Spring Lawn Care Checklist for a Healthier Garden Lawn

If your lawn looks tired after winter—patchy areas, moss, weeds, or muddy edges—you’re not alone. Spring is the best time to reset your lawn so it stays greener, thicker, and easier to maintain through summer. Below is a practical checklist used by professional gardeners to bring lawns back to life across Bordon, Farnham and Haslemere.

1) Start with a “quick health check”

Before you do anything, take five minutes to assess what your lawn actually needs. Walk the area and look for: - Moss (spongy patches, especially in shade) - Compaction (water sitting on the surface) - Bare spots (dog runs, high-traffic areas) - Weeds (daisies, dandelions, clover) - Edges (untidy borders make the whole lawn look worse).

This step saves money and time. The goal is to fix the cause—not just the symptom.

2) First cut: don’t scalp it

The biggest spring mistake is cutting too short too early. After winter, grass is stressed and roots may be shallow. - Keep the first few cuts higher than usual - Aim to remove no more than one-third of the grass height each time - Increase frequency gradually rather than cutting aggressively.

A slightly longer lawn in early spring encourages stronger roots and helps it crowd out weeds naturally.

3) Tidy edges for instant kerb appeal

If your lawn edges are messy, the garden looks unfinished even if the grass is short. Crisp edging is one of the fastest ways to make a garden feel “looked after.” - Define borders along paths, beds, patios and driveways - Strim carefully, then edge for a clean line - Keep corners neat and consistent.

This is a “small job” that makes a big visual difference—especially for landlords or anyone preparing for viewings.

4) Aerate if the lawn feels compacted

If the lawn is muddy and waterlogged, compaction is often the culprit. Aeration helps air, water and nutrients reach the roots.

You likely need aeration if: - Water pools after rain - The ground feels hard underfoot - Moss is thriving.

For small areas, a garden fork can help. For bigger lawns, hollow-tine aeration can make a noticeable improvement.

5) Deal with moss the right way

Moss usually appears because of shade, compaction, poor drainage, or low nutrients. You can treat moss, but it will return unless you fix conditions too.

A typical approach:

1. Apply a moss treatment

2. Wait for moss to blacken

3. Rake/scarify to remove debris

4. Overseed thin areas

5. Feed to strengthen grass growth.

Done in the right order, you’ll get a thicker lawn that’s harder for moss to reclaim.

6) Feed for stronger growth (without overdoing it)

A spring feed helps your lawn recover after winter and encourages even growth. Choose a spring/ summer lawn feed, and follow instructions carefully—too much can scorch grass. If you prefer a lowermaintenance approach, regular mowing at the right height plus a moderate spring feed is often enough for a good-looking lawn.

7) Overseed thin patches for a fuller finish

Bare patches don’t fix themselves. Overseeding is a simple way to thicken the lawn and reduce weeds long-term. - Rake the patch lightly - Add a bit of topsoil if needed - Seed evenly - Keep it moist until established.

If you keep on top of it now, the lawn will look far better by late spring.

8) Weed control: prevention beats panic

Weeds spread fastest when lawns are thin and stressed. A healthy, thick lawn is the best “weed control.” For visible weeds, spot treat where appropriate and focus on mowing height and feeding to reduce regrowth.

Request a quote and send a few photos of your lawn—we’ll recommend the best next steps for a thicker, healthier finish.