As the weather warms and the soil dries is the time to start thinking about starting the annual lawn maintenance cycle: -

• Spring is the time to scarify the lawn and remove dead material that accumulated over the winter.
  
  

• Bare patches of lawn should be reseeded, and damaged areas repaired. Never cover grass seed with peat for it will form a crust and prevent the newly germinated grasses from emerging, always use sand to cover reseeded areas.
  
  

• To give the lawn a boost and encourage growth, now is the time to apply a Spring lawn fertiliser, which will be higher in Nitrogen than those applied in Autumn.
  
  

• Little and often is the secret to mowing. Regular cutting keeps it tidy, thickens the turf and deters weeds. The lawnmower blades should be set to cut the grass about 1in (2.5cm) high to help protect the lawn against damage. For a traditional, striped finish, choose a mower fitted with a roller.

As Summer progresses, continue to mow, feed and weed the lawn: -

• Feeding the grass with a lawn fertiliser will make it greener and grow more thickly. This helps it to resist invasions of weeds and moss. It is possible to tackle weeds and moss while feeding by using a combined feed and weed product or a moss treatment. If your lawn receives heavy wear it is advisable to feed every six weeks until mid-summer.
  
  

• It sounds obvious, but lawns really do need watering, particularly during the dry summer months. Prolonged dry spells will slow up grass growth if the lawn maintenance programme does not include proper watering. Deeper-rooted weeds will survive and outgrow grass struggling in drought conditions. If there are no watering restrictions then make watering the lawn part of the maintenance programme.
  
  

• During long dry spells, mow less frequently and leave grass to grow longer. It may turn brown, but it will grow and green up again when the rain comes. In the meantime do not feed the grass as this can scorch it. Do not water either, as this encourages the grass to root closer to the surface, making it vulnerable to drought.
  
  

• Continue to trim the lawn edges

Autumn is the time to start preparing the lawn for Winter: -

• Mowing ~ Raise the height of the cutting blades on your mower in early autumn. Allowing the grass to grow a little higher will help to reduce the chance of frost penetrating the turf and damaging it. Avoid cutting the grass or walking on it during wet or frosty days. Finish weekly mowing in mid-autumn when the colder weather begins. You can give it a quick cut during the winter if it starts to get long and unruly, otherwise wait until spring before starting regular mowing. Clean and oil your lawnmower and store it in a dry place. It is a good time to take it for a service.
  
  

• Scarification or Raking should be done both in Spring and Autumn, the second rake in Autumn is essential to remove all the fallen leaves, ageing grass plants and debris. The lawn is then ready for re-seeding.
  
  

• Perk up tired lawns by giving them a feed. Use an Autumn lawn fertiliser, as these are high in phosphates and potash and low in nitrogen. They will encourage strong roots to develop. This is the key to a great-looking lawn next spring as healthy roots help to produce healthy leaves. Don't be tempted to use spring lawn fertilisers because they contain high levels of nitrogen. This encourages soft, sappy leaf growth, which is vulnerable to disease. Apply the fertiliser at the rate stated on the packaging. Don't be tempted to use extra as this may scorch the grass.
  
  

• Repairs ~ Autumn is a good time to repair worn parts of the lawn and to sow or turf new areas, as the soil is warm and moist.
  
  

• Aeration ~ Late Autumn is the time to help your lawn recover from the battering it took during the Summer, when the soil was compacted through normal wear and tear. Aeration will allow the soil to breathe and improve drainage, which is especially important during the wet Winter months.
  
  

• Top Dressing ~ A top dressing of sand, loam, and compost can be brushed into the holes created when you aerated your lawn helping to improve the organic content of the soil and drainage.

You never had it so good ~ As far as the lawn is concerned you can now put your feet up and relax.