A lush green lawn is what we all dream of having in our gardens. But after the winter weather, it may be looking a little worst for wear. But you can get your grass in top condition this spring with these top lawn care tips to make it last through summer too.

1 REMOVE LEAVES AND DEBRIS

Leaves and other dead plant matter can block out light, smother the grass, and harbour diseases. Keep your lawn healthy by raking out and removing plant material regularly throughout the year.

You should also collect grass clippings as you mow to keep the lawn clear. These materials can be added to your compost heap which will break down and supply you with good quality garden compost.

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2 RAKE IT OVER

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Before you mow, lightly rake the lawn to remove moss and thatch.

Lightly de-thatching or scarifying willl also lift up clover runners to stop the weeds spreading.

3 MOW AT THE RIGHT HEIGHT

You should not cut grass lower than one inch (2.5cm) high. If it’s quite dry, raise the lawnmower blades to 1.5 inches (4cm) high.

For the first cut of the year, raise the blades to their highest setting to avoid scalping the grass, and gradually lower them later in the spring.

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4 MOW EVEN HIGHER IN SHADE

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Shady areas of the lawn should be cut higher because they receive less light. Aim for at least 1.5 inches (4cm) high.

By keeping the grass longer, you will increase its drought resistance and discourage the germination of weeds.

5 RESEED BARE PATCHES

The next spring lawn care tip is to fill in any bare spots with grass seed. Lightly fork over the soil to loosen it up and add a layer of fresh topsoil. Sow the seed over the top and cover with a light sprinkling of more topsoil.

Water this in well and keep birds at bay by covering the area with netting or string held up with plant markers. Keep the soil moist to encourage germination and beware mowing it too low and scalping the emerging grass.

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6 AERATE COMPACTED LAWNS

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When soil gets compacted, it reduces the air available to plants and soil organisms and can cause waterlogging. Compaction is most prevalent on walkways or lawns that get used a lot. It is also a common problem with clay soils.

Aerate the lawn by pushing the prongs of a garden fork deep into the grass at regular intervals to open up air channels. You can backfill these holes with sand or grit if your lawn is prone to waterlogging.

7 GET RID OF WEEDS

Weeds in the lawn can look unsightly and compete for moisture and nutrients with the grass. If you have a few weeds in odd spots, use my guide for weed removal.

If your lawn is covered in weeds, apply a grass fertiliser with a built-in weedkiller to both remove weeds and strengthen the grass. There are also products get rid of moss in the lawn.

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8 FEED WITH FERTILISER

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Want the kind of lush, dense green lawn you see in photos? Special lawn feed is the answer. Add nutrients to boost growth and strength, and your lawn will be transformed.

Make sure you choose the right one – spring fertilisers are rich in nitrogen and create lots of fresh green leaf growth. Autumn fertilisers promote strong root growth to help grass survive the winter.

With these tips for lawn care, you will have glorious grass in now time to use through spring and summer. Taking care of your lawn all year round will help it bounce back after the winter weather and summer scorching.

Spring is here, see my post on spring pollinators:

Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas: