In most gardens, the lawn brings all of the features together: whatever its size, a well-tended lawn is a great unifier. To maintain a healthy lawn, or to repair a lawn damaged from winter weather, follow the steps outlined below.

Mowing
It’s vital to cut your lawn regularly as it helps strengthen the grass. Don’t cut the lawn too short as this damages the grass blades and allows weeds to set in. Sharpen or replace the lawnmower blade when it shows signs of wear – or at least every mowing season.

Watering
How often you water the lawn depends, obviously, on the weather. Wilting grass is a clear sign that the lawn needs water, so check the grass often in hot, dry weather. It’s also important that the garden is watered after fertilising to ensure that the fertiliser seeps into the soil.

Fertilising
Apply fertiliser in March or April to revitalise the grass after the winter and prepare it for the growing season. Your lawn will then need fertilising every six to eight weeks during the growing season: cutting grass removes important nutrients which have to be replaced. There are a variety of different products which are easy to use and achieve good results.

Weed Control
The key to effective weed removal is to kill the weed from root to tip. Smaller weeds can be removed by hand and the more stubborn weeds can be removed with a weeding device. Ensure that you wear protective clothing if you decide to use weed control products.

Aerating
Using a garden fork or mechanical lawn spike to aerate the lawn allows surface water to drain into the soil and enables oxygen to reach the roots, ensuring healthy growth. Aerating your lawn reduces the growth of moss and ensures healthy looking grass.