A lawn is easily damaged in winter, but it's also easily protected. Here's how to keep yours looking its best.
Created by jflgardens.co.uk
In winter your lawn isn't growing — it's surviving. The cold and wet can mark it in ways that show up months later, but a few simple habits protect the sward and give you a thick, healthy lawn come spring.
Trampling waterlogged or frozen ground compacts the soil and bruises the grass, leaving yellow, muddy tracks that scar for months. When the lawn is sodden or frost-hardened, keep off it and leave jobs for a firm, dry day.
Fallen leaves, wind-blown debris and shade from piles of snow starve the lawn of light and trap moisture, encouraging disease. Sweep or rake leaves off regularly through winter so the grass can breathe.
Grass does keep growing on mild days, so a light trim on a dry, mild spell is fine — but set the mower high and never cut frozen or soggy grass. Most years the lawn can simply be left to rest from late autumn until spring.
Winter is a good time to note compaction, drainage and bald patches so you can fix them at the right moment. In late winter, once the worst weather has passed, you can start patching and feeding to set the lawn up.
From seasonal garden care to a full lawn care-style overhaul, the JFL Gardens team works across Surrey and London.
