How to revive a lawn after winter

Look out for bare spots!

The first thing to look for when exploring how to revive a lawn after winter is bare or thinning spots that have appeared over the course of the winter months. 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.
• Make it Grow is a quick-release, fast-acting liquid fertiliser that gets to work quickly - enriching your lawn with the nutrients it needs and feeding for 6-8 weeks after applying.

Watch out for weeds!

The next step in how to revive a lawn is taking care of 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 it, which will help drainage and increase your soil's oxygen and mineral levels. There are two different methods of aerating: spiking and pricking. 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 seed mix.

We also have further reading on looking after your lawn below:

• The first grass cut: when should I mow?
• Lawn Care Seasonal Checklist
• What’s going on in my lawn? UK Lawn Care Advice