RANGE REVIEW: PEST CONTROL
T healthier,
o kick-start their new ‘Grassroots’ campaign which aims to guide homeowners in achieving a
greener lawn all year
round, home improvement specialist Black+Decker has revealed why mowing in winter should be avoided at all costs.
LEAVE THE LAWN FOR NOW
Brits are eager to get their gardens in shape this New Year as searches for ‘mowing lawn in winter’ surge by 100% in a week. However, experts are urging homeowners to wait a few more weeks as mowing now will result in long term damage.
Why avoid mowing the grass in winter? With the ‘new year, new start’ mentality circulating it’s no surprise homeowners want to get their homes and gardens in check but there are a few reasons why mowing the lawn now could result in more work further down the line. Nick Ee, product and training manager at Black+Decker comments: “Not only is cutting damp or wet winter grass a bad idea for your lawn but also for your lawnmower. “Wet grass tends to tear rather than being cleanly cut, leaving jagged edges that leaves the lawn more susceptible to pests and diseases, this can be detrimental to grass growth. Not only that but the clippings often clump together, suffocating the grass beneath and creating an uneven finish. “This is also damaging for the lawnmower as it dulls the blades faster and strains the motor due to added weight. I would recommend waiting until you have dry grass to work with as this will help maintain a healthy garden and protect gardening equipment.”
What lawncare can be done in winter?
Although mowing is off the cards in HELPING YOUR CUSTOMERS TO LIVE PEST FREE THANKS TO STV
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January, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. There are some jobs to be done that will result in greener and healthier lawns come springtime.
Aerate lawns for healthier grass. Nick says: “In the winter months lawns can become waterlogged if there’s inadequate drainage therefore it’s important to aerate which will help with drainage and loosening compact ground. This is an essential winter gardening task and can be done in less than 10 minutes. Simply push a gardening fork into the surface of the lawn as far down as it will go and repeat until you’ve done the whole garden.” Prepare lawnmower for use in spring. While lawnmowers are temporarily neglected throughout winter, it’s important that before using for the first time in 2025, you make the necessary maintenance checks to ensure quality performance. Nick adds: “A sharp lawnmower blade is key to a healthy, well- manicured lawn and having dull blades can tear grass leading to ragged edges that can often open your lawn up to disease and pests. I would recommend replacing blades every season or after 25 hours of use. Tell-tale signs that indicate your lawnmower blades need to be replaced include dullness, nicks or uneven cutting.”
For more lawn and garden care advice from the experts at Black + Decker to pass on to your customers, please visit www.
blackanddecker.co.uk/winter- lawn-care-blog
60% gross margin.
Contact STV International for more information by emailing
info@stvuk.co.uk or call 01953 881580.
JANUARY 2025 DIY WEEK 17
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