1 week Ago By Phoebe Cornish
A lush green lawn can make even a bare garden look vibrant and interesting, but it doesn't come without hard work. For Britons wondering what to do with their garden grass since the weather has started to resemble spring, Daniel Brooks, Founder at BuyLawnTurf.co.
uk, shared his wisdom. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.
uk, he said: "The first thing to consider is that despite being in spring, it's still early days. The weather can still be temperamental, which rules out a few jobs. Many DIY gardeners will assume that now is the time to aerate and scarify, and they'd be 50% correct.
" Even if your garden lawn looks like it is calling out for some big changes, like being raked, Daniel urged people to turn their attention to other gardening tasks. He said: "Avoid scarifying until April when the temperatures are more favourable and consistent, and instead, focus on aerating your garden." Lawn aeration is the process of poking small holes into the soil to improve air, water, and nutrient penetration to the grassroots, which helps to alleviate soil compaction and promote healthier, stronger lawn growth.
March is a good time for lawn aeration in the UK because it coincides with the start of the grass's growing season. This allows the lawn to recover effectively from winter compaction and benefit from improved drainage and air circulation. As for how to do it, you will need a garden fork or hollow tine fork to begin with, said Daniel.
He explained: "You can spot aerate compacted areas using a garden fork or hollow tine fork to relieve pressure in worn patches." The lawn maestro continued: "Fully aerate your lawn by spiking it in its entirety to improve drainage and root growth, keeping the holes approximately four inches apart." This can be time-consuming, but it can be sped up with a few quirky additions to your tools.
"If you have a large garden, you can speed up the process by using aerator sandals or a rolling aerator for a quicker, more efficient job (although this can be a bit of a workout!)", said Daniel. For those starting spring gardening jobs now or in the coming weeks, the lawn expert recommends focusing on controlling and removing any debris and moss built up over the winter in addition to aerating your lawn. According to Daniel, those keen to start mowing can even do a "very cautious first cut of the season".
If you choose to mow your lawn this weekend, keep it light, as it's still early in the season. Daniel suggests only trimming the tips rather than cutting too low and suggests keeping the mower height at its highest setting. Instead of using your mower, March is a timely opportunity to check over and maintain your mower.
"Ensure the blades are sharp and everything is in good working order before regular mowing begins", said the lawn expert. He added: "If you're using a petrol-based machine, check spark plugs, oil levels, and filters to ensure that there is no leftover fuel from last season.".
