Royal palace's garden manager shares the secret to Kensington Palace's pristine lawns

If you're an avid admirer of the British Royal family, you will already be familiar with the vast grandeur of Kensington Palace and Hampton Court Palace gardens. 

Home to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Kensington Palace is one of the most prestigious and high-profile properties in the United Kingdom. Hampton Court Palace has an equally noble history, dating back to Henry VIII's reign. Preserving the magnificent grounds of these globally-renowned properties is, therefore, an art, which is practiced and mastered by a select number of gardeners- one of which is Graham Dillamore.

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Graham is the Gardens Manager at Historic Royal Palaces (opens in new tab), the team that cares for six of the most recognizable palaces and their publicly accessible gardens in Great Britain. 

How to keep your lawn pristine

Working for the charity, who maintains these formal gardens has taught Mr. Dillamore a host of invaluable garden skills, many of which you can replicate in your own garden. 

Speaking exclusively to Homes & Gardens, the manager revealed the importance of preparing your grass for summer. 'Palace gardens are synonymous with pristine lawns, which can be tricky to master,' he explains.

'Two problems we have across the gardens we care for are moss and thatch, caused by compacting of the soil. We host a lot of events on-site – from outdoor cinema screenings to food festivals – but in a domestic setting, everything from a paddling pool to a gazebo can be to blame.'

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To combat the patches of unsightly moss Graham recommends spiking your lawn regularly. Especially if you're planning your own garden parties this summer.

'Take time to get your lawn ready for summer, especially if you know it's going to be heavily used,' Graham advises. 'Spike your lawn as much as possible and give it a good spring feed before the crowds arrive, and don't mow too short.'

'After each event, we try to spike again to relieve compaction and also drag a brush across the lawn to perk up the turf, which will get some air into the grass and freshen things up,' the manager reveals.

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After weeks of snow and cold weather, many of our lawns have taken a battering. While it might not be the same as contending with a legion of visitors on a daily basis, Graham's tips should ensure your lawn is looking fit for royalty come summer.