Monty Don shares March lawn care task that makes grass thicker and ‘healthier’ than ever

If you want a healthy lawn, then now is the perfect time to start preparing it for the summer months ahead

Monty Don shares March lawn care task to make grass thicker and ‘healthier’ than ever(Image: Elena Medoks via Getty Images)

As the weather warms and grass begins to grow anew, it’s crucial to maintain your lawn throughout spring and summer for optimal growth. According to Monty Don, March is a key month for mowing the lawn. In a 2024 blog post, the gardening guru advised that an early trim could lead to a healthier lawn.

Monty penned: “The grass will need mowing in March, but do not cut it too short. Just give it a light trim for the rest of this month.” The green-fingered expert suggests this approach promotes “good growth”, resulting in a “lot healthier” lawn that’s better equipped to withstand any summer drought.

When it comes to springtime lawn care, it’s preferable to mow little and often rather than make a single drastic cut.

It’s vital not to remove too much grass in one go when mowing, as this could leave it vulnerable to various issues.

If your goal is a lush, healthy lawn, the gardening maestro emphasised the importance of nurturing robust grass over tackling problems like moss, ants, dandelions and weeds, reports the Express.

Monty added, “Nine times out of 10, if the grass is healthy, then everything else will look after itself.

It’s vital not to remove too much grass in one go when mowing, as this could leave it vulnerable to various issues(Image: Getty)

“The best grass likes very well-drained soil. Moss, for example, is always a symptom of poor drainage, made worse by shade.

“Unfortunately, even the best prepared soil becomes compacted by matted roots, rain and especially normal family use.

“The answer is to work on it at least once a year by sticking a fork into the ground and wiggling it about and repeating the process every six inches or so.”

Then combine equal measures of sieved topsoil, sharp sand and sieved leaf mould or compost.

Monty explained: “If you do not have these things to hand, then just sharp or silver sand will do the job.

“Spread it across the area you have pricked and brush it in with a stiff broom, filling the holes with the mixture. This will help drainage and feed the grass.”

Gardeners should also give the lawn a thorough scratch using a wire rake to clear away thatch and moss, allowing light and moisture to penetrate the soil.

Monty added: “Put the debris on the compost and then mow. It will look a little bald for a week or so, but will grow back thicker than ever.”