When should I start mowing my lawn in the UK?

**Early to mid-March is the typical first mow.** Wait until the grass is visibly growing and the ground is firm enough to walk on without leaving footprints. Set blades to 4cm for the first cut. In northern England and Scotland, the first mow often falls 2-3 weeks later.

What month should I scarify my lawn?

**September is the best month to scarify.** Soil is warm, autumn rain returns, and grass grows actively for 6-8 weeks before winter dormancy. A light scarify in April removes surface moss, but avoid deep scarifying in spring as recovery time before summer heat is too short.

How often should I feed my lawn?

**Three to four times per year gives the best results.** Apply a high-nitrogen spring feed in late March or April, a balanced summer feed in June, an optional second summer feed in August, and a high-potassium autumn feed in September or October.

When is the best time to overseed a lawn in the UK?

**September is the best month for overseeding.** Soil temperatures of 12-15C and natural autumn rainfall give the highest germination rates. April to May is the second-best window, but spring-sown seed needs more watering and faces stronger weed competition.

Should I aerate my lawn every year?

**High-traffic areas benefit from annual aeration.** The rest of the lawn needs aerating every 2-3 years. Hollow-tine aeration in September works best. It removes cores of compacted soil and opens channels for air, water, and roots.

Can I mow my lawn in winter?

**Avoid mowing between November and February in most of the UK.** Grass growth drops below 5mm per week and the ground is often too soft or frozen. Walking on frosted grass damages the leaf blades. If a mild spell triggers light growth, a single high cut at 4cm in late November is acceptable.

What is the best lawn care schedule for beginners?

**Start with three tasks: mow weekly, feed in spring and autumn. And overseed bare patches in September.** These three actions make the biggest difference. Add scarifying and aerating once you are comfortable with the basics. Most lawns show a clear improvement within one full growing season of consistent care.

How To | 27 October 2025 | 16 min read

Lawn Care Calendar UK: Month by Month

Month-by-month UK lawn care calendar covering mowing, feeding, scarifying, aerating, and overseeding. Practical timing for every task across all 12 months.

Well-maintained striped lawn in a UK garden with a push mower resting on the grass in morning light

How To

UK lawns need active management from March to October, with mowing frequency rising from fortnightly in spring to twice weekly in midsummer. Feed 3-4 times per year starting late March when soil reaches 8C. Scarify and aerate in September for fastest recovery. Overseeding windows are April-May and September-October. Northern gardens should shift spring tasks 2-3 weeks later than the south.

Mowing Height4cm spring, 2.5-3cm summer

Feeding3-4 times per year

Best MonthSeptember for scarify and overseed

Weekly Effort2 hours at peak season

Key takeaways

Mow from March to October, adjusting height from 4cm in spring down to 2.5-3cm in summer
Feed 3-4 times per year: spring (high nitrogen), summer (balanced), and autumn (high potassium)
September is the single best month for scarifying, aerating, and overseeding
Never mow frozen or waterlogged grass, and never feed dormant turf between November and February
Regional timing matters: northern UK gardens start spring tasks 2-3 weeks later than the south
A complete annual programme covers mowing, feeding, weed control, moss treatment, scarifying, aerating, and overseeding

lawn care lawn calendar mowing scarifying aerating overseeding lawn feed monthly gardening

By Garden UK Editorial Team

Our team produces practical UK gardening guidance from source research, contributor records and established horticultural practice. Editorial standards are overseen by Matt W.

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Lawn Care Calendar UK: Month by Month

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