Spring has finally sprung (well, almost) so as the days start getting longer and the weather starts getting milder, we can spend more time out in our gardens.
As we step into a new season and the weather begins to change, so do the needs of our gardens. This all begs the question: how exactly do you care for your lawn in the spring?
Assess the damage
The first step to take when stepping back out into your garden is to assess the damage caused by winter. Winter can be a rough time for your garden; depending on the weather and how much of your garden is shaded from the sun, your lawn may have been sitting in damp and dark conditions for months. Such dire conditions are a haven for waterlogging and, consequently, moss. Lack of sunlight can also cause grass to die, leaving your lawn patchy and in need of re-seeding.
As the weather warms up and your lawn starts to defrost, now is the perfect time to get out there and check things out. Hopefully your lawn has fared well over winter, but if it hasn’t, check out this handy blog post which can give you some advice on how to take care of your garden next winter and prevent damage over the colder months.
How to Keep Grass Healthy in Winter
Wait and prepare
Now that you’ve assessed the damage, now is the perfect time to start preparing to treat your lawn. That's right - preparing. Even though you may feel ready to step out into the ever-warming air and start refreshing your garden, it’s best to wait until later in the spring - preferably April - to take any actions like fertilising or reseeding your lawn. Sorry! You’re probably itching to get back out there and start repairing your lawn from the ravages of winter, but it’s really best to wait until later in the spring.
Why? In March, it’s common to experience what’s called a “false spring”; a period of warmer weather, followed by a sudden cold snap. False springs can actually be more harmful than they sound; they “trick” plants into thinking that spring has fully arrived, and they start to bloom before it’s safe. Then come the frigid temperatures again, all of a sudden, which can seriously damage young plants.
So, with the threat of a second cold snap looming, now is the time to take note of what treatments your lawn will need later in spring.
What can I do now?
If you’re eager to get back out into your garden but don’t want to risk causing further damage by treating your lawn too early in the season, there are a few things you can do to in March to help your lawn along.
- Rake up winter debris - Especially with the storms we’ve had in the UK recently, your lawn could potentially be filled with organic debris, like dead leaves and twigs. It’s best to act sooner rather than later - get out there and clear that debris away from your lawn! Having organic matter sitting on your lawn, especially if it's damp, can have detrimental effects on the health of your lawn. Such conditions are a haven for fungus and moss; clear it away and let your lawn breathe!
- Mow the lawn - If March is kind enough to grace us with a few days of agreeable weather that leaves your lawn dry and firm, you can dust off your lawn mower and take her out for the first spin of 2022! Remember, when giving your lawn its first cut of the season, don't take too much off; just take a little off the top.
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Spring can be a beautiful time of year, with a lot of the plants that have been sleeping all winter starting to bloom again, filling our gardens with a riot of colour against the backdrop of grey, drizzly skies.
If you’re looking for some expert advice on spring lawn care, look no further! Here at Lawn & Weed Expert, we’ve got a team of specialists ready to revive your lawn and keep it the best it can be. If you’re interested in finding out more about what kind of spring care services we offer, get in touch or check out the link down below to find out more about how we can help you care for your lawn.
Early Spring Lawn Treatment
