The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has issued a warning for gardeners this January, advising them to avoid walking on frosty lawns to prevent damage. The RHS explains that frost makes grass blades brittle, and foot traffic can cause them to break, leaving brown footprints that may take weeks to disappear.
In its January lawn care guidance, the RHS recommends repairing bare patches, particularly along edges, using turf from other parts of the garden if available. Gardeners are also advised to level hollows and bumps by cutting an H-shape into the turf, adjusting the soil beneath, and re-laying the grass.
For a neat finish, the RHS suggests re-cutting lawn edges with a half-moon edging iron or flat-bladed spade, and maintaining a 7.5cm (three-inch) 'gutter' around borders to prevent grass from spreading into flower beds. Mowing is not recommended in January, but the RHS notes that mowing can resume in February when temperatures rise above 7°C, with the blade set to its highest setting and only when the grass is dry.
For those creating a new lawn, turf can be laid in mild weather, but sowing grass seed should wait until spring due to cold conditions. The RHS emphasizes that walking on frosty grass is the key hazard to avoid this month.
