Expert lawn care calendar UK – essential monthly maintenance to ensure the healthiest grass possible

Lawns do not come without fairly substantial maintenance. But performing the right lawn care jobs can help strengthen grass and boost its ability to cope with the weather shifts over the course of a year.

This lawn care calendar breaks down exactly what tasks should be performed throughout the year and when to make it easier to keep track of these jobs.

Starting in January right the way to the end of December, lawn care experts have shared what jobs to do and when.

January lawn care jobs

January is the least busy month in your lawn care calendar. It's a dark and cold month for the most part and the lawn will be in a very slow growth phase.

• Protect the grass: Graham Smith MCIHort, a gardening expert from LBS Horticulture advises that during this month, you should avoid walking on your lawn, as walking over frosty grass can cause compaction. "The grass blades can become bruised, which allows frost in and turns them brown," he says.
• Check for moss: Lawn care expert Julie Blades, Global Product Manager for Flymo adds that you can check for moss growth and apply iron sulfate if needed to keep it under control.
• Prep your tools: "You can also take the opportunity in January to clean and sharpen your gardening equipment to ensure they are ready for the months ahead," says Julie.
• Plan your lawn care: As the year winds down, Amanda Kincaid, STIGA UK suggests now is a good time to take a moment to reflect on your lawn care routine. "Consider what went well and what could be improved in the upcoming year. Making notes and planning ahead now will set you up for success when spring arrives, and you'll have a head start in achieving a healthier lawn next season," says Amanda.

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Amanda Kincaid

Amanda Kincaid has been the Marketing Manager for STIGA Ltd in the UK for over 9 years. 

February lawn care jobs

Though a cold and gloomy month, signs of spring might be edging in. Longer days and random days of sunshine and warm temperatures you may even notice that your lawn is starting to pick up. Don't jump the gun however, it's not time to get stuck in just yet.

• Keep an eye on things: Assess the condition of your lawn by gently walking across it, paying close attention to waterlogging and compaction issues. Graham Smith MCIHort points out: "If your lawn feels soft and spongy underfoot, then this suggests that there is moss and thatch that will need to be treated in spring." 
• Lightly aerate: If the weather is mild, Juliet Blades suggests you can lightly aerate a lawn to improve drainage. "You can do this by making air holes to create ventilation. In small lawns, a simple garden fork can be used to push holes into the ground," she says.
• Clear debris: If the weather is fine and you're longing for an outdoor job Amanda Kincaid suggests clearing leaves and debris from your lawn. "These small tasks prevent disease and keep your lawn in good condition. Professional groundskeepers do it for a reason—prevention is always better than cure," she says.
• Service your lawnmower: "Make sure your mower is up to the task! Sharpen the blades, lubricate moving parts, and tighten any loose components so it’s in top shape for the season ahead," says Amanda.

March lawn care jobs

Now is the time in the lawn care calendar when you'll notice some growth happening in your garden. The weather won't be perfect, but in the UK that's something we're accustomed to at all times of the year. So it's important to keep an eye on the forecast in case of any late frosts on the horizon which could scupper your lawn care plans.

• Scarify: "Scarification tackles the buildup of dead organic matter near the soil, which can suffocate healthy growth. While a little thatch is beneficial, too much can be harmful. Scarifying a lawn thins out excess thatch, allowing air, light, and nutrients to reach the lower parts of the grass, encouraging fresh, vigorous growth," says Amanda Kincaid.
• Aerate: You may have already performed your aeration in February, if not Amanda advises: "Hollow-tine aeration improves airflow, drainage, and root health. If you plan to aerate and scarify, aerate first so you don’t have to worry about filling the holes afterwards (unless you use a cylinder mower, in which case a top dressing will help smooth the surface)."
• Make your first cut: It's best to wait until the end of the month when average temperatures stay above 8C. "Set the blades high to avoid stressing the lawn," says Julie Blades. If the soil is waterlogged then delay until later so as not to damage your lawn.

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April lawn care jobs

April lawn jobs are similar to those in March. A lot of these jobs are best done in Spring so this month you get the chance to perform them if you haven't done them in March. April also brings the warmth needed for seeding and turfing.

• Scarify: If you haven’t scarified or aerated yet, don’t worry as April is still a great time, and in some ways, it’s even better. "If we’re getting spring rain, scarifying becomes less stressful for the grass, as natural moisture helps it recover without relying on artificial watering," says Amanda Kincaid.
• Aerate: For best results, aerate first so that when you scarify, loosened soil is returned to the lawn. Healthy soil is full of nutrients and microbes, so keeping it in place benefits your grass while saving you extra work.
• Lay turf: Thinning or damaged areas? Now’s the perfect time to reseed or lay new turf. Turf can be installed almost any time of year, but spring rain makes watering much easier.
• Sow grass seed: If you’ve aerated and scarified, overseeding is simple – just rake off any debris, spread the seed, and gently rake it in. This acts as a natural top dressing, improving seed-to-soil contact and boosting germination. Consider clover lawn benefits and use a clover grass seed mix for patches.
• Lawn feed: The advice on whether it's necessary to fertilise a lawn is mixed. If you do decide to feed, the Lawn Association recommends fertilisers which will improve the health of the soil and not encourage your grass to grow like TrueGrass Lawn Fertiliser and Soil Conditioner all-in-one at Amazon which is made from recycled food waste.

May lawn care jobs

Your lawn should now be in full growth mode so regular mowing will be your main job for this month. Particularly if you have aerated your compacted soil and scarified any thatch build-up in previous months.

• Mow regularly: "Once a week is fine, but mowing twice a week—removing smaller amounts each time – encourages denser, healthier growth without adding much extra effort. Alternating directions when you mow prevents the grass from leaning in one direction and helps maintain an even surface," says Amanda.
• Maintain your lawnmower: Sharp blades make a difference to the quality of your cut so maintaining sharp blades is crucial. Amanda recommends keeping a spare blade handy which makes it easy to swap out and sharpen the dull one later. "Grass buildup under the mower can also affect performance and leave clumps on your lawn. Cleaning it after every use keeps it working efficiently," Amanda adds.
• Look out for weeds: Chemical weed killers can affect the health of your soil, so the recommended approach is usually to use a weed tool like the Spear & Jackson 4854WP Mechanical Weed Puller at Amazon to target weeds and pull them up by the root.
• Edge your lawn: A great job for instantly improving the appearance of your lawn. Using a sharp edging tool like this Heavy Duty Edging Knife at Amazon, to neaten off the edges will smarten up the look of your whole garden.
• Keep an eye on new seed: If you've overseeded patches of grass be careful to avoid mowing these areas as the seed will need more time to establish properly. You shouldn't need to water much in May however it is important that new seeds not be allowed to dry out.
• Add horticultural sand: A sprinkling of specially formulated sand on lawns like Westland Horticultural Sand at B&Q which can improve lawn drainage and support growth.

June lawn care jobs

"June can be a bit of a tricky month for lawn care," says Amanda Kincaid. "While the sunny, dry weather invites us to spend time outdoors, it also requires us to be more thoughtful about how we care for our lawns. The temptation to overdo things is real, but with a few precautions, you can keep your lawn healthy without causing unnecessary stress."

• Adjust your mowing: "Mowing in hot conditions is a common summer lawn care mistake that can stress the grass, so it’s essential to change your routine a little," advises Amanda. "While freshly mowed grass looks great, it's better to raise the mowing height during the summer. This will allow the grass to form a protective canopy, helping keep the soil cooler and preventing it from drying out too quickly."
• Use caution with weed control: "Warm weather speeds up the effects of herbicides, and overusing them can damage your lawn," warns Amanda. If you must, apply herbicides in the early morning before the sun heats up. This gives the herbicide a chance to penetrate and get rid of weeds on grass without harming it," she adds.
• Lawn feed: "This is an ideal month to give your lawn its early summer feed," says Fiona Jenkins, gardening expert at MyJobQuote. Try adding a little extra nourishment like Elixir Gardens Spring & Summer granular lawn fertiliser at Amazon.
• Watering: "It is also vital to now become more aware of rainfall and temperatures as during a hot, dry summer it may be necessary to water your lawn once or twice a week," says Fiona. For how long to spend watering a lawn deep and less frequent waters are more affective than short bursts.

July lawn care jobs

It can be tempting to over-treat your lawn and panic when you spot dry patches appearing in high summer. This is only to be expected in periods of warm weather and sometimes letting grass experience difficult periods without coddling it can make it more resilient.

• Watering: It's not essential to water grass. Experiencing periods of drought can be beneficial as it encourages root growth. Amanda points out that even brown grass doesn’t mean your lawn is sick; it’s simply the grass’s way of conserving energy during dry conditions. If you feel you must water, do so after 8 pm.
• Mowing: Continue to mow when necessary remembering however that keeping grass long will help retain moisture.
• Weeds: "Give your grass a breather and avoid excessive use of the lawn to prevent stress, and continue spot-treating any persistent weeds before they spread further," says Julie Blades.

August lawn care jobs

It might be the summer holiday season for most and your lawn is taking a break too. After the hot weather, your grass will be conserving its energy until the rain comes. But the experts suggest a few jobs that can support your lawn in August.

• Watering: "This tends to be one of the hottest months of the year so, if possible, deeply water the lawn with an irrigation system such as a sprinkler. This will evenly water the entire lawn and keep the soil moist and nourishing," advises Fiona Jenkins.
• Weeds: "Weeds may still be a concern, but if your grass is thick and healthy, this should be minimal. Use careful spot treatments to address any weeds that do pop up," says Amanda Kincaid.
• Plan for Autumn: Amanda suggests you use the downtime this month to make a list of tasks for autumn lawn care and the winter months. "Pre-order any equipment you'll need, such as a scarifier and hollow-tine aerator for September. Stock up on autumn and winter feeds, and clear space in your compost heap for those autumn grass clippings," says Amanda.
• Feeding: "If you’d like, you can apply an early autumn feed to give the lawn a little boost. Organic feeds are great because they can stay on the lawn until rain arrives. However, you’ll still need to water them in, so check the weather forecast for when rain is expected. If you're in a drought area, it's better to hold off until September," advises Amanda.

September lawn care jobs

After the heat of the summer months, we begin to move into a period where lawns can be repaired so they are in tip-top shape for winter.

• Scarify: "After a summer of growth, your lawn may have accumulated a layer of thatch. September is the ideal time to deal with this build-up by scarifying," Amanda Kincaid says. "This process allows air, water, and nutrients to reach the soil, ensuring your lawn will bounce back stronger in the spring," she says.
• Aeration: Doing this in September helps break up compacted soil and improves drainage, allowing water and nutrients to reach the grass roots more effectively. "Hollow-tine aeration is particularly beneficial, as it removes soil cores and creates more space for air and moisture to get to the roots," advises Amanda.
• Treat moss: Amanda's advice is to apply moss killer after scarification. "Scarifying first opens up the grass canopy, allowing the moss killer to penetrate deeper and target the roots of the moss. By doing it this way, you’ll get much better results than applying the moss killer before scarifying," says Amanda.
• Fix patches: Fix any bare patches which have appeared over the summer with a little overseeding or fresh turf if needed. This is best performed when the heat of summer is over, so if temperatures are still high wait until later in the month. Do it after you have performed the jobs above for the best results.
• Top dressing: "Top dressing adds nutrients to the soil and can help level out any uneven spots on your lawn. Be sure to choose a good-quality top dressing, and apply it sparingly to avoid smothering the grass," says Amanda. Try Hardys 25L Sandy Loam Lawn Dressing Top Soil at Amazon.

October lawn care jobs

Winter is creeping ever closer so your autumn lawn care jobs will need to be completed this month if you haven't had the chance yet. It's all about getting your lawn in the best state possible to survive the winter months.

• Feed your lawn: "In anticipation of winter, start applying an autumn lawn feed high in potassium to enhance root strength," says Juliet Blades. Don't use spring/summer blends and Amanda Kincaid suggests looking for products containing around 5-10% nitrogen and a higher potassium content to help your lawn cope with the colder months. Try Miracle-Gro Autumn Lawn Care, Lawn Food & Moss Control at Amazon. "If you're reseeding, look for one with added phosphorus to support root growth," she adds.
• Sow seed: This is really your last chance before winter, to give the seed enough chance to take root before the cold hits. The wet weather this month will be perfect for helping new seeds and turf settle in.
• Keep mowing: This will keep your lawn looking neat as well as help strengthen the grassroots even more for winter.

November lawn care jobs

Heavy rain is common during the autumn months and the impact of the rain can contribute to soil compaction and the spread of disease," says Fiona Jenkins. Particularly if debris is left to fester in these damp conditions.

• Last mow: If there is no snow or frost, or periods of extended wet weather you can cut grass in winter, and November is the final month before you stop cutting grass over winter. Clear up the clippings after mowing.
• Clear up debris: Fallen leaves can be a breeding ground for disease on your lawn. Remove them regularly to avoid the spread of fungal diseases like fusarium. "This fungus is particularly harmful and can quickly damage your lawn," says Amanda Kincaid.
• Look for pests: Common pests at this time in the lawn care calendar include chafer grubs and leather jackets, try and address any infestations as soon as possible.
• Aeration: Help keep moisture build-up at bay. This can be done by aeration and walking across your lawn to shake off dew. Minimise foot traffic if there is frost however.

December lawn care jobs

"With the holiday season in full swing, it’s easy to forget about your lawn, but there are still simple tasks you can do to ensure it stays healthy and ready for the spring. December is an excellent time to prevent potential problems before they develop," says Amanda Kincaid.

• Clearing leaves: Continue to keep your lawn clear of fallen leaves. This helps maintain good airflow to your grass and keeps disease at bay.
• Aerate: In order to prevent a build-up of moisture, Amanda Kincaid recommends hollow tine aeration, slitting, and spiking as great ways to help rainwater penetrate the soil and avoid waterlogging. "Hollow tine aeration is a particularly easy and effective method for most homeowners to use," says Amanda. Or why not try lawn aerator shoes at B&Q.
• Stop moss: "If you’ve scarified your lawn in the autumn, you’ve already given moss a significant setback. Now, you can use a moss-killer spray to keep it from returning. This light application will prevent moss from reestablishing itself during the winter months," says Amanda.

If the maintenance needed for keeping a healthy lawn in your garden is getting too much for you there are low-maintenance alternatives to lawns whilst still allowign you to have a lush green space.

Have a look at our gravel garden ideas for inspiration.