Annual Lawn Care Plan

Starting From a Good Place

This annual care plan assumes that the lawn is starting from a good place. It may be a recently turfed lawn that has rooted and begun to establish, or an existing lawn that has been improved using our Lawn Reconditioning | Regeneration Specification. The purpose of this plan is to protect that work, maintain healthy grass growth and help prevent compaction, moss, thatch and bare areas from returning.

Lawn care should always respond to the weather and condition of the grass. The months given below are a guide for a typical UK garden and may need to be adjusted during unusually wet, cold or dry years.

Recently Turfed Lawns

Recently laid turf requires gentler treatment during its first growing season.

1. Continue the watering regime supplied with the turf until the roots are established.
2. Do not mow until the turf is firmly rooted and cannot be lifted easily from the soil.
3. Use a sharp mower and remove no more than one third of the grass height during the first cut.
4. Avoid scarification, hollow tine aeration and aggressive raking during the first growing season.
5. Do not apply selective weed treatments until the turf is properly established and the product is confirmed as suitable for young lawns.
6. Keep foot traffic and garden furniture to a minimum while the ground remains soft.

Mowing Principles

Regular mowing is the most important part of maintaining a healthy lawn.

1. Mow according to growth rather than following a fixed weekly timetable.
2. During active growth, a general garden lawn should normally be maintained at approximately 30 to 40 mm.
3. Shaded lawns and lawns under drought stress should be maintained at approximately 40 to 50 mm.
4. Never remove more than one third of the grass height in a single cut.
5. Keep mower blades clean and sharp. Blunt blades tear the grass and leave pale, frayed tips.
6. Change the direction of mowing regularly to prevent the grass leaning in one direction and to reduce surface compaction.
7. Collect long, wet or diseased grass cuttings. Short, dry cuttings may be returned to a healthy lawn using a suitable mulching mower.
8. Avoid mowing when the lawn is frozen, waterlogged or excessively wet.

January and February | Protect the Lawn

Grass growth is normally limited during winter.

1. Keep fallen leaves and debris off the lawn to prevent yellowing and fungal disease.
2. Avoid walking across frozen or waterlogged grass.
3. Do not mow unless the weather is mild, the grass is actively growing and the surface is sufficiently dry.
4. Arrange servicing and blade sharpening for lawn mowing equipment.
5. Inspect the lawn for areas of standing water, excessive shade or repeated compaction that may require attention later in the year.

March | Begin Spring Care

As temperatures rise, grass will begin to grow.

1. Carry out the first cut once the grass is actively growing and the ground is firm enough to support the mower.
2. Set the mower higher than its normal summer setting for the first few cuts.
3. Gradually reduce the mowing height over several cuts.
4. Rake away remaining leaves, twigs and loose debris using a spring tine rake.
5. Repair damaged lawn edges using existing turf or new turf of a matching type.
6. Aerate isolated compacted areas with a garden fork or solid tine aerator when the ground is moist but not waterlogged.
7. Do not apply fertiliser until active growth has begun.

April | Feed and Strengthen

April is normally the main period for spring feeding.

1. Apply a proprietary spring lawn fertiliser at the manufacturer’s stated rate.
2. Choose a balanced or slow release lawn feed suitable for the grass and soil conditions.
3. Apply fertiliser evenly using a calibrated spreader.
4. Avoid overlapping applications, which can scorch the grass or create bands of uneven growth.
5. Water the lawn after feeding if rain is not expected and the product instructions require it.
6. Begin regular mowing as growth increases.
7. Remove isolated weeds by hand. Selective lawn weed treatment may be used on established lawns where necessary, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not use a general garden weedkiller on a lawn.

May | Maintain Active Growth

Grass growth is usually vigorous during May.

1. Mow once or twice each week where necessary, continuing to remove no more than one third of the grass height.
2. Trim lawn edges to maintain a clean boundary between the lawn and adjacent borders or paving.
3. Remove weeds before they flower and set seed.
4. Check for dry patches, pest damage and areas of uneven growth.
5. Water only where prolonged dry weather causes the soil to dry significantly.
6. Avoid frequent light watering, which encourages shallow root growth.

June | Prepare for Drier Conditions

Growth may begin to slow as temperatures increase.

1. Continue mowing regularly but raise the cutting height slightly during dry weather.
2. Avoid mowing very short in an attempt to reduce the frequency of cutting.
3. Established lawns may be allowed to become dormant during prolonged dry weather. Although the grass may turn brown, it will usually recover when rainfall returns.
4. Where a green lawn is required, water deeply and less frequently rather than applying a small amount every day.
5. Aim to provide approximately 20 to 25 mm of water each week, including rainfall, applied over one or two watering sessions.
6. Water early in the morning or during the evening to reduce evaporation.
7. Do not apply fertiliser to dry or drought stressed grass unless reliable irrigation is available.

July and August | Manage Heat and Drought

During hot or dry periods, the priority is to reduce stress.

1. Maintain the grass at approximately 40 to 50 mm.
2. Reduce mowing frequency when growth slows.
3. Avoid mowing during the hottest part of the day.
4. Do not scarify, aerate or apply high nitrogen fertiliser during drought conditions.
5. Keep paddling pools, furniture, planters and other objects from remaining in one position for prolonged periods.
6. Move furniture regularly to prevent grass death and compaction.
7. Inspect the lawn towards the end of August and identify areas requiring autumn aeration, scarification, top dressing or overseeding.

September | Main Renovation Period

Late summer and early autumn usually provide the best conditions for corrective lawn work.

1. Mow the lawn and remove all cuttings.
2. Lightly scarify established lawns where moss or excessive thatch is present.
3. Collect and remove all loosened material.
4. Aerate compacted areas using solid or hollow tines as appropriate.
5. Avoid damaging tree roots, buried irrigation and garden lighting cables.
6. Apply a compatible lawn top dressing where the surface requires minor levelling or soil improvement.
7. Overseed bare and thinning areas using a seed mixture suitable for the lawn’s light levels and intended use.
8. Keep newly sown areas moist until the grass has germinated and begun to establish.
9. Restrict access to repaired areas.

Scarification should only be carried out where the condition of the lawn requires it. Unnecessary or aggressive scarification can weaken healthy grass.

October | Autumn Feeding and Leaf Control

As growth begins to slow, the lawn should be prepared for winter.

1. Apply a proprietary autumn lawn fertiliser where required.
2. Use an autumn formulation containing less nitrogen than a spring feed.
3. Continue mowing while the grass remains actively growing.
4. Raise the mowing height and reduce the frequency of cutting.
5. Remove fallen leaves regularly. Leaves left on the lawn restrict light and airflow and can encourage fungal disease.
6. Complete overseeding early enough for germination before soil temperatures fall.
7. Avoid applying spring or summer fertiliser late in the year.

November and December | Finish the Growing Season

1. Continue to remove fallen leaves and debris.
2. Carry out a final cut if the grass is still growing and ground conditions are suitable.
3. Leave the grass approximately 40 to 50 mm high going into winter.
4. Avoid mowing, aerating or scarifying waterlogged ground.
5. Limit foot traffic during prolonged wet or frosty conditions.
6. Keep the lawn clear of furniture, toys, temporary coverings and stored materials.

Helpful Notes:

Aeration

Aeration should be carried out where the surface has become compacted or where rainfall is slow to enter the soil.

1. Solid tine aeration is suitable for relieving light surface compaction.
2. Hollow tine aeration removes plugs of soil and is suitable for more heavily compacted lawns.
3. Aerate when the soil is moist enough for the tines to enter but not waterlogged.
4. Concentrate on gateways, walking routes, play areas and locations beneath garden furniture.
5. Within the rooting area of established trees, use hand tools and avoid cutting woody roots.

A lawn should not be aerated simply because the calendar says so. The condition of the soil should determine whether the work is required.

Scarification and Moss

Moss is commonly associated with shade, poor drainage, compaction, low fertility or mowing the grass too short.

1. Identify and correct the cause of moss wherever possible.
2. Apply a suitable moss treatment only where required and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Rake or scarify once the moss has died.
4. Remove all loosened moss and thatch.
5. Overseed exposed soil to prevent bare areas being recolonised by moss or weeds.
6. Do not aggressively scarify recently laid turf or grass weakened by drought.

Feeding

Most established domestic lawns require no more than two main feeds each year.

1. Apply a spring feed once active growth begins.
2. Apply an autumn feed during September or October where required.
3. Use products formulated for the relevant season.
4. Always measure the lawn and calculate the correct amount of fertiliser.
5. More fertiliser does not produce a better lawn. Excessive feeding can scorch the grass, cause weak growth and increase mowing requirements.

Watering

Established lawns should be encouraged to develop deep roots.

1. Water thoroughly and less frequently.
2. Avoid daily light watering once the lawn is established.
3. Check that water is reaching the soil rather than remaining on the grass leaves.
4. Reduce or stop irrigation during periods of adequate rainfall.
5. Follow any local water restrictions.
6. Newly turfed and newly seeded areas require more frequent watering until properly established.

Annual Review

Inspect the lawn each spring and autumn. Record areas affected by shade, compaction, drought, moss, weeds or heavy use and treat the cause rather than repeatedly treating the symptom.

A healthy lawn does not require every possible treatment each year. Mowing, leaf removal and sensible watering form the foundation of the plan. Aeration, scarification, feeding, top dressing and overseeding should then be used according to the condition of the lawn.

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