Looking After Your Lawn This May

Looking after your lawn in May is all about setting it up for a lush, green summer. With longer days, warmer tempatures, and a good mix of sun and rain, grass really takes off this month. Here are your top lawn care tips:

🌱 1. Mow regularly—but don’t scalp it 

• Mow once or twice a week depending on growth. 

• Keep the mower blades high at the start of May, then gradually lower as the month goes on. 

• Aim to cut only one-third of the grass height at a time to avoid stressing it. 

🌿 2. Feed the lawn 

• Use a spring/summer lawn feed high in nitrogen to boost green growth. 

• Apply after rain or water it in well. 

• Avoid feeding just before a dry spell unless you can water it in properly. 

🌧️ 3. Water if it’s dry 

• Most lawns don’t need much watering in May, but if we get an early dry spell, give it a deep soak once a week. 

• Water early morning or evening to reduce evaporation. 

🍃 4. Remove weeds 

• Dig out dandelions, daisies, and plantains by hand or use a selective lawn weedkiller. 

• Try to deal with them now before they flower and spread seed. 

🌾 5. Overseed patchy areas 

• Rake out dead grass, scatter lawn seed, and lightly rake in. 

• Keep moist until it establishes (usually 2–3 weeks). 

• May is a perfect time for this—warm soil and regular rain help it take. 

⚒️ 6. Scarify lightly if needed 

• If you didn’t scarify in early spring and your lawn is still very thatchy, you can do a light scarify now. 

• Too much raking now can stress the grass as it’s growing fast—go gently! 

🧽 7. Aerate compacted areas 

• Use a garden fork or aerator to spike the lawn in heavy or waterlogged areas. 

• Improves drainage and lets roots breathe. 

🐜 8. Keep an eye out for pests 

• Look for signs of leatherjackets (crane fly larvae) or chafer grubs—like birds pecking the lawn or yellow patches. 

• If there’s a real problem, you can treat with nematodes later in summer (but now’s a good time to observe). 

🌼 9. Edge the lawn 

• Neaten up lawn edges with a half-moon edger or spade. 

• Clean edges make a massive difference visually and help prevent grass creeping into borders. 

🐝 10. Go a little wild (optional!) 

• Consider leaving a patch of lawn to grow longer to help pollinators—“No Mow May” is a real thing! 

• Even a small wild patch can support bees and butterflies.