How to revive your lawn after winter

Winter can be a difficult time for your lawn, it may need extra attention after a long cold and wet winter. Follow these tips to wake your lawn for coming into spring.
Look out for bare spots!
It's common for bare spots to appear after a long winter; look out for the bare areas in your lawn that have thinned out. Give these spots an extra feed and perhaps consider overseeding. We recommend applying either a quick-release or slow-release fertiliser to give these bare spots the boost they need. Both will provide the nutrients your lawn needs to bring it back to life; you can apply these before or after seeding.
- SLOW RELEASE: Spring / Summer fertiliser provides a steadier, consistent feed for four months, ensuring your lawn stays lusher for longer
- QUICK RELEASE: Spring/Summer fertiliser is a fast-acting fertiliser that works quickly over six weeks to promote immediate healthy growth
Watch out for weeds!
Over the winter, some unwanted weeds may have appeared on your lawn. If this has happened in a small patch of your lawn, there are two options to remove these unwanted weeds. You can dig these out manually or apply a Feed, Weed and Mosskiller to the unwelcome weeds in your lawn.
Remove debris and aerate
Winter gardens across the UK might be covered in debris from branches and leaves. Make sure your lawn is clear of debris, as this impedes drainage and soil compaction, leading to unwanted bare patches. If your lawn is waterlogged, you can aerate, which will help drainage and increase your soil's oxygen and mineral level. There are two different methods of aerating, spiking and pricking, and spiking involves creating holes using a garden fork, which is great for small areas. When using the aeration technique of pricking, simply roll the aerating tool along and each sturdy spike will puncture a deep hole to help your lawn breathe. To aerate, follow our guide on how and why you should aerate.
Seed and repair
Overseeding will repair damaged areas giving you luscious green grass and ultimately bringing your lawn back to life.
Follow the steps below to overseed your lawn;
- Remove any dead grass, weeds or moss by scarifying/raking the area
- Rake the area enough so that the soil is loose and not compact
- Sow the seed at our recommended rate of 35g per m2 by using a seed spreader or your hand
- Rake the seed in after sowing so that the seed is in amongst the soil
- Firm down by foot or by using a roller to improve seed-to-soil contact
- Water the just-sown seed well
If your lawn has emerged from our winter weather relatively unscathed and only has a few patches to repair, you can find out how best to do this using our patch repair guide.
If you're unsure of what grass seed you need, we have a handy guide to help you choose the right mix. Please contact us if you would like to confirm your choice at expert@thegrasspeople.com.