Five ‘vital’ lawn care steps to follow to encourage ‘better rooting’ and ‘thicker turf’

After a long winter, it’s likely many Britons’ garden lawns are looking a little worse for wear. Months of cold and wet weather can leave yellow patches and bare spots on lawns which means

there’s no better time to breathe new life into them.

In spring, the soil will start to warm up along with the outside temperature which allows grass seed to germinate faster.

With this in mind, Guy Johnson, of Johnsons Lawn Seed, has shared how gardeners can transform their grass for the perfect lawn this spring.

After mowing the lawn, gardeners may have noticed lots of thatch – that’s dead moss, old grass stems, and debris.

Scarifying lawns after mowing them is a “vital” step before gardeners can think about thickening lawns.

READ MORE: ‘Revive’ your white towels with ‘simple cupboard solution’

Guy said: “Scarifying, the process of pulling out dead material is vital before overseeding to thicken your lawn.

“Vigorous raking using a spring-tined rake will take care of small lawns, but for medium or large expanses of turf, a powered scarifier is vital.

“You’ll be amazed at the amount of thatch these machines pull out, and it can all be easily composted.”

Lawns can be heavily trodden and compacted after winter so will need aerating in order to allow air and water to penetrate deep into the root zone.

Don't miss... 'Proper' method for pruning 'most types' of roses for 'healthy' blooms [LATEST] 'Immediately' banish moss from lawns using 'simple' three-step method [INSIGHT] 'Recommended'

lawn care to start now for 'green and luscious' grass [ANALYSIS]

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You

can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Lawns around seating areas, barbecues and patios can be particularly prone to becoming compacted.

Aerating lawns is easy, it just takes the correct tools and a bit of time.

Guy explained: “Aerating is a fancy word for spiking a lawn, allowing air and water to penetrate deep into the root zone.

“Small lawns can be deeply spiked with a garden fork every 15cm (6in) apart, but if you garden on clay soil that is prone to waterlogging, use a hollow tine aerator every few years.

READ MORE: ‘Essential’ lawn care steps to achieve a ‘lush green lawn’ this spring

Looking for a new home, or just fancy a look? Add your postcode below or visit InYourArea

“Holes left by this handy machine should be filled with top-dressing (a mix of loam, sand, and organic

matter, available at garden centres), which encourages better rooting and thicker turf.”

Before overseeding, or sowing a new lawn, gardeners will need to consider what the garden is used for and what type of lawn would suit their needs best.

For example, those who have kids or pets may want to choose hard-wearing grass.

Those who want a deluxe lawn will want to choose a different type of lawn seed.

For lawns cast into the shade by trees and buildings, another type of lawn seed will be required.

A sparse lawn with bare patches will need to be banished with fast-germinating lawn seed.

To treat patches, use a garden fork to break the surface and rake the soil until it’s fine and even.

Then, sow fast-germinating lawn seed and lightly rake it into the soil surface and gently water. This process can be used on the entire lawn.

Guy said: “Spring months of April and May when it’s neither too hot nor too cold, are perfect months for starting new lawns from scratch.

“Preparing a good seed bed in your lawn is the key to success. Remove any debris and apply weedkiller or hand weed.

“A couple of weeks later, dig the site over, removing the roots of any perennial weeds. Rake the seed bed to a fine tilth, then leave for a fortnight.

“Once any further weeds have been removed, you can sow, rake in the seed, gently tread the area over to firm the seed in, then water.

“In good conditions, grass will start emerging in a week, with the lawn established in six to eight weeks’ time.”

See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.