The recent spell of warm weather has initiated a flush of spring flowering bulbs with snow drops, crocus and daffodil coming into flower and providing a great display of colour in our parks and gardens. 

We are also seeing a fabulous display of magnolias and camelias at this time of the year. This much needed warm weather has also encouraged the grass to start growing with many people wanting to start looking after their lawns and gardens.

Spring sees the beginning of the mowing season with people undertaking their first cut of the year. 

March is also a good time to undertake lawn renovations with the aim of removing the thatch and moss that has accumulated during the winter months. This work usually involves the application of some lawn sand / iron sulphate that kills the moss, scarifying in several directions, top dressing with some sand and soil top dressing materials fertilising and overseeding.

With soil and air temperatures climbing into double figures, this will no doubt promote some growth, with the need to start your lawn mowing regimes. Hopefully you will have had your mowers serviced and sharpened for the new mowing season. 

This nice weather will have also encouraged and initiated the need to go out into the garden and begin the process of tidying up. 

As for the yearly maintenance of your lawn, it important you carry out the following practices.

Maintaining a decent lawn in the UK is mostly about consistency and working with the climate cool, wet, and sometimes very dry hot weather.

Mowing: frequency and height matter

• Cut once a week in spring/summer, less in autumn, rarely in winter 
• Keep grass at between 3–6 cm  (inch and half -two and half inches) for general use (shorter weakens it, longer gets patchy)
• Follow the “one-third rule”: never remove more than ⅓ of the blade at once
• Keep mower blades sharp—tearing grass invites disease 

Feeding (fertilising)

• Apply a spring/summer lawn feed (high nitrogen) around April–August 
• Switch to an autumn feed (higher potassium, lower nitrogen) around September–October 

Watering

Usually rainfall is enough, but during dry spells: 

• Water deeply but infrequently (once or twice a week)
•  Early morning is best to reduce evaporation and disease

Weed and moss control

Moss is common due to damp/shade: 

• Use a moss killer in spring or autumn
• Improve drainage and light (trim overhanging trees if possible) 

For weeds: 

• Spot-treat with a selective lawn weedkiller or hand-remove
• A thick, healthy lawn is your best defence

 Aeration

• Compacted, wet soil is common
• Use a garden fork or aerator to punch holes:
• Do this once a year (autumn ideally) 
• Helps drainage, root growth, and reduces moss 

Scarifying (de-thatching)

• Removes dead grass (thatch) that blocks water and nutrients
• Do it once / twice a year in spring or autumn 

Overseeding

After scarifying or if patches appear: 

• Spread grass seed and lightly rake in
• Best done in April–May or September 
• Keep moist until established 

Edging and general upkeep

• Trim edges every few weeks—this alone makes a lawn look “well kept”
• Remove leaves in autumn to prevent smothering

To greatly aid our turf professionals we are lucky to benefit from independent specialist outdoor powered machinery dealerships all across the UK that sell a wide range of tools – whilst also offering knowledgeable advice.

They will stock a plethora of battery powered mowers and hand tools to help us undertake the wide range of jobs to undertake at our facilities – and we are really spoilt for choice with vast range of manufacturers providing a staggering array of products for this market.

As discussed in my blog last week, the popularity of robotic mowers has snowballed in recent years, with most leading manufacturers now offering autonomous  options - especially now they have progressed to being guided by GPS and not reliant on a perimeter wire. I have tried several myself and found them to be a game changer for the domestic market -and they are clearly gathering momentum as another tool in the arsenal of pro users.

Let’s hope this nice spring weather continues and encourages you to get out and do all the jobs that require attention at this time of the year.  

And just a quick note to let you know that as next week it's Easter Monday, your next issue of TurfPro will be on April 13th.