Hints On Tending The Lawn - Toro Recycler 21020 Operator's Manual

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Hints on tending the lawn

7.1 Spring
7.2 Summer
7.3 Autumn
7.4 Winter
7.1 Spring
Cleaning: The first cut and the cleaning should be done two or
three weeks before the normal growth starts. To mow, the cutting
height should be adjusted in such way that approx. 1.5 cm of the
resting grass will be cut off. Thus an early greening of the lawn will
be effected. In using the grass-collecting sack available as
accessory, the winter litter can be removed, first, however, metal
objects, stones, broken glass etc. which can damage the grass-
collecting sack, must be gathered.
Mellowing: The soil should be treated with a mechanical mello-
wing device. Thus air, water and fertilizer may enter more easily
and a deep rooting is stimulated.
Fertilization: For the fertilization of the lawn, a special lawn
fertilizers is to be spread on the latter in early spring. This
fertilization is to be repeated according to the demands you make
on your lawn. Who wants to have a lush-green, dense lawn till into
the winter, spreads the last dose in late summer. In any case it is
advisable to have the fertilizer get soaked thoroughly shortly after
the spreading - by rain or sprinkling. Hereby it is to be made sure
that the fertilizer will not paste up (e. g. on uneven ground or when
watering with a hose with a too strong jet of water). Moreover, you
should not fertilize on new-mown grass, but some days before or
after mowing. Each fertilization leads to a denser turf, however,
the growth will be hastened at the same time.
Therefore you should pay special attention to mowing in good
time, otherwise the precious flagellate grass will be suppressed. It
is a big mistake to cut high grass real short. Especially in case of
dryness, your lawn will get brown spots, if you cut the grass too
short, which are often falsely referred to as damages caused by
fertilization.
Watering: Sufficient watering is important, if you want to get a
healthy lawn. Deep watering, when the grass needs it the most
(shortly before withering), stimulates a deep rooting. Frequent and
shallow watering effects a concentration of the roots near the
surface and stimulates the weed growth.
Mowing: Frequent mowing is imperative for keeping your lawn
healthy. It would be best to mow with such frequency that each
time not more that 1/3 of the grass leaf is being cut. Thin or newly-
sown lawns should be cut to 3.5 cm. This is to be repeated for
about four or five weeks, so that the lawn will grow and become
more dense.
© by The Toro Company
Weed, insect and disease control: Most specialized dealers sell
special chemicals for the control of the most different weeds,
insects and diseases. The manufacturers' instructions as to the
frequency of application, environmental effects and use of the
specified means are to be observed in any case.
Sowing: Although the autumn is the most favourable season for
this work, you can sow lawn in the course of the usual spring
treatment.
7.2 Summer
Mowing: During the hot and dry summer months the lawn should
not be cut too short, because this would let the grass get too dry
and withered. When mowing with the grass-collecting device,
weeds, seeds of weed and any other undesired plants can be
removed with it.
Mellowing: According to the condition of the soil, a mellowing is
due from time to time, especially if it is a dry summer.
Watering: In the hot summer months, withered grass is an
indication for water demand. Deep watering is advisable during
these months. Besides the common way of sprinkling by means of
garden hoses, sprinkling systems to be installed into the soil are
available, which are also manufactured by TORO. These
sprinkling systems work automatically, however, they are also
available for manual operation.
7.3 Autumn
Mowing: In autumn you should mow according to the same rules
as have been said for the summer months. In autumn you should
mow as long as the grass growth demands it. When using the
grass-collecting device, the leaves will gather in the sack automa-
tically and slightly cut up, and thus appropriate for composting.
Hints on cutting the leaves: You can also use the recycler for
cutting the fallen leaves or other garden waste. If you want to store
the leaves in plastic sacks, however, the number sacks to be filled
will be smaller, since the leaves have been cut up before and thus
they are reduced in volume. When working with the grass
collecting device, part of the cut material will still get onto the lawn,
where it can serve as fertilizer giving the soil important and
precious nutrients until the next spring.
• Ensure yourself before mowing that the leaves are dry.
• Before you stop to recycle ensure yourself that approx. 50 % of
the lawn is still to be seen on the mown area.
• In order to collect all the leaves and cut them up very finely, it is
useful to walk slower and thus mix all the particles into the lawn.
• In case of lots of oak leaves, it is recommended to spread some
lime onto the lawn in spring, in order to absorb the folic acid.
Watering: Since the soil should be damp at the beginning of the
winter months, a regular watering in autumn is as important as in
the summer months.
Sowing: This is the most suitable season for laying a lawn and for
the resowing of existing lawn of thin growth.
7.4 Winter
Preparing the lawn for the winter: Who wants to have a
beautiful, lush-green and hard-wearing lawn, should cover it every
two to three years with compost or humous soil before the break of
winter. After spreading the fine-crumbled humous soil, it should be
raked into the sod thoroughly.
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