When it comes to seasonal lawn care, January might seem like the time of year to sit back and leave your grass well alone.
Indeed, lawns don’t need the same regular care during winter as they do in summer, but much like in December, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do.
If you want “a healthy, green lawn all year round”, it’s important to keep on top of monthly lawn care, according to the gardening specialists at Boston Seeds.
At this time of year, it’s very common for lawns to get waterlogged so the pros list aerating as one of the top tasks to complete in January.
They said: “Aeration can help with drainage and with loosening compact ground. This all contributes to greener and healthier than ever lawns over winter.
“Just as summer lawn care involves regular mowing and weed control, winter aeration is crucial for maintaining lawn health.”
The experts claimed that it’s a five-minute task that you can do with a garden fork.
Make sure your fork is sharp so that it makes it easier to get in and out in real quick time.
Push the fork into the surface of the lawn as far as it will go and ease back to create slightly angled holes.
Repeat this process across the whole area. Repeat if necessary in any particularly compact or waterlogged areas.
While it may come as a surprise to gardeners, the experts noted that you can mow the lawn in January, but only if the conditions allow.
They explained: “Yes you can mow your lawn in January. However, there are a few things to be aware of. Firstly, don’t cut your lawn when the ground is wet.
“Wet soil will compact when you step on it, and this makes it harder for important nutrients to circulate the grass seed. This will hinder grass growth.
“Secondly, don’t cut the grass too short. You should leave at least two-thirds of the grass so that the blades can take enough energy from the limited winter sunshine.”
You may need to raise your mower blades to achieve a suitable cutting height.
