Spring Lawn Care UK

Spring is the most important season for your lawn. What you do in March, April and May determines whether you’ll spend summer enjoying a thick green carpet or battling weeds, moss and bare patches.

The good news? Spring lawn care isn’t complicated. A few well-timed tasks make all the difference, and most take less than an hour. Here’s your month-by-month guide to getting it right.

March: The Wake-Up Call

March is when your lawn starts stirring after winter dormancy. The grass isn’t growing vigorously yet, but it’s waking up – and so are the weeds and moss that want to colonise it.

Clear the debris

Winter leaves behind a mess – fallen leaves, twigs, worm casts, and general debris. This stuff smothers grass and creates perfect conditions for disease. Grab a spring-tine rake and give the whole lawn a good going-over.

This light raking also lifts any grass that’s been flattened by snow or frost, helps air circulate, and removes the first flush of dead moss. Don’t be too aggressive – the grass is still fragile. You’re tidying, not scarifying.

First mow of the year

Wait until the grass is actively growing – usually when daytime temperatures consistently hit 8-10°C. In southern England, this might be mid-March. Further north, late March or early April is more realistic.

For that first cut, set your mower as high as it goes. You’re just taking the tips off, not giving it a close shave. Cutting too short now stresses the grass when it’s still vulnerable. Aim to remove no more than the top third of the grass blade.

Tip: Make sure your mower blades are sharp. Blunt blades tear rather than cut, leaving ragged edges that turn brown and invite disease.

Assess the damage

Now’s the time to really look at your lawn. Walk it slowly and note what you’re dealing with:

– Moss patches (soft, green, spongy)
– Bare or thin areas
– Waterlogged spots that never seem to dry
– Compacted areas (usually near paths or play equipment)
– Early weeds establishing

This assessment shapes your spring plan. Heavy moss? You’ll need treatment before anything else. Bare patches? Plan to overseed in April. Compacted areas? Consider aerating.

April: The Treatment Month

April is when you tackle problems and set your lawn up for the growing season. The soil is warming, grass is growing steadily, and conditions are ideal for treatments to work.

Apply spring feed

Your lawn has been living on reserves all winter. By April, it’s hungry. A spring feed high in nitrogen kickstarts growth and gives grass the energy to thicken up and outcompete weeds.

For most lawns, a combined treatment works best – one that feeds the grass, kills moss, and tackles broadleaf weeds all in one application. This saves time and hits everything while conditions are ideal.

When exactly? Wait for a day when rain is forecast within 24-48 hours, or be prepared to water the feed in yourself. Apply when the grass is dry but the soil is moist.

Deal with moss

If moss has taken hold over winter, now’s the time to hit it hard. Moss killer containing iron sulphate works quickly – you’ll see the moss turn black within days.

Wait about two weeks after treatment, then rake out the dead moss. This creates bare patches, which is fine – we’ll deal with those next.

Important: Don’t skip the raking. Dead moss left on the lawn creates a barrier that stops water and nutrients reaching the soil. It has to come out.

Overseed bare patches

Once you’ve raked out dead moss (or if you have bare patches from winter damage), mid to late April is perfect for overseeding. The soil is warm enough for germination, and spring showers provide natural irrigation.

Prepare bare areas by loosening the top centimetre of soil with a rake. Scatter seed, rake lightly to cover, and keep moist until germination. Most grass seed germinates in 7-14 days in spring conditions.

If you’ve used a feed-and-weed product, check the label before overseeding. Most require you to wait 4-6 weeks before sowing seed, as the weedkiller can affect germination.

May: Building Momentum

By May, your lawn should be growing strongly. This is maintenance month – keeping on top of mowing and addressing any issues that have emerged.

Regular mowing begins

Growth accelerates through May, and you’ll probably need to mow weekly – possibly twice weekly by the end of the month. Gradually lower your cutting height over several mows until you reach your preferred summer height (typically 3-4cm for a neat lawn, higher if you prefer a more relaxed look).

Remember the one-third rule: never remove more than one-third of the grass height in a single cut. If the grass has got away from you, bring it down gradually over two or three mows.

Spot-treat persistent weeds

If weeds survived your April treatment, or new ones have appeared, spot-treat them now before they flower and set seed. A selective weedkiller applied directly to problem plants works without affecting surrounding grass.

Common spring weeds include dandelions (bright yellow flowers), clover (white or pink flowers, spreads quickly), and plantain (broad leaves, survives mowing). Catch them before they seed and you’ll have far fewer next year.

Check new grass

Seed sown in April should be well established by late May. Once it’s been mowed a couple of times, it can be treated as part of the regular lawn. If germination was patchy, you can overseed again – there’s still time before summer heat arrives.

Spring Lawn Care Mistakes to Avoid

X Mowing too early or too short – stresses grass that’s still recovering from winter
X Fertilising frozen or waterlogged ground – nutrients wash away or sit inactive
X Scarifying in early spring – too aggressive when grass is weak; wait until autumn
X Ignoring moss – it doesn’t go away on its own and will spread all season
X Overseeding onto weedy lawn – new grass can’t compete; treat weeds first

The Spring Lawn Care Checklist

March:

– Rake debris and fallen leaves
– First mow (high setting, just the tips)
– Assess lawn condition and plan treatments

April:

– Apply spring feed/treatment
– Treat moss if present
– Rake out dead moss after 2 weeks
– Overseed bare patches

May:

– Regular mowing (weekly or more)
– Gradually lower cutting height
– Spot-treat remaining weeds
– Water new grass if dry

For a complete month-by-month breakdown of tasks throughout the year, see our lawn care calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start spring lawn care?

Begin when you see the grass actively growing – usually mid-March in southern England, late March or April further north. Start with light raking and your first mow, then move on to feeding and treatments once growth is established.

Can I scarify in spring?

Light raking to remove debris is fine, but heavy scarifying is best left until autumn. Spring grass is still recovering from winter and vigorous scarifying can cause more damage than good. Save it for September.

How soon after feeding can I mow?

Wait until the feed has been watered in (by rain or irrigation) and the grass is dry – usually 24-48 hours. This gives granules time to dissolve and move into the soil.

What if it’s too cold for grass seed?

Grass seed needs soil temperatures of at least 8-10°C to germinate reliably. If April is cold, wait until conditions improve – late April or early May still gives plenty of time for establishment before summer.

Should I water my lawn in spring?

Established lawns rarely need watering in spring – UK rainfall is usually sufficient. The exception is newly sown grass seed, which needs consistent moisture until germination. Water daily (or twice daily in warm weather) until seedlings are established.

For more seasonal guides and lawn care advice, visit our UK lawn care guide.

Ready to give your lawn the spring boost it needs? Our Spring Lawn Treatment combines feeding, moss control and weed treatment in one easy application. Just scatter by hand and water in – your lawn does the rest.