Lawn care tips – great ideas for healthier grass

Your lawn requires regular attention and care to keep it looking gorgeous and green. We’ve asked some gardening experts including Craig Roman of Dobbies Garden Centres and the team at Flymo to share their lawn care know-how.

With Flymo declaring April 7th ‘First Cut Sunday’ – the official day to kick off gardening season – now is the ideal time to give your lawn some much needed TLC.

1. Get rid of leaves, weeds and moss

Clear leaves with a rake as soon as they fall so they don’t rot and damage grass. Banish weeds either by hand, using a traditional daisy grubber, or a chemical treatment. Chemicals are less effort but make sure you follow the instructions to the letter to avoid over-treating and unnecessary damage.

Use a spring-tine rake to remove moss (called scarifying). It’s hard work but it stops the moss smothering the grass, giving it a chance to grow. Only scarify in spring, otherwise you can cause lasting damage.

2. Spruce up your edges

Keep the borders of your lawn neat by using a half-moon edger a couple of times a year. This tool will define the line between flower beds and lawn and make your whole garden look tidier instantly.

3. Alter the cutting height with care

If you have ‘let the garden grow’ in colder months and your lawn is looking a little unkempt come spring, then fear not. You can gradually decrease the cutting height on your lawnmower over the weeks each time to reach your desired grass length. Cutting the grass too short, too quickly is known as ‘scalping’ and this can result in disease and weed infestation.

4. Improve drainage

‘If you have a wet, soggy lawn, plunge a fork into the ground all over your patch (called aerating),’ advises Craig. Go as deep as possible every 30cm or so, and it will help with drainage and encourage grass root growth for generally more healthy grass.