Gardening expert Monty Don has revealed a simple March lawn care task that can lead to a thicker, healthier lawn. In a 2024 blog post, the green-fingered guru advised giving the grass a light trim this month, rather than cutting it too short.
According to Don, mowing little and often in spring promotes good growth, resulting in a lawn that is 'lot healthier' and better equipped to withstand summer drought. He emphasised that it is vital not to remove too much grass in one go, as this could leave it vulnerable to various issues.
Don also stressed the importance of nurturing robust grass over tackling problems like moss, ants, dandelions and weeds. 'Nine times out of 10, if the grass is healthy, then everything else will look after itself,' he wrote.
To improve drainage, Don recommends aerating the lawn by sticking a fork into the ground every six inches or so, then filling the holes with a mixture of equal measures of sieved topsoil, sharp sand and sieved leaf mould or compost. If these are not available, just sharp or silver sand will do.
Finally, gardeners should give the lawn a thorough scratch with a wire rake to clear away thatch and moss, allowing light and moisture to penetrate. 'Put the debris on the compost and then mow. It will look a little bald for a week or so, but will grow back thicker than ever,' Don added.
