Remove leaves and other debris from lawn, aerate when conditions permit. Ensure the mower has been overhauled.
Continue to remove debris, including worm casts. If the grass is getting long and untidy, trim lightly when the grass is dry using a box mower.
Reduce the mowing height gradually throughout the month until it reaches the required height. Light rolling and a systematic but gentle raking will assist spring growth. Worm casts should be removed. Lawn edges can be reshaped and trimmed. If the weather is mild towards the end of the month, apply a spring lawn fertiliser at half the recommended rate, in which case the other half would be applied in May and any weed control would be a separate operation with a proprietary liquid lawn weed killer.
Thin or coarse patches of grass can be reseeded, (ensure that the lawn remains level). Apply lawn fertiliser as instructed on the packet if none has been applied in March. If necessary, this can be a ‘weed and feed’ preparation. Do not use ‘weed and feed’ or selective weed killer on seedling grass or young turf.
Most lawns only require mowing once a week. However as the grass approaches its maximum growth rate, it may be necessary to increase the frequency for the best results. Little and often is infinitely preferable to a more severe cut. Dead grass or thatch should be raked out early in the month. The other half of March fertiliser dressing should now be applied. An appropriate weed killer can be applied if necessary and not already done.
Occasional rolling is beneficial and done automatically if the mower is equipped with a roller. In dry weather trim less frequently and set the mower blades a little higher. Smaller amounts of grass clippings may be left spread on the lawn to retain moisture if there has been little or no rain, but beware as this may return unwanted seeds to the soil. If the lawn shows signs of drought stress it will lose its colour, springiness and texture. It should be watered with a sprinkler early in the morning. We recommend using a sprinkler for the simple reason that it is almost impossible to gauge the application rate when watering with any hand held device. Frequency will depend on the type of grass. Weather conditions also will influence the situation but a good soaking once a week should be adequate. Over watering will encourage shallow roots and weeds. Spiking the lawn with a garden fork will help water soak into dry, hard soil. A seaweed based lawn tonic, preferably containing additional iron, will feed the lawn, but if the lawn is showing signs of wear, a summer lawn fertiliser should be applied.
Mowing frequency can be adjusted as growth slows. Additional fertilisers should not be necessary, but if it is required, a half dose of spring/summer lawn fertiliser in July should be sufficient. During prolonged spells of hot, dry weather, it may be advisable to lift the level of the cut a little. Otherwise as June.
Apply an autumn lawn fertiliser combined with a suitable weed killer if necessary. Scarify to remove thatch. If the grass is thin or needs improvement, sow a suitable seed mix at 15g per square meter yearly in the month. If re-seeding has not been necessary, after a close mowing, any irregularities in surface levels may be corrected by spreading a top dressing of sandy topsoil or 50/50 mix of sharp sand and good loam. The dressing should be dragged to and fro with a lute or the back of a rake to leave the dressing in the depressions. Application rate should be 3 – 4kg per square meter, but be sure to leave the grass leaves visible. Aerate the surface thoroughly with a garden fork or aerator.
If there remain activities still to be done from September use the early weeks of October to finish them. If additional areas are to be turfed this is an excellent time to do it. Raise the height of the cut on the mower a little when mowing. Apply a seaweed based lawn tonic with iron
Trim the grass only if it is still growing. Remove fallen leaves, worm casts and other garden debris regularly. It is too late now for seeding, but turfing will still be successful.
