About Us

Mike Lethbridge

Hello, I am Mike, your local TruGreen LawnCare Expert for Newbury & Basingstoke.

My interest in lawns has been something I’ve had from a young age, living in London and wanting to see green! In all the houses I’ve lived in I have tried myself to have a green healthy lawn. Five years ago I started g a professional lawn care service and saw immediately the difference this made, real green grass that looked great!  So when it came to looking for a business that I could invest and take pride from then lawn care was the obvious choice!

My earlier career has seen me working in IT travelling a lot selling specialist export software then into large corporate hardware sales and the fun of year 2000 compatibility.  I retrained after the Dot Com bubble burst in the earlier ’00’s as a Mortgage Advisor and after cutting my teeth at the sharp end in estate agency, I went on to work for a couple of the UK’s largest best known retail banks. After 2009 I took a sideways step in to corporate employment benefits and group pensions.

I have dabbled a couple of times over the last 25 years and running my own business but found this difficult without the structure, experience and support.  I have now found this with TruGreen and I’m very much looking forward to building a successful local business serving the Newbury, Basingstoke and the surrounding areas.

Lawn care services available

Here at TruGreen Newbury and Basingstoke we understand that every lawn is different. That’s why we provide a FREE 14-point lawn analysis to ensure that your lawn gets the best possible bespoke lawn care package.

Our package includes:

Lawn Fertilisation

Grass plants need on-going nutrition, and absorb their nutrients through their root system. Therefore a good soil rich in nutrients is essential for a healthy lawn. Fertilisation is a lawn treatment that provides, or supplements, the natural nutrients needed to become a healthy lawn. The fertilisers used are changed depending on the time of year to ensure the correct level of Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P) and Pottasium (K) are maintained.

Weed and Moss Control

Moss is something that every lawn suffers from at one time or another. Unless treated and removed, moss will continue to choke out the grass plants. There are various reasons for the build up of moss in a lawn, but very damp and shaded areas are at most risk.

There are hundreds of different weeds which will need to be kept in check with a professional strength weed killer. Different weeds will require a different weed killer for the treatment to be effective.

Pest control

There are a number of grass pests that are common in the UK.  A grass pest is a creature that lives within the soil and feeds on the grass plant.  Many grass pests feed on the root of the plant which causes a rapid deterioration in the condition of your lawn, causing large areas of discoloured grass and potentially a dead lawn. The most common/destructive pests are Leather Jackets and Chafer Grubs. Watch out for Crane Flies (Daddy Long Legs) landing on your lawns at the end of Summer/Autumn as this is when they lay their eggs. An insecticide should be applied as soon as possible to avoid damage to the lawn.

Fungus &  disease control

The development of most diseases are usually dependent upon weather conditions, so recent weather conditions are to be considered during any diagnosis. Most diseases will have certain characteristics such as discolouration of the grasses, brown, dry patches or signs of fungi (mushroom type growth).

Scarification

Scarification is a mechanical operation which helps to remove all unwanted organic matter from around the base of the grass plant (thatch) and tidy up any straggly lateral growth from your lawn. The process will also remove moss that will otherwise choke the grass plant and restrict growth.

Your lawn may need scarification to prevent the build up of debris which could lead to other problems. Thatch will naturally build up over a period of time resulting in an inferior grass quality and appearance, so it is vital that this layer is kept to a minimum. Scarification will also aid fresh grass growth giving an increase in grass density. Thatch and moss infested lawns will not wear well or cope with drought conditions, giving further reasons to support a regular scarification.

Aeration

Modern living means that lawns become compacted very easily and benefit from aerating twice a year. Aeration involves piercing the lawn to allow water, oxygen, fertilisers and other nutrients to penetrate the soil more effectively and reach the roots. There are two main types of aeration which benefit the lawn; solid tine aeration, which aids the development of the grass plant, and hollow core aeration which facilitates the application of a top dressing and improves drainage.

Mowing your lawn correctly

The importance of watering your lawn

TruGreen also offer specialist growth regulator treatments so that you can mow your lawn less often!

If all of this has gone over your head, call in TruGreen Newbury and Basingstoke and let us do the hard work! Call us today for your free 14-point lawn analysis.

Are you wondering if you’re getting the best out of your lawn for this time of year? Below we’ll give you some handy seasonal hints!

When to Water the Lawn
While the temptation is to water the lawn at any time during the day, we need to consider the requirements of the plant. Watering in the morning (preferably before 10 a.m.) is the best time for the grass plant, allowing water to be absorbed through the roots before the temperatures rise to a level where the water applied will be lost to evaporation. Alternatively you can water in the early evening, ideally between 5 and 8pm, as with the longer daylight hours, this will allow for the grass leaf to dry before nightfall, significantly reducing the chances of disease.  Never water an established lawn between the hours of 12noon and 3pm, as not only will evaporation become an issue, but there is the added potential for leaf scorch during extreme temperatures.

How Much Water to Use
When watering an established lawn, you need to water long enough to maintain moisture in the soil profile to a depth of approximately 150mm (6 inches). Be sure not to overwater the lawn, as excessive moisture in the upper surface will lead to shallow rooting, which in turn will give the perfect conditions for annual meadow grass to flourish. Watering every day is not necessary, with a lawn that is watered 3 times a week, for 20 minutes per day, allowing for a weekly application of 25mm (1 inch), being sufficient in allowing for the soil profile to maintain enough moisture in achieving strong growth and encouraging deep roots.

Areas We Cover

TruGreen Newbury and Basingstoke cover the Newbury and Basingstoke area as well as the surrounding villages.

Photo Gallery

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Garden 19 – War Memorial

Garden 20 – Chafer Grubs Killed My Lawn!

Garden 21 – Green grass no weeds

FREE Moss Treatment when you buy an Aeration & Scarification

This offer entitles you to a FREE moss treatment when you buy an aeration and scarification. Maximum lawn size 300 sq/m.