Live by the sward!

If you want your grass to be a uniform green colour, without brown patches, sow clover, says Bob

- Bob Flowerdew

DEPENDING on the weather, our lawns and grassed areas tend to grow little throughout August, which is often drier than the month of July. And it is during such long dry periods when sward can really suffer, going from dark, then pale green through parched to finally a browned-out bareness. Obviously watering is the cure, but it’s a profligate waste unless you are desperate to save your lawn. After all, grass usually recovers later in autumn anyway.

Interestingly, though, it may be well worth looking closely at your sward right now to see if the lighter and darker patches can reveal some garden history. An old wall, foundation or path will be the sort of thing to show its hidden position in this way. Take photographs now, so if some time in the future you are planning changes you will know what you could or might better avoid planting on those spots. However, if you are investigating further, do be careful.