We have a large tree at the front of our house and underneath the tree the grass is patchy and the ground is rock hard, we fertilise and water in the summer but each year get the same result. When is the best time to water your lawn?

• Large trees take a lot of nutrients and water from the soil so it is always challenging to establish lawns under them. Some trees such as walnut trees have tannins that impede grass growth.
• The best time to water lawns is in the growing season, spring through to autumn, how often a lawn needs watering is weather dependent.
• Deep watering is preferable to light infrequent watering, a good soaking once or twice a week is the minimum, in the height of summer it could be daily. 
• Water in the morning rather than in the evening as the lawn sits damp for hours overnight which gives rise to fungal diseases.
• Improve the soil around the tree by adding organic matter to the soil, or Tui Lawn Preparation mix over the top of the existing grass and water in. The tree feeder roots are going to extract soil moisture and nutrients so it is hard to get an even lawn in this situation.