevation differences in neighbouring properties.
Choosing the right mower
Selecting the right mower for your lawn type makes a big difference to the result:
- Rotary: best for longer grass or sloped lawns.
- Hover: ideal for small gardens and achieving a neat finish.
- Cylinder: perfect for a well-maintained, level lawn. Can include a roller to create classic stripes.
Cutting
- It’s best not to cut your grass too low at the start. Set the blades of your mower to the highest level initially and gradually lower it as the sward thickens.
- Following the initial cut of the season, don’t leave the cut grass sitting on your lawn as it can be toxic for the remaining grass.
- Cut the grass in a different direction each time.
- Regular cutting during spring and summer can help to encourage your lawn to put down stronger roots and to grow denser and healthier.
- Refer to the following chart as a cutting schedule based on the month you received your keys:
| Month Received | Season | First Cut | Second Cut | Third Cut |
| Jan–Feb | Winter | Late Feb/early Mar (weather dependent) | Two weeks after first cut | Fortnightly until improvement |
| Mar | Spring | When dry & warm | ||
| Apr–May | Spring | When dry & warm | ||
| Jun | Summer | When dry & warm; raise height in high temps | Weekly to encourage growth | Increased height if temperatures are high |
| Jul–Aug | Summer | When dry & warm | Weekly to encourage growth | |
| Sep | Autumn | When dry & warm | ||
| Oct | Autumn | Final cut of year (weather dependent) | ||
| Nov | Autumn | |||
| Dec | Winter | Late Feb/early Mar (weather dependent) | Two weeks after first cut | Fortnightly until improvement |
Fertilising
- Fertilising can encourage a patchy lawn to fill in and grow healthier.
- There are several preparatory fertilisers on the market for spring and autumn. Most are weed-killer and feed combinations; alternatives such as Soil Renew are also available, which is a combination of organic plant matter microorganisms, which creates humus in the soil and encourages lawn development. This improves soil structure and combats any compaction from heavy use. It is organic and poses no risk to humans or animals.
- You can refer to this chart as a general guide for when to fertilise your lawn:
| Month Keys Received | When to Fertilise | When to Plant Trees |
| January – February | Spring and Autumn feed | November – March |
| March – August | Autumn feed; spring feed the following year | — |
| September – December | Spring feed the following year | — |
Grass seed type
The grass seed used in most Glenveagh gardens is a mix of ryegrass and fescues. This is a fairly standard lawn mix that is widely available from most suppliers. Most brands use the same or similar mixes so the grass type will be the same, and won't look odd or stand out if sowed on top of your existing lawn.
Worn patches
- High-traffic areas on lawns will inevitably compact and develop bare patches. If this occurs, the soil will need to be loosened and reseeded at the beginning and end of year.
- To loosen the soil, push the prongs of a garden fork about 10-20cm into the soil, easing compaction and allowing the soil to breathe.
Improving drainage
- With the Irish weather being what it is, a lawn with drainage issues can be readily apparent. As mentioned above, drainage will naturally improve over time as your garden settles but there are some things you can do to help in the meantime:
- Aerating or spiking the lawn by creating small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to reach grass roots to break down compacted soil
- Adding organic material such as compost is a great soil additive to improve drainage as it absorbs moisture.
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