Looking After Your Lawn This March

Rake Up Winter Debris 

• Clear leaves and debris: After winter, your lawn may be covered with fallen leaves, twigs, and moss. Use a rake or a lawn dethatcher to remove dead material. This will help improve airflow to the grass and prevent fungal diseases. 

Check for Lawn Damage 

• Inspect for damage: Look for any signs of lawn damage from winter conditions, such as areas of dead grass or moss. These can be repaired later with reseeding or spot treatments. 

Aerate the Lawn 

• Aeration: If the soil is not too wet or frozen, it’s a good time to aerate your lawn. Use a garden fork or a lawn aerator to create small holes in the ground, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil and reach the roots more effectively. 

Moss Control 

• Moss removal: March is a good time to treat moss in your lawn, especially after raking up the debris. Use a moss killer or a product that contains iron sulfate, which helps kill off moss and improve grass growth. 

Feed the Lawn 

• Fertilise: Apply a spring lawn fertiliser to encourage growth as the weather warms up. Look for a fertiliser that’s high in nitrogen to support the green-up process. If you have a moss problem, consider a feed that also targets moss control. 
• Organic options: For a more eco-friendly approach, use organic lawn food or compost. These will help improve soil health while feeding your lawn. 

Reseed Bare Patches 

• Repair bare patches: If you have areas of your lawn that are patchy or have dead spots, March is a great time to overseed. Rake the area lightly, sprinkle new grass seed over the patch, and gently press it into the soil. Water regularly to help the seeds establish. 

Control Weeds 

• Weed treatment: Apply a selective weed killer or weed and feed product to tackle early weeds in the lawn. However, make sure to read the instructions carefully and avoid using weed killers when the weather is too cold or wet. 
• Spot treatment: For stubborn weeds, spot treat them with a more targeted weed killer to avoid harming surrounding grass. 

Mow the Lawn 

• First mow of the year: As the grass begins to grow, it’s time to mow your lawn for the first time of the season. Set the mower blade to a higher setting at first, as the grass is still growing and might be fragile. Avoid cutting too short, as this can stress the grass. 
• Regular mowing: As the weather warms up, mow regularly to keep the grass healthy and encourage strong growth. Aim to cut about a third of the grass blade length at a time. 

Keep Off Wet Grass 

• Avoid heavy foot traffic: March can still be a wet month, so avoid walking on your lawn when it’s damp or saturated with water. This can compact the soil and damage the grass. 

By following these steps in March, you’ll help your lawn recover from winter, encourage healthy growth, and set it up for a lush, green summer. 🌱🌷