The Turf Doctor - Blog
Welcome to our blog! Here, you’ll find our latest articles, buyer’s guides, and product reviews across a variety of gardening and lawn care topics.
Most recent articles
When Does My Lawn Need Water?
Dear The Turf Doctor, Living in the UK, I don’t know how to follow generic advice about watering my lawn. Is there ever a
What Happens if I Mow my Lawn too Short?
Hi Turf Doctor team, I have a question about lawn mowing cut height. I usually mow my lawn once or twice a week in
Best Hedge Cutters in the UK
A beautiful garden doesn’t stop at a neatly mown lawn. If you want your garden to look perfect right up to the perimeter, you need
Best Soil Test Kits for UK Gardens
If you want to learn more about your garden soil, the best place to start is with a soil test kit. I’ve tried out
How to Start a Battery-Powered Lawn Mower
Got a new battery-powered mower and wondering how to start it up? In this quick article, we’re outlining the 5 steps to start a
Best Strimmers For UK Lawns July 2024
For most of us, a perfectly even, neatly mown lawn can only be achieved by following up with a strim around the edges. We
How, When, & Why You Should Test Your Lawn Soil
If you’ve ventured into any sort of lawncare-related forum, you’ve probably come across discussions about soil testing. But why are people testing their lawn soil,
Which Grass Seed is Right for Me?
There are a LOT of different grass varieties out there, and we often get questions from our readers wanting to know which types of grass
How to Renovate a Lawn in 8 Steps (Starting from Scratch)
If you’ve recently taken a good look at your lawn and thought, “This needs MAJOR work”, this is the article for you. We get
5 Essential Tools for the Perfect Lawn
I’ve built up years of lawn care knowledge and wisdom over the years, and my aim has always been to put it to good use
How To Sharpen A Manual Mower’s Blades
When it comes to maintaining a lush, green lawn in the UK, manual mowers are the eco-conscious gardener’s tool of choice. These affordable machines not
When Shouldn’t You Mulch Your Lawn? 7 Situations To Avoid Mulching
If you’ve got a mulching mower, you probably try to use the mulching function as often as possible. Given that mulching your grass clippings eliminates
Best Compost to Use in Your Garden: July 2024 UK
Give your plants some love this year with our list of the best compost to use in your garden, tried and tested in the UK
Will A Hover Mower Cut Long Grass?
Wondering whether you can use a hover lawn mower to cut a longer section of your lawn? Or considering buying a new lawn mower and
What’s The Average Cordless Lawn Mower Battery Charging Time?
So, you’ve just bought a new cordless lawn mower and you can’t wait to put it to good use. But for how long will you
A Beginner’s Guide To Filling A Lawn Mower Petrol Tank
Whether it’s been a few years since you’ve used a petrol mower or this is your first time using this type of mower, you might
Best Types of Grass For UK Lawns
Looking to overseed your lawn or establish a brand new lawn in the UK? You’re probably wondering which grass types are best for this situation.
10 Easy Ways To Enjoy A Thicker, Greener Lawn
Noticed bare areas or yellowing patches on your lawn? If you’re desperate to achieve a beautiful green lawn to rival those on fancy estates
Best Spring Lawn Feed UK July 2024
Spring is fast approaching and it’s time to give your lawn some love with a spring lawn feed. We’ve tested all the spring lawn feeds
How To Stop Cats Spraying On Your Lawn: My Top 6 Recommended Methods
No matter how much you might love cats, you probably don’t love their wee. Unfortunately, cats don’t have the same rules as humans when
Why Is My Grass Not Growing? 11 Possible Causes & How To Resolve
When it’s healthy and the growing conditions are optimal, you can pretty much leave grass to get on with growing – no interventions needed.
16 Most Common Types Of Weeds In UK Gardens (And How To Get Rid Of Them)
How many weeds can you name? Three? Five? Ten? There are tens more – and many of them may be growing in your garden right
Can An Electric Mower Overheat?
Wondering whether it’s possible for your electric mower to overheat? I’ve used my knowledge of electrical lawn equipment and my experience in the industry
Best Plant Fertilisers In The UK July 2024
We’re spoilt for choice with plant fertilisers in the UK. Even your small local gardening centre probably offers at least a handful of options, which
Best Lawn Mowers For Cutting Long Grass July 2024
Looking for a mower that can handle long grass without getting clogged or burning out? Here, we’ve shared our reviews of the best lawn mowers
Rotary Vs Cylinder Mower: Which Is Right For Your Lawn?
You might have noticed that some hover mowers are sold without grass boxes, which poses the question: can hover mowers mulch grass? We’ve answered
Pros And Cons Of Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers
Self-propelled lawn mowers take away the effort of mowing a large lawn, but how do you know if a self-propelled lawn mower is worth it
How To Set Up A Robot Lawn Mower: Step By Step (With Video Examples)
If you’ve just bought a robotic lawn mower, chances are, it’s your first. Robot mowers have only entered the scene in recent years, so you’re
How Long Do Manual Lawn Mowers Last?
Manual mowers are a tempting purchase if your budget is tight or you just don’t want to splash out hundreds of pounds on a lawn
Why Does My Mulching Mower Leave Clumps Of Grass? 9 Possible Causes And Solutions
If your mulching mower leaves clumps of grass on your lawn, it suggests there’s something wrong with your mower or your mowing habits. In this
How To Charge A Lawn Mower Battery
Just bought a new cordless lawn mower and wondering how the battery charging process works? Or do you have a riding mower with a battery
Can You Use A Mower With An Extension Cord?
It’s your first time mowing your lawn with your new electric lawn mower, and you’ve got halfway down the lawn before realizing the mower’s cord
Why Is My Lawn Mower Vibrating? 8 Reasons And How To Fix
Why might a lawn mower vibrate badly when it’s in operation? What are the potential causes of excessive vibration, and how can you resolve them?
Can I Recycle My Lawn Mower?
Got an old lawn mower that you want to dispose of? You’re probably wondering whether you can recycle it. In this guide, we’ve discussed whether
How To Stop Birds Eating Grass Seed On UK Lawns: 7 Effective Methods
Birds love seeds of all variety – but we personally think they have a special radar that detects grass seed. Trying to deter birds from
How To Seed A Lawn: The Ultimate Guide For UK Gardens
If you’re looking for information on how to sow grass seed, we’ve provided all the information you need in this guide to seeding a lawn.
Why Is My Grass Dying In Winter? 6 Reasons And How To Fix (UK)
Noticed that patches of your lawn have died over winter? In this guide, we’ve discussed the most likely reasons why grass dues in the winter,
Do Robot Mowers Need WiFi? Everything You Should Know
In the ever-evolving world of lawn care, robotic mowers have emerged as a cutting-edge solution for homeowners seeking a convenient and efficient way to maintain
Self-Propelled Mower Vs Push Mower: Which Is Best?
Trying to choose between a self-propelled mower and a push mower for your lawn? In this guide, we’ve compared self propelled mowers with push mowers,
Best Rotary Mowers For Lawns In The UK July 2024
Looking for a great-value rotary lawn mower to cut your grass in the UK? In this guide, I’ve shared my top recommendations for the best
What Speed Is A Self-Propelled Lawn Mower?
Before you buy a self-propelled lawn mower, you might be wondering how fast one of these mowers moves. It’s important to consider the forward speed
How To Correctly Size A Robot Lawn Mower
Want to know how to size your robot lawn mower for the size of your lawn? In this guide, we’ve shared three easy steps to
Do Manual Mowers Leave Stripes?
If you love the look of a striped lawn, you might be wondering whether a manual lawnmower is capable of mowing stripes. Here, we’ve answered
How Long Does It Take For Mulched Grass Clippings To Decompose?
If you’ve recently bought a mulching mower, you’re probably keen to know how quickly mulched grass clippings will decompose compared to normal-sized grass clippings. We’ve
Are Hover Mowers Any Good? Our Honest Opinion
If you have a small or unusually shaped lawn with lots of obstacles and tight spots, you might be considering buying a hover mower instead
The Ultimate Cordless Mower Maintenance Checklist
If you want to get the most use out of your cordless lawn mower and ensure it lasts as long as possible, you’ll need to
What Petrol Does A Petrol Mower Use?
Wondering what type of petrol is used in a petrol lawn mower’s fuel system? Are there any fuel types that are better than others? And
Can An Electric Mower Handle Tall Grass? An Expert’s Opinion
If you occasionally let your lawn grow longer than you should, you might be wondering whether an electric mower is effective in cutting long grass.
What Type Of Lawn Mower Is Best For An Allotment?
Looking for the best mower for an allotment? In this guide, we’ve shared which mowers we think are the best suited for keeping your allotment
What’s The Average Lawn Size In The UK?
Wondering how your lawn size compares to the average size of a private garden in the UK? Here, we’ve shared how big the average garden
Lawn Size Calculator: How To Properly Size Your Lawn
Whether you’re buying a new lawn mower, you’re planning to undertake a landscaping or garden renovation project, or you need to buy the right amount
Electric Vs Petrol Mower: Which Is Best For You?
Trying to decide whether an electric lawn mower or petrol mower is best for you? In this electric vs petrol lawn mower comparison guide, we’ve
How Do Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers Work?
Self-propelled lawn mowers are a time-saving option for anyone who needs to mow a large lawn. In this guide, we’ve shared everything you need
Why Are Robot Mowers So Expensive? Top 3 Reasons
Even those of us who take pride in our lawns don’t necessarily enjoy the monotonous chore of weekly lawn mowing. So if you’ve been considering
The Ultimate Manual Mower Maintenance Checklist
If you want to enjoy your new manual lawn mower for as many years as possible, there are a few recurring maintenance jobs that you
Do Mulching Mowers Spread Weeds?
You’ve probably heard that mulching mowers can help you to achieve a greener, thicker lawn. But what if your lawn has weeds? Will mulching
Do Hover Mowers Mulch?
You might have noticed that some hover mowers are sold without grass boxes, which poses the question: can hover mowers mulch grass? We’ve answered this
Can You Overcharge A Lawn Mower Battery?
One of the sure-fire ways to shorten your lawn mower battery’s lifespan is by overcharging it. But not all lawn mower batteries are at risk
Best Fertilisers For Indoor Plants In The UK July 2024
The best way to keep your houseplants thriving is with a dedicated indoor plant food. Here, we’ve shared our reviews of the best indoor plant
Can You Mow Wet Grass With An Electric Mower?
Wondering whether you can safely mow your lawn with an electric lawnmower during a wet spell? We’ve shared everything you need to know in this
What Is The One-Third Rule In Mowing?
If you’re interested in mowing to sustain a healthy, green lawn, you might have heard of the one-third rule. Here, we’ve answered the common question,
Do Lawn Mowers Cut Weeds?
Whether you’ve taken ownership of a new garden or allotment, or you’ve neglected part of your garden and have knee-high brambles that you need to
How To Sharpen A Lawn Mower Blade
If you want to get the cleanest, highest-quality cut from your lawn mower year after year, you will need to occasionally sharpen the blade.
Best Electric Start Petrol Lawn Mowers For UK Lawns July 2024
If you love the power, speed, and efficiency of a petrol-powered mower but hate having to crank a pull cord, an electric start petrol lawn
How To Mow An Uneven Lawn: The Complete Guide
Got an uneven lawn that needs mowing? In this guide, we’ve covered the best method of mowing an uneven lawn to achieve the neatest cut
Why Is My Lawn Covered In Moss? How To Remove & Prevent Moss Regrowth
Moss is one of the most common problems in UK lawns. While moss isn’t dangerous, it is ugly, and causes long-lasting damage to your lawn
How Do Mulching Mowers Work?
Trying to decide whether a mulching mower is worth your money and want to know how it works? Here, we’ve shared everything you should
An Expert’s Guide To Essential Lawn Maintenance UK (Season By Season)
Want to know how to look after your lawn throughout spring, summer, autumn, and winter? In this guide, we’ve shared the essential lawn maintenance
Why Is My Lawn Mower Not Starting? 25 Reasons And How To Fix
Just got your lawn mower out of storage and having no luck getting it started? There are a few different reasons why this could be
Best Artificial Grass For UK Lawns
Whether maintaining a real lawn is too much effort, or you want an effortless solution to spruce up your outdoor space, artificial grass might be
Are Manual Mowers Any Good? An Honest Review
The concept of a manual mower is pretty great – a lightweight lawn mower that’s completely person-powered and cuts your lawn without a noisy engine
How To Start A Petrol Lawn Mower In 8 Easy Steps
Starting a petrol lawn mower is a bit daunting if you’ve never done it before. Or maybe you’ve been using petrol lawn mowers for years,
Best Self-Propelled Cordless Mowers For UK Lawns July 2024
Looking for a battery-powered self-propelled lawn mower for your UK lawn? Here, we’ve shared our reviews of the best cordless self-propelled lawn mowers based
What Oil Does A Petrol Mower Take?
Oil is as essential as fuel in a petrol mower. Without oil – and without the right oil, for that matter – the engine will
Can You Mow A Lawn With A Strimmer? An Expert Advises
Whatever the reason, you might find yourself in a situation where your grass is getting overgrown and you don’t have a mower to hand –
What Happens If You Mow Your Lawn With Dull Mower Blades?
Struggling to achieve a cleanly cut lawn? You probably need to sharpen your lawn mower blades. In this short guide, we’ve shared what will
How To Aerate A Lawn: Easy Step-By-Step Guide
Aerating your lawn is something that I recommend doing at least once a year if you want to sustain healthy grass growth and prevent soil
The Ultimate Electric Mower Maintenance Checklist
Just bought a new electric mower? You’ll want to know how to maintain it to enjoy year after year of quality operation. Here, we’ve
Best Lawn Aerators For UK Gardens: Tested And Reviewed
Ready to advance from a simple garden fork to a more capable lawn aerator for your UK garden? In this guide, we’ve shared reviews
A Simple Guide To Lawn Mowing For The Elderly
If you’re active and mobile, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t continue to mow the lawn as an elderly person. Lawn mowing is a great
Are Manual Mowers Safe For The Elderly?
Whether you’re looking for a new lawn mower for yourself or a family member over the age of 60, you might be wondering whether manual
Is It Safe For Elderly People To Mow The Lawn?
Wondering whether you, an older friend, or a senior family member can safely mow the lawn? Here, I’ve answered the question: “Can elderly people safely
How To Mow A Lawn Efficiently: Our Top 10 Tips
Want to mow your lawn as quickly as possible and with the least hassle? Follow our top tips on the best mowers, mowing practices, and
Best Self Propelled Petrol Mowers For UK Lawns July 2024
If you’re looking for the best self-propelled petrol mower for your UK lawn, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ve reviewed the most
Pros And Cons Of Cylinder Lawn Mowers (UK)
Cylinder lawn mowers are great mowers for people who want to achieve a neat, ornamental lawn, thanks to their scissor-like cutting action, which produces a
Best Lawn Mowers For Cutting Wet Grass UK: July 2024
Looking for a lawn mower that can safely and effectively cut wet grass as well as dry? Here, we’ve shared the best lawn mowers for
How To Safely Kill Weeds On Your Lawn
Want to know how to kill weeds without killing your grass? I’ve shared my top recommended methods in this guide for UK-based gardeners who
Best Lawn Mowers For Shredding Leaves UK July 2024
Looking for a mower that can collect both grass and leaves from your lawn? In this guide, we’ve shared our reviews of the best lawn
Mulching Vs Collecting Grass: Which Mowing Type Is Best?
Many lawn mowers today come with a mulching function as well as the standard grass collection box that most of us are used to.
Best Lawn Mower And Strimmer Set UK July 2024
A growing number of lawn mower manufacturers are selling mower and strimmer sets at a better value than buying each item separately. In this
Pros And Cons Of Petrol Lawn Mowers (UK)
Petrol lawn mowers are still a common favourite for domestic lawn mowing thanks to their powerful engines that help you get the job done faster.
What Mower Type Is Best For Hills?
Looking for the best mower for a sloped or hilly lawn? In this guide, I’ve shared which mowers I think are best for safely
Pros And Cons Of Mulching Mowers (UK)
Mulching mowers have a mulching function that chops grass clippings into tiny pieces, which are then recycled back onto the lawn as a natural fertiliser.
Do Electric Lawn Mowers Use A Lot Of Electricity (UK)?
With the cost of living continuing to rise, I don’t blame you if you want to reduce your energy spend as much as possible.
Best Hover Lawn Mowers UK July 2024
Hover mowers are cheaper and easier to maneuver than conventional wheeled lawn mowers, making them ideal for small, tight, or unusually shaped gardens. We’ve
Pros And Cons Of Hover Lawn Mowers
Hover mowers are a compact, maneuverable alternative to conventional wheeled rotary mowers. These mowers float on a cushion of air rather than sitting on
Best Grass Seed For Shaded Lawns UK July 2024
Whether your lawn is in partial or full shade, if you want a grass seed mix to have the best results, you need to buy
At What Age Can Children Safely Mow The Lawn?
Want to get your kids involved in the family chores? Here, I’ve shared my advice on how old a child should be to safely mow
How To Find The Best Deals On Lawn Mowers (UK): 7 Best Methods
Want to find the best lawn mower at the lowest price in the UK? Here, I’ve shared my top 7 tips on how to
Best Autumn Lawn Feed UK July 2024
Looking for the best autumn lawn feed that will carry your lawn through the damp, cold months? In this guide, we’ve reviewed the most popular