It’s that time of year when the strawberries are out, the flags are up, and sports fans have one eye on the tennis and the other on the football. But how do they get their grass looking so good?
The experts at British Garden Centres have put together their top lawn care tips to help you achieve a lush, healthy lawn this summer. From repairing bare patches and perfecting those classic stripes, to weeding, feeding and watering, here’s everything you need for a match-ready lawn.
How to repair bare patches in your lawn
Most lawns come out of winter looking a bit sorry for themselves. Whether it’s from heavy foot traffic, waterlogging or just general wear and tear, bare patches are completely normal. The good news is they’re easy to repair.
If your lawn takes a battering from kids and dogs, go for a hard-wearing sports or family mix. If you’re after a fine, dense lawn, look for a fescue-based blend. Pop in store and ask our friendly team for advice.
Rake the patches back
to bare soil
Give them a light scratch with a garden fork to loosen the surface, then firm it down with your foot. Sow the seed according to the packet instructions, rake it in gently and lightly firm it down.
Water morning and evening until you see germination
This usually takes one to two weeks. Try to keep off the area for a month, and add a light layer of lawn compost to help retain moisture and give the seed the best possible start.
How to mow lawn stripes like Wimbledon
Those famous Wimbledon stripes are down to a well-maintained lawn mower and a bit of discipline. The golden rule of mowing is little and often. During the growing season aim to cut every five to seven days and never take off more than one-third of the grass height in one go.
Scalping the lawn, or cutting it too short, is one of the most common mistakes people make, because it stresses the grass. Set your cutting height to around 25–35mm for a smarter lawn, or 40–50mm if it’s a family lawn or the weather’s been dry.
To get the Wimbledon or football stadium stripes, mow in straight parallel lines in opposite directions then finish with a roller if possible. Alternate the direction of your stripes each time you mow to stop the grass from leaning one way. Always keep your mower blades sharp, as blunt blades tear the grass instead of cutting it cleanly, leaving it looking ragged.
How to remove weeds from your lawn
Dandelions, clover, plantain, and creeping buttercup have all had a good spring, so they’re well established and starting to seed. Removing them now will help prevent them spreading later in the summer. Pick by hand or use a hand fork to get the whole root out cleanly. This is important with dandelions, where even a small piece of root left behind will regrow.
For a lawn that’s more weeds than grass, a selective weedkiller for lawns is the best solution. These products target broad-leaved weeds without harming the grass. A weed and feed granule mix, which tackles weeds and fertilises the lawn at the same time, is a good alternative for busier gardeners.
If moss is an issue, treat it with a ferrous sulphate-based moss remover first. Once it’s blackened and died off, scarify it out and overseed any thin areas. Whatever you use, stick to the label instructions and avoid treating newly seeded areas or applying anything during prolonged dry spells.
How to feed your lawn
A lawn that’s never been fed is like a footballer who’s never been to the gym. It might get through the season, but it won’t look or perform at its best. Feeding your lawn in late spring or early summer provides the nutrients needed to keep it green, thick and resilient throughout the warmer months.
Look for a nitrogen rich fertiliser, as this drives leafy green growth, with lower levels of phosphate. Granular fertilisers are the easiest to apply; using a lawn spreader helps achieve even coverage and prevents patchy results.
Slow-release formulas are worth considering if you’d rather not think about it again for a couple of months. Always water granular feed if there’s no rain within 48 hours.
How to water your lawn in summer
British summers can be unpredictable, especially with recent heatwaves. Established lawns benefit from deep watering two or three times a week rather than a light daily sprinkle. This encourages the roots to grow deeper into the soil, making the grass more resilient during hot, dry weather. The only exception to this is a newly sown lawn, where you need to keep the top layer consistently moist until the seed has germinated.
When you water, do it in the morning so the water soaks in before the sun comes out and the grass has all day to dry out before nightfall. If you want to be smart about conserving water, use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system rather than a sprinkler, as it delivers the water straight to the roots where it’s needed. If you use a sprinkler put it on a timer to stop it from running longer than necessary.
An easy way to tell if your lawn needs watering is to walk across it. If your footprints remain visible instead of the grass springing back, it’s time to give your lawn a drink.
