As spring arrives, gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has outlined three essential lawn tasks to perform in April for healthier grass. On his YouTube channel, he emphasised the importance of these steps beyond regular mowing.
First, Titchmarsh advises using a wire-tooth rake to remove moss, a common issue after a damp winter. 'Just tear at it. Once it's gone, the grass will get the air and light it needs to thrive,' he said. This process, known as scarifying or dethatching, clears dead grass and debris.
For bare patches, Titchmarsh recommends reseeding rather than turfing, as it is cheaper. He suggests digging up compacted soil, adding topsoil, firming it level, then teasing with a fork before sowing seed thickly to account for birds. Lightly mix seeds with soil and water them in.
Finally, inspect lawn edges. To create a crisp edge, lay a hosepipe as a guide and use a half-moon iron to cut along it. Titchmarsh also cautioned not to cut grass too short in April—keeping it at an inch is better than half an inch—and to remove clippings to allow air and light to reach the grass.
