Lawn Care for the Month of March: The First Steps to a Beautiful Lawn

As the sun comes out and we start to shake off the winter chill, it's time to give your lawn a little love and attention to prepare it for the vibrant growth of spring. March is the perfect month to begin your lawn care routine—after all, a healthy, thriving lawn is the foundation for a beautiful garden. But remember that the unpredictable British weather means it might be necessary to to take your time and be mindful of any frosty spells.

Key Tasks for March Lawn Care:

1. Remove any debris from the winter First things first, take a good look at your lawn. After the winter winds and rain, it might be a bit cluttered with leaves, twigs, and other debris. Grab your rake and clear everything from the lawn—this will allow your grass to breathe and grow without any obstructions. Plus, clearing the debris helps prevent mould and fungal issues from developing over time.

2. Mow at a Higher Setting You’re probably itching to grab your mower and get things looking tidy, but hold off a little. The goal at this stage is to mow your lawn at a higher setting than usual. This will encourage your grass to grow gradually without stressing it out. Don’t go too low—your grass needs all the protection it can get as it comes out of dormancy.

3. Weed Control Weeds are sneaky little things, and they love to make an early appearance in spring. Keep an eye out for any that might be starting to show themselves, particularly dandelions or other early-blooming invaders. Hand-pulling can keep them in check before they take over.

4. Moss Control Moss can be a big issue for many lawns, especially in damp conditions. If your lawn is prone to moss, March is a good time to rake it out manually. Use a rake with metal tines or a dethatching rake to pull up the moss.  Do this when the moss is dry, as it’s easier to remove. This helps clear away the moss and gives your grass a better chance to grow in its place.

5. Aeration: Let Your Lawn Breathe Aerating your lawn is one of the best things you can do for it in March. Over the winter months, your lawn can become compacted, which makes it harder for water, air, and nutrients to reach the roots. Aeration creates small holes in the soil, allowing everything to penetrate more easily and promoting stronger root growth. You can use a manual or motorised aerator to do this.

6. Scarification: Give Your Lawn a Fresh Start If your lawn has a thatch buildup (a layer of dead grass and organic matter), scarification will help remove it. This process involves using a scarifier to pull up thatch, moss, and other debris, which can block air, water, and nutrients from reaching the roots. After scarifying, your lawn will have a much better chance of growing strong and lush. It’s a great way to give it a fresh start for the new season.

7. Spring Lawn Feed Once the weather warms up a little more and the soil has started to thaw, it's time to give your lawn a nutrient boost. Look for a spring lawn feed or organic fertiliser that’s designed to kickstart healthy growth. 

8. Overseeding (Optional) If your lawn has any bare patches or is looking a little thin in places, overseeding is a great way to fill it in. You’ll want to wait until late March or even early April when the soil is warmer and the frost risk is lower. Simply scatter the grass seed over the bare patches and water it in—soon enough, those patches will be filled with fresh, green grass.

Important Things to Remember:

Check the Weather: The weather is a big factor in your lawn care routine. If frost is still on the cards, wait before applying any treatments like fertilisers or seeding. You don’t want your efforts to go to waste because the ground’s still too cold for everything to take hold.

Take a Gradual Approach: Don’t rush things. Start with gentle lawn care tasks like removing debris and mowing, then move on to scarification and aeration when the conditions are right. Give your lawn the best chance to thrive by taking a gradual, thoughtful approach.

Keep an Eye Out for Pests and Diseases: Spring can bring all sorts of garden challenges. Check your lawn regularly for any signs of pests or diseases. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, take action sooner rather than later to prevent bigger issues down the road.

A Beautiful Lawn

With just a little effort, your lawn will soon be ready to shine all through the spring and summer. Whether you're caring for a classic grass lawn or you're planning to add some wildflowers for a more natural touch, the steps you take now will set the stage for healthy growth. And remember, we’ve got all the wildflower seed (mixtures and individual species) and grass seed you’ll need for your next project, whether it’s creating a wildlife-friendly space or overseeding your family lawn. 

Start with these tasks, and you'll be well on your way to a lush, vibrant lawn that will thrive throughout the growing season.