How to Grow a Lush Green Lawn in the UK

A lush, green lawn is the centrepiece of any garden, providing a soft, beautiful space for relaxation and play. To help you achieve a healthy lawn in the UK, we've provided some expert tips on mowing, watering, feeding, and dealing with common lawn issues below.

Regular Mowing for a Healthier Lawn

Regular mowing encourages dense, healthy grass growth that can prevent weeds by stopping weed seeds from getting the sunlight they need to grow. During the grass growing season from Spring to early Autumn, mow your lawn at least every couple of weeks. Ensure your mower blades are sharp to make clean cuts, promoting healthier grass. It's also a good idea to adjust the cutting height in Summer, to leave the grass around 5-10 cm tall and avoid drought stress.

It's best to avoid mowing when the grass is wet, as this can lead to uneven cutting and soil compaction, which may help moss develop. Mowing the grass too short (below 5 cm) can also be a mistake, as it encourages moss growth which can inhibit the development of new grass.

Feeding Your Lawn

Feeding your lawn with an organic fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro will usually bring about noticeable improvement to the appearance of the lawn within a couple of weeks. Doing this twice a year in Spring and mid-Summer can be a good approach. Applying the fertiliser before rain is forecast works well, as this helps it drain down into the roots of the lawn more quickly. Many fertilisers will also be combined with moss killer and other compounds that can benefit your lawn.

If your lawn is large, you may find it helpful to use a fertiliser spreader. These are usually small troughs on wheels with holes at the base, which can be rolled across the lawn to spread fertiliser evenly.

Watering Your Lawn

If your lawn was laid recently, watering 2-3 times a week is a good idea until the lawn has rooted. It's best to water a lawn early in the morning while temperatures are cool, to minimise evaporation and allow water to drain into the soil. Established lawns usually only need watering during extended periods of drought in hot summers.

When watering, it's important to avoid causing waterlogging, as this can lead to disease.

When to Scarify a Lawn

Scarifying is done to remove thatch and moss that builds up on lawns over time. This buildup prevents air and nutrients reaching the soil, which can inhibit growth of new grass. The best time to scarify your lawn in the UK is early spring (March-April) or early autumn (September-October) before frost sets in. April and May tend to be particularly good months, because temperatures are cool and grass is growing strongly.

Start off by mowing the lawn to remove short grass, and then you can use a lawn scarifier (either a manual rake or powered scarifier) to pull up thatch and moss. Scarifying in two directions can work well for thorough coverage - initially in one direction across the lawn and then in the orthogonal direction at right angles. After scarifying, your grass will be in the perfect state for lawn feed and new seed.

How to Aerate a Lawn

Lawn aeration helps relieve soil compaction, allowing water and nutrients to reach the roots. Aeration is done by poking small holes in the soil to improve air circulation.

Aerating is straightforward and can be done with a garden fork or aerator device - these can usually be rolled across the lawn to poke holes. Once the holes have been poked into the soil, you can leave them open and let the air work it's magic on your lawn. Aerating in spring and autumn when grass is growing and temperatures are cool usually gives the best results.

A good approach can be to scarify to remove thatch, aerate a couple of weeks afterwards to allow air and nutrients to reach the soil, and then follow up with overseeding and fertilisation.

Overseeding to Thicken a Lawn

Overseeding helps fill in bare patches and improve lawn density. The best time to overseed in the UK is spring (March-May) or early autumn (September-October) when soil conditions are ideal.

• Mow and Scarify: Cut the grass short and remove thatch to help seeds reach the soil.
• Aerate if Needed: Improve drainage and root growth by aerating compacted areas.
• Spread Grass Seed: Use 25g per square metre and rake lightly to mix with the soil.
• Water Regularly: Keep the area moist for 2-3 weeks until germination.
• Avoid Mowing Too Soon: Wait until new grass reaches 7-8 cm before the first mow.

Overseeding combined with regular feeding will create a thicker, healthier lawn over time.

How to Get Rid of Moss in a Lawn

If you find moss is affecting your lawn, it can be combated by improving drainage, aerating the lawn, and applying moss killer. Here are some steps to help avoid moss in your lawn:

• Apply a Moss Killer: The best time to apply moss killer to a lawn in the UK is in early spring or autumn when conditions are cool and damp, and the grass is actively growing. Moss should turn black approximately 7 - 14 days after the moss killer has been applied and then will be ready for you to remove.
• Scarify the Lawn: Once the moss has turned black and died, scarifying can help remove remaining dead moss.
• Aerate and Drain: If moss keeps returning, your lawn may be too compacted. Using a garden fork to poke holes in the soil can help aerate it, allowing air and nutrients in.
• Adjust Mowing Practises: Ensure your grass is kept to the right height and not cut too short - a height of at least 4 - 5 cm helps prevent moss growth. Avoid compacting grass by mowing when it is wet, as this can encourage moss growth.
• Reduce Shade and Moisture: If your lawn is shaded, you may find it beneficial to cut overhanging trees and bushes, allowing more sunlight to the lawn.

Dealing with Lawn Pests & Weeds

There are several common pests for UK lawns, including clover, ants and weeds:

• How to Get Rid of Clover in a Lawn: Clovers can be dealt with using a selective lawn weed killer or by manually removing clover patches.
• How to Get Rid of Lesser Celandine in a Lawn: Lesser Celandine can be a stubborn weed and is best targeted through through manual removal of patches, selective weed killers containing MCPA (such as Resolva) and a higher mow height (~3 inches) to help the grass outcompete it.
• How to Get Rid of an Ants’ Nest in a Lawn UK: Boiling water, diatomaceous earth, or nematodes can help control ant colonies.
• How to Get Rid of a Lawn Full of Weeds: Regular mowing, feeding, and the use of selective herbicides will help maintain a weed-free lawn.

Lawn Maintenance FAQs

• Can you mow wet grass? It’s not recommended, as wet grass can clog the mower and result in uneven cuts.
• How long does it take for grass seed to grow? Usually 2-3 weeks for initial germination, with full coverage taking a few months.
• When not to cut grass? Avoid mowing during droughts, heavy frost, or when the ground is waterlogged.
• How to protect your lawn from pests? Keep your lawn healthy by mowing at the right height (~ 3 inches), watering deeply, aerating and overseeding, and fertilizing.
• When not to cut grass? It's best to avoid cutting when the grass is too wet, during droughts/extreme heat or within the 24-48 hours after fertilising your lawn.

Conclusion

By following these lawn care practices, you can achieve a thick, green lawn that enhances your garden year-round. Regular maintenance, proper mowing, and timely treatments will keep your lawn looking its best.