No matter the effort you put into your flower beds and landscaping, your garden won’t look good if the grass is patchy and infested with weeds.

Which type of grass should I use?

• Kikuyu is the most popular for warm seasons followed by LM lawn, buffalo lawn and cynodont – these are best in sunny areas, more tolerant of traffic and easy to maintain.
• All Seasons Evergreen, Starke Ayres Evergreen and Lawnpro Under Cover are a few evergreen lawn mixes that are cool season grasses. This is the route to go if you are looking for a green lawn all year round in cold climates or in shady areas. However, they do not tolerate a lot of traffic and they require more frequent watering and may need constant seeding and nurturing.

How do I deal with weeds, pests and diseases?

Weeds: Most weeds are easy to get rid of using the correct selective weed killer (herbicide) for the broad-leafed plant. Avoid mowing your lawn before you apply the herbicide. Wait 24 hours after applying it before mowing or watering your lawn.

Insects: Carry out a pest control regime on a regular basis to avoid reaching the point where the insects have destroyed your lawn. Make sure you change the insecticide regularly so that the insects don’t have a chance to build up a resistance.

Lawn diseases: Some diseases may require you to apply fertilisers. It is often recommended to have a local nurseryman have a look at your lawn for the best advice. Most lawn diseases flourish in areas with poor drainage, heavy traffic and poor soil fertility. If a disease is noticed on your lawn, aerate the soil as soon as possible.

How often should I mow and at what height?

Mowing is one of the greatest ways to bring out the best in almost any lawn.
• The biggest mistake made is cutting the lawn too short. Never cut off more than 1/3 of the leaf blade in one go and always keep mower blades sharp.
• It is said to keep Kikuyu at a height of 4–6cm above ground. Finer grasses such as Cynodon, at a height of 3–4cm, LM lawn and cool season lawns at a height of 5–7cm. This results in deeper roots which are more capable of surviving dry spells.