Lawn Care Calendar

Plant your Christmas tree outside

If you bought a rooted or potted tree this year and are planning on throwing it away, think again. You can always try to re-plant your old Christmas tree (if you have the room) and it’s possible it will live to see another year!

Brush off snow

Tree branches and shrubs/bushes will become damaged if left covered in snow. Take the time to remove the white sheet to help keep them healthy.

Check Fencing

January can be known for high and strong winds, so you should ensure anything that’s ‘loose’ in your garden is secure. Fence posts and panels particularly, and things like young trees and climbing plants should be staked and fastened into place to prevent breakages.

Wait for spring

January is a quiet month in the lawn care calendar. There is relatively little you can do, because the weather conditions do not benefit productive lawn care – so put your feet up.

For more in depth tips for January read our full jobs to do in January article here

Check your gardening equipment

February is probably a good month to start thinking about your lawn, and what needs to be done. Have a quick check of your lawn mower and other garden equipment, to ensure that it’s in good working condition. Start up any mechanical tools to make sure that they still work and haven’t been affected by the winter cold. This is also a good opportunity in the year to clear and tidy out your greenhouse / shed.

Sharpen your lawn mower blades

Check that your lawnmower blade is sharp, and that you have enough trimming line for your grass trimmer. If not, genuine spares and accessories can be purchased here.

Cut your hedges

It is important to remember to avoid cutting your hedges between March to august - the peak season for nesting birds. If you want to learn more about this read our article here.

Growing your garden

February is the perfect time to order your summer bulbs (such as lilies and gladioli) to avoid disappointment. Now is a good time to start pruning your roses also.

For more in depth tips for February read our full jobs to do in February article here

As the ground warms up and your grass starts growing again, spring is the ideal time to sow new seed, scarify your lawn and gradually recover the perfect lawn you had last summer.

Make the first cut of the new year

Make sure the grass is dry and that you make the first cut of the grass on the highest cutting height. Never cut more than a third of the grass blade off in one go to avoid over stressing the grass. Cutting the grass before scarifying will also help loosen any thick patches of thatch, making it easier to remove thatch when you scarify the lawn.

Gradually reduce the cutting height

Gradually reduce the cutting height throughout the month and the beginning of the next, until you reach your preferred grass height.

Use moss and weed killer

Lay any weed or moss killer on your lawn where needed to make removal easier later on. Consider adding a spring fertiliser to the lawn to help rejuvenate it and promote fresh growth. Read our article for more information on how to remove moss

Edging

Its time to get your grass trimmers out and add those neat touches to the edges of your lawn. Grass trimmers are a great easy way to keep your garden looking neat and tidy all year round- if you need some tips on cutting right up to the edges of your lawn then look no further.

TOP TIP

Remember: never remove moss without killing it first. If it’s scarified before its dead, you will spread moss that can regrow across your lawn. Read about our top 7 scarifying tips here.

Scarify your lawn

As the weather gets a little warmer and moisture is still present in the soil, the grass will start growing again. This is the ideal time of year to scarify your lawn, removing any excess thatch and moss.

Sow new seed

Sow some additional grass seed to any bare patches of the lawn. If you are planning on growing grass in areas of the garden that have lots of shade, consider using a seed specifically designed for this purpose. This is readily available in most good retailers and garden centres.

Patio and decking cleaning

Its easy to neglect our decking over the winter months when its not in use. Now is the perfect time to clean your patio and decking, getting rid of any areas of moss and debris using a blower/vac and a pressure washer. Ready for having guests over for those summer BBQ's!

Mow in lawn stripes

Now that your lawn is the right height, this is the perfect time to add stripes to your lawn if you want them. Use a lawn mower with a rear roller to do this such as the EasiStore 340R to achieve this. More tips on lawn stripes cn be found in our how to add stripes article

Lawn Care

Keep in mind that grass thrives best when it's cut about 1/3 of its length at any time, so mow the lawn at regular intervals. Robotic mowers do the hard work for you and mow little and often, so you don’t have to worry about when to cut the grass.

Aerate your lawn

A lawn thrives best when it’s aerated to be dense and fine. Aerating helps to oxygenate the grass and improve drainage; water and nutrients penetrate to the roots and the grass grows more shoots. Do not do this too early as you risk damaging the grass while it’s sensitive, but wait until the grass has come to life and you have mowed a couple of times. If you have a robotic lawnmower, remember to mark where the guide cable is located to avoid boundary wire breakage.

Planting

Now is the best time to plant new trees and bushes.

Through the warm summer months, it is important that your lawn stays hydrated. As the heat increases, allow the grass to grow a little longer to protect the soil from drying out.

Mow more often

The grass is growing at its fastest rate, meaning that you may have to mow your lawn once or twice a week.

Water the lawn in hot weather

In warm, dry weather ensure that you water deeply and occasionally. This will encourage the grass to root deeply, giving it a healthier appearance. It is also a more efficient way to water the lawn than watering a little daily as less water is lost via evaporation. Don't forget to also water newly planted bushes and trees!

Hedges and Bushes

Prune a spruce hedge during June or July. Now is the perfect time to do some topiary on your hedges. Use a string to help you create a very straight hedge. Fertilise bushes and perennials a second time toward the end of June.

Lawn care

Continue to care for your lawn as you did in June. If you are going away, make arrangements for someone to look after your lawn, flowers and other areas of your garden while you are away.

Don't forget watering and make sure your new plantings don't dry out. Start watering when the grass changes to dark green to avoid a dried out lawn. If it's been a very dry start of the summer, it is a good idea to water a little extra if possible. Water preferably in the morning so that there is less evaporation and avoid watering in short periods that will cause superficial roots.

Summer is the best time of year to host garden parties, from the classic summer buffet to the fun family BBQ. But with so many activities on the social calendar, your summer lawn care can easily take a back seat until it is too late to recover. Ensure you keep on top of your garden by reading our handy article: How to look after your lawn during the summer