Maintaining a beautiful lawn isn’t about doing one big job and putting your feet up for the rest of the year (though we wish it were). A truly lush, green lawn is the result of consistent, seasonal care — little and often, just like your nan’s advice for tea and biscuits.
To help you keep on top of things, here’s a clear and simple UK lawn treatment calendar. Follow this through the seasons and your grass will stay greener, healthier, and ready to show off year-round.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is your lawn’s wake-up call. After winter’s cold and sogginess, it needs a bit of TLC to get going again.
- Mowing: Start mowing once the grass begins growing. Set your mower blades high for the first few cuts, then gradually reduce the height.
- Aeration: Use a fork or SpikeMat to relieve compacted soil and improve root growth.
- Scarifying: Lightly rake out moss and thatch to allow sunlight and nutrients in.
- Feeding: Apply a nitrogen-rich spring fertiliser to kickstart healthy green growth.
- Weed control: Spot-treat weeds early before they take over.
- Overseeding: Patch up any bare or thin areas caused by winter wear and tear.
Top tip: Spring is also a great time to test your soil’s pH and plan longer-term improvements.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is when your lawn does most of its growing — and most of its showing-off. Keep it looking its best while protecting it from stress.
- Mowing: Mow regularly, but keep the blade height slightly higher to prevent stress and browning.
- Watering: Water deeply and infrequently. Early morning is best to avoid evaporation and fungal issues.
- Feeding: Apply a summer fertiliser — one with lower nitrogen to avoid pushing too much soft growth in the heat.
- Pest watch: Keep an eye out for leatherjackets and chafer grubs, which can damage grass roots.
- Traffic care: Avoid heavy wear in dry conditions, especially on high-traffic areas.
Top tip: Don’t panic if the lawn turns a bit brown in hot spells — it usually recovers once the rains return.
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn is all about recovery and preparation. You’re setting your lawn up for winter survival and spring success.
- Scarifying: This is the best time for a more thorough scarify to remove built-up moss and thatch.
- Aeration: Especially important if your lawn gets heavy use or is prone to waterlogging.
- Feeding: Apply an autumn fertiliser — lower in nitrogen, higher in potassium and phosphorus to strengthen roots and improve resilience.
- Overseeding: A fantastic time to reseed. The soil is warm and rain is more frequent — perfect conditions for germination.
- Leaf clearing: Keep leaves off the grass to avoid fungal issues and reduce suffocation of the turf.
Top tip: Keep mowing while the grass is still growing, but raise the cutting height gradually as temperatures drop.
Winter (December to February)
It’s downtime for your lawn — and for you, thankfully. But that doesn’t mean you can ignore it entirely.
- Avoid walking on frosty or waterlogged grass: It can damage the blades and compact the soil.
- Clear debris: Remove leaves, sticks, and anything else that might sit on the grass and smother it.
- Plan ahead: Winter is a great time to research products, sharpen tools, and plan next season’s strategy (preferably indoors with a cuppa).
Top tip: Don’t apply fertilisers or weed treatments during winter — they’ll do more harm than good in the cold.
Year-Round Lawn Success
By tuning into what your lawn needs each season, you’ll avoid that endless cycle of problems and repairs. Instead, you’ll build a robust, beautiful lawn that thrives in all weather — and makes the neighbours just a bit jealous.
Stick this calendar somewhere handy, bookmark it, or print it out and stick it in the shed. Then let the seasons guide your lawn care — and enjoy the view from your deckchair every month of the year.
