After months of wind, rain, frost and snow, your lawns are likely looking a little worse for wear.
Low light levels, excessive rainfall and low nutrients can cause lawns to become thin and brittle.
With this in mind, a lawn care expert has shared his tips for repairing lawns and preparing them for spring.
Peter Chaloner, managing director of Cobra lawnmowers, shared what to do if your lawn “appears thin, brittle, or damaged”.
The gardening expert suggested gardeners follow four simple “recovery” steps to ensure garden lawns are happy in the warmer months.
1. Limit foot traffic
Avoid walking or mowing until the grass is strong enough to withstand wear. Lawns should not be walked on when it’s frosty, as the blades of grass break.
Walking on lawns during frosts can cause brown patches to appear and weakened grass.
2. Encourage regrowth
Re-seed patchy areas and keep soil moist to stimulate recovery. However, grass seeds won’t germinate unless temperatures are around 8C to 10C.
3. Boost nutrients
Apply a spring fertiliser to support new growth. It’s best to choose a fertiliser that’s designed for colder weather, such as one that has less nitrogen and more potassium.
The potassium helps strengthen the grass, which will help it tackle frost, dampness and disease.
4. Improve drainage
Aerate compacted soil to improve water absorption. Aerating lawns allows air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the lawn, which contributes to healthy grass in spring.
“By implementing these essential spring lawn care practices, you can ensure your grass recovers from winter stress and thrives throughout the warmer months,” Mr Chaloner added.
