EL Magazine MAY-JUN 2018

If your reliable old lawn
mower suddenly decides
to stop cutting as well as
it should, or sounds a little
strange, if it starts at all, do
you replace or repair?
Your decision should depend
the age of the machine
and the cost of repair. Also
consider if your lawn has
changed in size or shape and
your physical abilities.
Some problems are relatively
easy to fix while others may
not be worth the expense.
Fuses are one of the most
common problems in electric
machines while spark plugs
and air filters cause many
problems for petrol ones. The
manual will help with troubleshooting
but don’t attempt a
repair when you don’t know
what you are doing.
Like any machine good
maintenance with regular
checks is essential for
longevity:
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Home & Garden
Not cutting like it should
Feed your lawn
Electrics – check for frayed
cables, clean connecting pins
on batteries.
Storage – batteries degrade
and stop holding charge in
extreme temperatures.
Component checks - keep
spark plugs, ventilation slots
and blades clean. Check for
general wear and change oil
on your petrol mower every
year.
Still not sure what to do,
then for professional
advice, repairs or new
machines speak to Paul
Riley at Riley Power Tools,
Cherry Lane Garden Centre,
Towcester 01908 542226
A little TLC will keep your lawn looking lush and green
while keeping pests, disease and moss at bay.
TLC means regular mowing, reseeding damaged
areas and feeding your lawn to prevent weeds, moss
and keeps blades healthy. When mowing keep your
blades sharp and reseed with the correct seeds for
the conditions. Ryegrass works better in heavily used
areas and shade tolerant seeds are better where
there are lots of trees. If you feed it yourself follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for quantities and time of
year for application.
Moss may be a sign of a damp, poorly drained and
compacted soil. It could also be due to infertile or
acidic soil as well as shade. Scarifying machines or
rakes can remove it but it is hard work!
Garden fruit of
the edition
Rhubarb is actually a vegetable that
comes into season from April to June.
Grow it from seed or the easier option is
to plant dormant crowns in the autumn or
spring. It’s relatively easy to grow - simply
choose an open sunny site with moist, free
draining soil to plant the crown. Put it into
well-rotted manure until only the crown
is visible above the soil. You can also grow
it in pots. Discard the leaves as soon as
you’ve cut the stalks – they’re poisonous
and contain oxalic acid.
The top growth will die back in autumn,
remove the dead leaves to expose the
crown to frost preparing for next year’s
growth. Common problems include
crown rot and slugs and snails.
Stew or poach your fresh rhubarb for
about 8-10 minutes with plenty of sugar
to make it more edible. Try mixing it
with ginger or strawberries to add to the
flavour.
Watering over the summer isn’t normally necessary
as a drop of rain will restore it. During dry times, spike
hard ground with a fork to help water penetration. You
will only need to water once every 7-10 days.
If laying a new lawn, don’t use it for at least the first
week and then only use it lightly for the first season.
Water but don’t overwater.
An easier, more effective and cost-effective way of
keeping your lawn looking good is to use services like
All Green Lawns or Green Thumb. These companies
have access to more specialist products and
equipment and they do the hard work!
All Green Lawns 01908 965740
Green Thumb 01908 850548
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