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January All that is required is to rake up the fallen leaves. It's best to keep off the lawn at this time of year as you can harm it by walking on the frozen or waterlogged turf.
February In milder parts of the country, you can start to work on improving the appearance of your lawn. The main job will be scattering worm casts with a stiff brush to disperse the soil.
March Now is the time to start your lawn care program. Rake the lawn to remove leaves and rubbish as soon as the grass starts to grow and the weather and ground conditions are favorable. Be careful whilst raking as too much enthusiasm can damage your grass. If there have been heavy frosts, it is a good idea to settle the turf by light rolling. You can give the lawn its first cut during this month. Set the mower blades high, as a close cut could result in yellowing of the grass. A dry day is best for the first cut and two cuts should be sufficient this month. You should also examine the lawn for signs of moss and disease. Neaten the edges with a half moon cutter.
April Commence feeding and weeding at the end of April, as long as the grass and weeds are actively growing. If you are going to use lawn sand, ensure that it is spread evenly and the dead moss is raked up two weeks later. You can mow more frequently now but do not cut lower than 2cm (3/4 in.). On a fine grass lawn, dig out any patches of coarse grass present and fill the holes with sifted soil and re-seed/re-turf.
May Increase the frequency of mowing and lower the height to give a closer cut. If there is little rain during this month, you should irrigate your lawn copiously. This month is usually the best time for killing lawn weeds as the grass is normally dry and the soil is still moist. If you have a problem with clover or annual meadow grass, rake the patches before mowing.
June The summer lawn mowing regime can commence. Cut twice a week if the soil is moist and the grass is growing rapidly. If there is a long dry spell, you should raise the height of the blades and don't use a grass box. If the lawn needs "greening up", feed with a summer fertilizer. Spot treat any weeds that have survived earlier treatments. It is important to give your lawn a good rake before mowing to keep the runners of clover under control. Trim the lawn edges regularly and water well during dry spells. Hot weather can often bake the soil surface so it's a good idea to spike the surface before watering.
July Continue mowing and watering regularly if the weather is dry. It is important to give your lawn a good rake before mowing to keep the runners of clover under control.
August Continue as for July. If you have been away on holiday and the grass is long, raise the mower blades to give a long cut; this will avoid shocking the root system. This is the last month that you should apply weed killers and nitrogen-rich fertilizers.
September This is the start of the autumn program for your lawn. Mow less frequently and you should raise the blades on your lawnmower. Worm casts may start to appear now; scatter these with a stiff brush to disperse the soil. You can use an autumn lawn fertilizer if the grass is looking dull. Repairs to the lawn can also be carried out now. You can scarify your lawn to help remove thatch and moss. Then spike any compacted areas to improve drainage and top-dress. The top-dressing will help to even out all the lumps and bumps, as well as breaking down the thatch and improving the soil. When you do top-dress, try and work it into the grass with the back of a steel rake.
October Regular mowing comes to an end during this month; for the last cut or two, raise the blades. Apply an autumn fertilizer, carry out repairs and scarify. There's still time to spike and top-dress if you didn't last month. Rake up fallen leaves; dig out any patches of coarse grass present in the lawn and fill the holes with sifted soil and re-seed/re-turf.
November You can mow your lawn one last time during November, but don't attempt to mow if the weather is frosty or wet and the surface is firm. Clean and oil all equipment for winter storage and brush away worm casts. Keep the lawn clear of leaves and other debris.
December Apart from raking up leaves, you should try and keep off the lawn to avoid unnecessary compaction.
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