The Perfect Lawn: A Complete Guide
A beautiful lawn is one of the most rewarding features a garden can have. It takes consistent care rather than intensive effort — the right actions at the right time of year make all the difference.
Soil Preparation
Before sowing or laying turf, the soil must be properly prepared. Remove all perennial weeds, then dig or rotovate to a depth of 15–20cm. Rake to a fine tilth, removing stones and large clods. If the soil is heavy clay, incorporate sharp sand and organic matter to improve drainage. Allow the ground to settle for two weeks before sowing or turfing.
Sowing or Turfing
Seed is cheaper and gives you more choice of grass mix, but takes longer to establish. Sow in early autumn (September–October) or spring (March–April) when the soil is warm and moist. Use a seed rate of 35g per square metre and keep the area moist until germination. Turf can be laid year-round except in frozen or waterlogged conditions. Lay in a brick-bond pattern, butt edges tightly together and water thoroughly after laying.
Mowing
Begin mowing in spring when grass reaches 5cm, setting the blade high (4–5cm) for the first few cuts. Gradually lower to your preferred height — 2.5–4cm for a family lawn, 1–2cm for a fine ornamental lawn. Never remove more than a third of the grass blade in a single cut. Mow regularly throughout the growing season, reducing frequency in late summer and stopping in autumn when growth slows.
Feeding
Apply a high-nitrogen spring/summer feed in April to promote lush green growth. Switch to a low-nitrogen, high-potassium autumn feed in September to harden the grass before winter. Avoid feeding in drought conditions or when frost is forecast. Liquid feeds act quickly; granular feeds are slower but longer-lasting.
Scarifying and Aerating
Scarify in autumn to remove the thatch — the layer of dead grass and debris that accumulates at the base of the sward. Use a spring-tine rake or mechanical scarifier. Aerate compacted lawns in autumn by spiking with a garden fork or hollow-tine aerator. Brush sharp sand into the holes to improve drainage and encourage deeper rooting.
Weed and Moss Control
A healthy, well-fed lawn will naturally suppress most weeds. For persistent broadleaf weeds, use a selective lawn weedkiller in spring or early summer. Moss is a sign of poor drainage, shade, compaction or low fertility — address the underlying cause rather than simply treating the symptom. Iron sulphate will blacken and kill moss, but it will return unless conditions improve.