Former gardener toKing Charles for over 20 years, Jack Stooks, has shared his top tips on how to take care of your grass and make sure it grows healthy without patchiness
Taking care of your grass can be hard work(Image: Getty Images)
Everyone knows the struggle of having a stubborn patch in the garden where grass doesn’t seem to take root, no matter what you try.
The best result can sometimes be patchy, with uneven grass shoots that do not blend with the rest of the garden. But it is a universal struggle that gardeners face everywhere, even those who tend the Royal properties.
We asked Jack Stooks, King Charles’ former gardener for over 20 years, about his routine for helping the grass grow at Highgrove House.
“As long as you’ve got decent grass to begin with, you’re already halfway there – and if the soil underneath is good, that’s an even bigger win. If your lawn’s looking a bit patchy, I’d start by scarifying and giving it a really good rake. That clears everything out and gets the surface ready. If needed, you can add a bit of topsoil to level things off, then overseed with grass seed. I’d generally avoid laying turf if you can, because it can end up looking quite patchy. Seed tends to come through alongside the existing grass, so it blends in more naturally,” he told RSVP Live on behalf of BetVictor Casino.
“Aerating the ground early in the year is another really good step. It helps get air down into the soil, and you can brush in some sand as well, which improves drainage – so when it rains, the water actually gets down to the roots where it’s needed. Raking out moss is also worth doing, and that’s another early-season job.
“At this time of year, though, when you’re mowing regularly, you’re also taking nutrients away each time you cut the grass. So it’s important to feed the lawn to replace what’s being lost. A good lawn feed makes a big difference – but timing matters,” he said.
“If it’s very dry and sunny, you don’t want to apply feed and leave it sitting there in the heat, as it can scorch the grass. If you are feeding, make sure you’re watering it in properly. I’d usually use a sprinkler and do it in the evening, so the water has time to soak in rather than just evaporate in the sun.”
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