Looking After Your Lawn This December

Here are the most important and practical tips for looking after your lawn in December, when the grass is largely dormant and the weather is cold, wet, and often frosty: 

🌱 Top Tips for Lawn Care in December

❄️ 1. Avoid Walking on Frosty or Waterlogged Grass 

• This is the number one December lawn rule. 
• Walking on frozen grass can snap the blades, leaving black footprints and long-lasting damage. 
• Walking on waterlogged grass leads to compaction, which causes moss and poor growth in spring. 

🚫 2. Stop Mowing (Unless It’s Mild) 

• Most lawns don’t need mowing now. 
• If the weather is unusually mild and the grass is still growing, you can do a very light trim with the mower set high. 
• Never mow when the grass is frozen or very wet. 

🍂 3. Keep the Lawn Clear of Leaves & Debris 

• Leaves block light and trap moisture, encouraging disease and moss.
• Gently rake or use a leaf blower once a week. 
• Compost the leaves or use them to make leaf mould.

❌ 4. Avoid Heavy Use 

• Try to reduce foot traffic, dog play, or wheelbarrow use on the lawn this month. 
• Lay stepping boards if you must cross the grass regularly. 

🧹 5. Tidy Edges and Borders 

• Neatening the edges makes the whole lawn look better through winter. 
• Light edge trimming is fine as long as the soil isn’t frozen. 

🌧️ 6. Improve Drainage if Needed 

If you regularly get puddles: 

• Spike compacted areas with a garden fork to improve air flow. 
• Brush in sharp sand if you want better drainage long-term. 

🛠️ 7. Clean & Service Your Mower 

• December is ideal for maintenance because the mower won’t be used for a while. 
• Get blades sharpened and the mower serviced now so it’s ready for spring. 

🌿 8. Prepare for Moss Control 

• Don’t apply moss killer in December — it’s too cold. 

But you can: 

• Remove excess shade (trim hedges/branches). 
• Improve airflow. 
• Mark areas that may need treatment in spring. 

💧 9. Keep an Eye on Lawn Edges Near Paths 

• Grass next to paths often suffers from salt, grit, and foot traffic.
• Brush grit back onto the path where possible and avoid over-salting.

🐦 10. Support Wildlife 

• Lawns still support worms, insects and birds in winter. 
• Avoid chemicals and leave a small corner a bit longer for wildlife cover.