Our guide to spring lawn care..

The recent (and far too short-lived) burst of glorious sunshine really kicked our lawns and gardens into action, reminding those of us who basically hibernate from November to March that it’s time to start taking care of our lawns now so we have somewhere smooth, green and luxuriantly healthy to recline when summer comes.

Lawn care can be way more complicated than we realise, as anybody who has simply mown their lawn and expected this to be enough will appreciate. Luckily for us, British Garden Centres, have put together some expert advice to the most frequently asked spring lawn care questions.

When should we do the first mow of spring?

If you mow too soon, before the grass has properly woken from its winter sleep, you can cause stress to the grass blades, weaken the roots, encourage a buildup of thatch, and promote weed growth.

Mow your lawn only when the grass is dry as this will help ensure an even cut and help prevent pests, diseases, and even potential damage to the mower.

For the first mow, we advise never removing more than one-third of the grass blade’s height. After your first mow, you don’t need to do it again more than once every two weeks, increasing to weekly during the summer months when the growing season is in full swing.

What is scarifying, and when should we do it?

Scarifying a lawn removes moss, thatch, and weeds that compete with grass for nutrients, water, and light. It is best done in spring or autumn when the grass is growing actively. Scarify annually if thatch is 2cm+ and biennially if under 1cm.

Manual scarifying is really easy; all you need is a rake. Rake sections gently in one direction to avoid harming healthy grass, and this will pull up the moss and thatch. Mow the lawn to about 2.5cm on a dry day before scarifying to help the scarifier reach the soil and roots.

If you have a lot of lawn, doing it yourself with a rake could take days. Seek out local specialists such as Green Thumb, who will come as and when you need them, or on a regular basis, to help you keep your lawn looking good.

What is aeration, and why should we do it?

Aeration alleviates soil compaction caused by rainfall, debris, and limited root growth, especially after a wet winter. It is another simple job that can be done with either a proper aerator (have a  search on Amazon – you can find roller versions, slat stamp versions and (my favourite) some you can strap to your boots and have a stamp about, which might feel useful after a tough week…)  or just a garden fork.  All you need to do is spike the lawn at least three inches deep, spacing the holes no more than three inches apart. This improves drainage and allows air and nutrients to reach the roots, and your lawn will thank you for this come summer.

Skipping aeration can lead to drainage issues, water pooling, and weakened grass roots, which you don’t want if you want your lawn to be in tip-top shape come summer. 

How and when should you seed your lawn in spring?

If the winter has left you with some bald patches, you might want to re-seed and this needs to be done as soon as the growing season starts.

Choose a calm, dry day – not windy and not raining. You need to get an even scatter.

Start by preparing the ground – mow or rake the area to ensure good seed-to-soil contact and remove any weeds and thatch in the areas you’re re-seeding..

Rake the soil until it is crumbly and sow your lawn seed as per the package instructions. Once the seeds are sown, gently rake them in to ensure they are covered for proper germination. Lightly compact the soil by walking on it (not stamping), which will help seed and soil contact, as well as protect them from weather disturbances. After this, minimise foot traffic in the area to allow the new seeds to establish strong roots.

You may need to do this a second time as birds can spot the seed and swoop in for a free meal. Just keep an eye on it and re-seed as necessary. We can’t begrudge the birds and easy dinner after a long and hard winter!

Eddie – Friday 14th March 2025.