Spring lawn care maintenance is essential in the UK due to the specific weather conditions that affect grass health and growth. After the winter months, lawns need revitalising care to ensure they regain their vigour and are able to withstand common threats, such as weeds and moss. Proper lawn care during the spring months helps create a strong foundation for a healthy, verdant lawn throughout the rest of the year.
Some key aspects of spring lawn care include regular mowing, appropriate fertilisation, and addressing any uneven patches or bare areas. By following a diligent maintenance routine, homeowners can enjoy a lush, green lawn that enhances the overall appearance of their garden and creates an ideal space for outdoor activities during the warmer months. Implementing effective spring lawn care practices also plays a crucial role in supporting the overall health of the surrounding ecosystem, benefiting both homeowners and the wider environment alike.
Mowing and Lawn Maintenance Practices
Spring lawn care maintenance is essential in the UK to ensure a healthy and strong lawn throughout the year. This section will focus on mowing and lawn maintenance practices, including proper mowing techniques and dealing with lawn pests.
Proper Mowing Techniques
Once your grass starts to grow in spring, it’s important to begin regular mowing to keep the lawn growing strongly and deter weed growth. Regular mowing helps maintain the ideal height of the grass, preventing damage and stress to the lawn. The RHS Gardening recommends mowing your lawn with the correct cutter height, which is generally higher in the spring to maintain optimal grass height for healthy growth.
Keep mower blades sharp for a clean cut
Mow when the grass is dry to prevent clumping
Change mowing direction periodically to prevent soil compaction
Gradually lower the cutting height as the weather warms up
Fertilising
Now this shouldn’t be necessary for those with mulching or robotic lawn mowers, but if you want to give your lawn that extra something, then you might want to consider some fertilisers. There are loads of organic and synthetic fertilisers to choose from, granules or liquid fertilisers, it’s really up to your preference which one you choose. Of course, it goes without saying that there are many advantages of using organic fertilisers.
Feeding your lawn in early spring will make the roots stronger and healthier and will provide a great start before the growing season. If you would like to learn more about when to fertilise during the year, how to use fertiliser properly, what to do after you have fertilised and the best tools available for the job, you can read my lawn fertiliser schedule article.
You also might need to deal with weeds at some point so stocking up on a pre-emergent herbicide would be a good idea. Just remember to apply to the weeds individually so none goes to waste and doesn’t impact the grass. They usually last about 3 months so you might need to re-apply during summer.
You can of course try to make your own homemade organic weed killer that is very easy, cheap and quick to make. You will only need to mix 3 ingredients together and spray (vinegar, salt and washing up liquid).
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Overseeding
Depending on the amount of wear and tear your lawn has received over the winter months, you might need to overseed during the beginning of spring, especially if you have some damaged/bare spots.
So that your seeding is effective, make sure you aren’t spreading it over areas which you have applied a herbicide. As one is made for growing and the other for killing, they’ll sort of counteract each other. You can either choose one over the other, depending on your lawns needs, or you can apply them to focused areas, e.g. focusing the herbicide to weeds.
Overseeding is an activity that can often be overlooked by many gardeners. There are many benefits to overseeding – not only will it reduce weeds and moss in your lawn but it will also improve the colour and thickness of your grass. You will have to ensure that the seed you use blends with the existing grass, or simply use the same seed you used previously. This is even more important if you are overseeding bare patches (naturally mixing ornamental seed with hard wearing seed will not be a good idea).
If you are overseeding your entire lawn, something that should be part of your annual lawn maintenance, ensure you have the right tool for the job. This can of course be done by hand, but for sure using a lawn spreader is best way to achieve accurate and uniform distribution. There are many different types to choose from i.e. drop, rotary, hand held or spreader packs. Drop spreaders are the most popular and widely used tool.
If you would like to learn more about the overseeding process, benefits tips and best selling tools for the job read my article best tips for overseeding your lawn.
Aeration
Lawn aeration is punching holes into to soil to relieve compaction, improve drainage and allows for more air and nutrients to get deep into the grass roots, all of which make for better growing conditions. Although this may sound like it is causing damage to your grass, it is actually highly beneficial. It encourages the roots to grow deeper, providing stronger, healthier lawn with higher density.
You can either aerate manually with a garden fork, aeration shoes or with a powered aeration machine. The last method is of course the easiest and fastest in terms of physical effort.
Aeration should be done when the soil is moist – not too wet or not too dry, and ideally just before you plan to fertilise and top-dress your lawn. Aeration is an important part of your regular lawn maintenance schedule and should be done whenever you notice an issue with your lawn i.e. lawn being water-logged, showing signs of compaction.
If you have a lot of clay in your soil, I would recommend that you aerate during spring.
There are different types of tines that can be used to aerate your lawn (spike/solid tines, chisel /slit tines, hollow tines).
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For most lawns you should use either chisel or solid tines, they will be able to treat the majority of lawn problems without being too invasive. Although if the problem appears to be very bad, to the point where these tines seem useless, then you can use hollow tine aerators. They remove plugs of soil from the lawn usually about 5cm to 7cm long. The holes will stay open for longer period of time to allow air, nutrients and fertiliser to reach the roots. This is the most invasive method of aeration and therefore should not be used on a regular basis.
Scarify / Rake
The main purpose of scarifying lawns is to remove excess thatch, weeds and moss. It opens up the soils allowing air, water and fertiliser to penetrate the roots making the lawn healthy and strong.
You will need to choose the right season and weather conditions to scarify. Ideally the grass needs to be moist – not too dry or not too wet; same as with aeration.
In spring you should consider lighter raking or scarification and later in the year around autumn you should carry out a deeper scarification.
Top-Dressing
Top-dressing is a method of adding a fine layer of specific material (i.e. soil, sand) to the lawn surface.
There are many benefits for example improves drainage, helps to prevent thatch, improves the quality and fertility of the lawn, helps with overseeding.
Top-dressing can really be done at any point during the growing season, but it is a good idea to top-dress after the aeration or scarification process as it helps to improve drainage and promotes healthier grass growth.
In terms of how much top-dressing is needed, you will need 1 cubic metre for every 100 metre squared of lawn to achieve 1 cm depth. If you want to top-dress deeper then you will need to purchase more top-dressing material.
Top-dressing is also useful for lawns which are uneven, but of course you will need to purchase more top-dressing material. If you would like to learn more about how to top dress your lawn, the benefits and best tools available you can read my detailed article.
Dealing with Moss
In most cases you’ll have follow a lawn moss removal guide and scarify/rake any area of moss, but before you do so make sure you apply a weed killer, this kills and removes more of the moss. Afterwards it’ll turn into a black/brown colour, at which point you should scarify it. You can either use a spring tine rake by vigorously pulling it through the grass or you can use an electric or petrol scarifier – of course they are much easier and quicker to use.
There are many reasons why you have moss in your lawn, normally it is a good indication of a bigger issue i.e. cutting your grass too short, mowing infrequently, poor lawn maintenance including not aerating and scarifying, not using fertilisers, leaving leaves to sit on your lawn etc.
To prevent moss appearing in your lawn you need to follow a good and regular lawn maintenance schedule. If your lawn is healthy, strong and in good condition lawn diseases and moss will be kept to a minimum or not appear at all. If you would like to learn more about Cordless or Best Electric Leaf Blowers and Vacuums to help you with keeping your lawn tidy and healthy, click on my Buyers Guide.
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Dealing with Weeds
The best way to prevent weeds appearing in your garden is by having a good lawn maintenance regime, a vigorous, dense and healthy growing lawn will outcompete the growing weeds. This is done by regularly feeding the lawn with quality fertiliser, regular mowing with a sharp blade (should be checked monthly at least), scarifying, aerating and overseeding all thinner patches when necessary.
Although if you decide to remove the weeds manually by cutting them out and removing the roots, then remember to fill the bare area with seeds. Otherwise the weeds could return and begin growing again.
But if you want to take care of weeds quickly, then I recommend applying a liquid weed killer. These products contain special ingredients that when applied according to instructions, won’t cause damage to your lawn. Instead it’ll control most broad-leaved weeds.
You can choose between chemical and non-chemical weed killer or steel claw weeder, either way if you want to learn more about keeping control of weeds in your lawn you can read my article.
Dealing with Dead Spots/Bare Patches
Dealing with bare patches is important to prevent weeds and moss appearing. To do so correctly follow the process below:
Add around 1cm of compost to the patch and work it into the soil, it has to be level
Add grass seeds evenly across the bare patch, consider how much shade/sun exposure your lawn is getting before choosing which types you use
Now with a hard-tooth rake work the seed into the soil at about 1cm deep
To prevent the soil from dying out, you can sprinkle some grass clippings over the patch
Make sure you keep this area moist, so lightly water it once a day until the seeds germinate and the new grass grows to about 2cm tall
Dealing with Lawn Pests
Lawn pests can cause various problems in your garden, damaging your lawn and affecting its overall health. Early detection and control of pests during spring lawn care maintenance are crucial to maintain a healthy lawn. Here are some common lawn pests in the UK and their management:
Pest
Signs
Control Measures
Chafer grubs
Brown patches on the lawn and birds pecking at the grass
Use biological control agents, such as nematodes
Leatherjackets
Yellowing grass, slow growth, and visible grubs in the soil
Encourage natural predators and use nematode-based treatments
Ants
Visible ant nests and small mounds of soil
Brush away nests and use ant control products if necessary
It is essential to identify and control pests early in the season, as they can cause significant damage if left untreated. By following proper mowing techniques and dealing with lawn pests in the spring, you can maintain a healthy and beautiful lawn throughout the UK’s growing season.
The Benefits of a Well-Maintained Spring Lawn
Curb Appeal and Property Value
A well-kept lawn in the spring contributes to a property’s overall curb appeal, making it more attractive to both residents and potential buyers. A neat and healthy lawn can also positively impact property value, as it reflects proper care and maintenance. Engaging in spring lawn care routines, such as mowing and fertilising, can help prevent weeds and moss from establishing, ensuring a visually appealing green space.
Environmental Impact
Proper spring lawn care has favourable effects on the environment. A healthy lawn can serve as a natural air filter, trapping pollutants and dust particles in its turf. Furthermore, grass can absorb noise pollution, reducing noise levels in residential areas. Ensuring your lawn is well-aerated during the spring season allows air and water to reach the soil, promoting a robust ecosystem that supports biodiversity.
Health and Wellness Benefits
A well-maintained spring lawn offers various health and wellness advantages. For instance, a lush green lawn can provide natural air conditioning, lowering the surrounding temperature and making the area more comfortable during warmer months. Additionally, a well-maintained lawn encourages outdoor activity and fosters mental well-being by offering an inviting space for relaxation and leisure.
Conclusion
In summary, Spring Lawn Care Maintenance is crucial in the UK due to the region’s specific climate and the lawn’s growth cycle. As the grass begins to grow actively during spring, proper care such as mowing, feeding, and watering can prepare the lawn for the warmer months ahead, leading to a lush, green, and healthy lawn that is aesthetically pleasing and beneficial for the environment.
Moreover, it is essential to follow recommended regional practices, such as mowing at specific heights depending on the conditions of the lawn, and providing appropriate feeding and watering schemes. Ensuring that all these measures are in place can lead to increased lawn strength, vigour, and health, which improves its durability during the drier summer months.
Ultimately, investing time and effort in Spring Lawn Care Maintenance in the UK not only creates a visually appealing lawn but also fosters a healthier lawn ecosystem, resilient enough to face the challenges brought on by different seasons.
Final Words
In this article I have covered how to maintain your lawn in Spring to get it prepared for the warmer months ahead, but of course do not forget that your hedges may need to be pruned, your patio and decking may need to be pressure washed and your soil may need some help from a tiller or cultivator/rotavator to be ready for replanting.
As a seasoned expert in the field of garden power tools, I have dedicated over a decade to working with and reviewing a wide variety of lawn mowers. My extensive experience has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the benefits and limitations of different types of mowers and garden tools.
Over the years, I have honed my skills in writing informative articles and creating helpful videos for various blogs and publications. This has given me the ability to not only recognise what makes a good lawn mower, but also to help you choose the perfect garden tool for your specific needs and requirements.
With my wealth of knowledge and expertise, I am confident that I can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations when it comes to selecting the right lawn mower for your lawn. So, whether you're looking for a battery cordless, electric, petrol, or robotic mower, you can trust in my expertise to guide you towards the best option for your garden.
4 thoughts on “Why is Spring Lawn Care Maintenance Important in the UK? Essential Tips and Benefits”
Cathy
Hi, Mark,
You have done a great job explaining what to for your grass in the Spring. I have a terrible weed problem with Dollar weeds being the worst. What do you recommend for those and can I use weed killer during the hot summer months? I was told that I could burn the grass by applying weed n feed if it’s too hot. I had never heard of a robot lawn mower before and will have to go read your post on that. Thanks for your advice.
Hi Cathy, if you’re being told that you could burn the grass then I would just play it safe and remove them manually. This may take more effort but could be more effective, just remeber to fill in the bare spots afterwards, you don’t want the weeds to grow back!
Thanks for the comment and I’m sure you’ll love my reviews. If you need anymore help then please ask me :-)
Hi thanks for the great post although I got a little put off when you started to talk about weedicide spraying. It has always worried me because lawns are also beautiful places for kids to play and pets to wander and couples to rest on.
I kept reading and was so pleased to see your next post is about organic lawn care. The way it commenced was very reassuring that you understand the techniques of working with nature instead of against it.
Thanks for a lovely read and some great tips.
Yeah I totally agree Janelle, you really don’t know what’s in these synthetic fertilisers, they could have disastrous effects to uour health. So yeah I would stick to the advice on my Organic Lawn Care post, not only is this much safer but it’s actually better for your lawn as well.
Thanks for the comment, I’m really glad you enjoyed the read :-)
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Hi, Mark,
You have done a great job explaining what to for your grass in the Spring. I have a terrible weed problem with Dollar weeds being the worst. What do you recommend for those and can I use weed killer during the hot summer months? I was told that I could burn the grass by applying weed n feed if it’s too hot. I had never heard of a robot lawn mower before and will have to go read your post on that. Thanks for your advice.
Hi Cathy, if you’re being told that you could burn the grass then I would just play it safe and remove them manually. This may take more effort but could be more effective, just remeber to fill in the bare spots afterwards, you don’t want the weeds to grow back!
Thanks for the comment and I’m sure you’ll love my reviews. If you need anymore help then please ask me :-)
Hi thanks for the great post although I got a little put off when you started to talk about weedicide spraying. It has always worried me because lawns are also beautiful places for kids to play and pets to wander and couples to rest on.
I kept reading and was so pleased to see your next post is about organic lawn care. The way it commenced was very reassuring that you understand the techniques of working with nature instead of against it.
Thanks for a lovely read and some great tips.
Yeah I totally agree Janelle, you really don’t know what’s in these synthetic fertilisers, they could have disastrous effects to uour health. So yeah I would stick to the advice on my Organic Lawn Care post, not only is this much safer but it’s actually better for your lawn as well.
Thanks for the comment, I’m really glad you enjoyed the read :-)