UK and Irish lawn care calendar | The complete guide
Timing is everything with lawn care. Get it right and your lawn practically looks after itself. Get it wrong and you end up fighting the same problems year after year. This calendar gives you the exact timing for every major lawn task across the UK and Ireland, with regional adjustments where they matter.
After spending 20 years as a championship greenkeeper and another decade running lawn care businesses, I have seen what works and what does not. The biggest mistake people make is not the products they use or the equipment they buy. It is timing. They scarify too early, feed too late, or try to overseed when the soil is too cold for germination.
This guide applies to all soil types across the UK and Ireland, whether you are dealing with sandy soil that drains quickly, loamy soil that holds nutrients well, or heavy clay that stays wet longer. The principles are the same, though clay lawns may need more aeration and sandy lawns may need more frequent feeding.
This calendar is built around how grass actually grows in our climate. I will explain not just what to do each month, but why that timing matters. Because once you understand the "why," you will never have to guess again.
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Understanding UK and Ireland Growing Seasons
Before we get into the month by month detail, you need to understand why timing varies so much across our islands. It all comes down to soil temperature.
🔬 The Science Made Simple
Grass roots only grow actively when soil temperature is above 6°C. Leaf growth kicks in properly around 8 to 10°C. This means your lawn might look green but have dormant roots in early spring, or brown off in summer while roots stay active. Knowing this changes everything about when you should be doing what.
Here is the reality of growing seasons across different regions:
| Region | Growing Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| South of England | Pretty much year-round | Mild winters mean grass rarely stops completely |
| Midlands | March to early November | Typical UK pattern |
| Northern England | Late March to October | Shorter but intense growing season |
| Scotland | April to September/October | Highland areas are even shorter |
| Wales | March to November | Coastal areas such as South England |
| Northern Ireland | March to early November | Maritime influence extends seasonally |
| Republic of Ireland | March to November | Milder west coast, similar to South England |
The key point is this: adjust all timing in this calendar based on your local conditions. If you are in the Scottish Highlands, everything shifts later in spring and earlier in autumn. If you are on the south coast of England, your lawn might not stop growing at all. That said, lawn care should be fun, so use this as a rough guide and tweak it for your specific area.
iGrow Carpet Feeding Schedule
Here is the recommended feeding schedule using iGrow Carpet products throughout the year. We recommend feeding every 10 weeks during the growing season, with seaweed applications year-round and iron used strategically for colour and moss control.
| Season | Months | Granular Feed |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | January or February | Autumn Lawn Builder (low rate) |
| Spring | March, April, May | Spring Starter Plus |
| Summer | June, July, August | Summer Advance |
| Autumn | September, October, November | Autumn Lawn Builder |
Seaweed
Seaweed Lawn Booster can be applied year-round once a month. It supports soil health, strengthens roots, and helps the grass cope with whatever the weather throws at it.
Green Shot Iron
Green Shot Iron is brilliant for blackening moss and boosting colour, but use it wisely. Too much of a good thing can become a bad thing. Here is a sensible approach:
- Late autumn: Medium dose to blacken moss and hold it back
- Winter: Higher dose when moss is at its worst
- Throughout the year: Lower doses as needed to top up colour
The measurement tool will help you determine exactly how much you need for your lawn at each application rate.
❄️ Winter Months
January
January is about protection, not progress. Your lawn is dormant or nearly dormant, and any work you do now risks causing damage that will show up for months.
🚫 Stay Off When Frozen or Wet
Walking on frozen grass breaks the cell walls. You will see your footprints as brown, dead grass for weeks afterwards. Waterlogged lawns compress under foot traffic, damaging soil structure.
🌿 Light Winter Feed
We recommend a light feed using Autumn Lawn Builder at a reduced rate. The measurement tool will tell you exactly how much you need for your lawn size.
🔱 Aerate High Traffic Areas
Winter is a great time to get the fork out. Focus on high traffic areas first, then move to other areas if conditions allow. This relieves compaction while the lawn is dormant.
✂️ Mow If There Is Growth
If you are seeing some growth, you can cut the lawn. Keep the mower on the highest setting and just take the tips off.
🧹 Clear Debris
Remove fallen leaves, branches, and any other debris when conditions allow. Debris left sitting creates bare patches and encourages disease.
📐 Edge the Lawn
If ground conditions allow, January is a good time to get your edges tidied up. Clean edges make a huge difference to how the lawn looks.
🔧 Service Equipment
Get your mower in for a service before the spring rush. Blunt blades tear grass rather than cutting it cleanly, leaving brown tips. Beat the queues by booking early.
📐 Plan Ahead
Measure your lawn so you know exactly how much product you need for the season. No guessing, no waste, no running out halfway through.
January Tips
- Apply a light winter feed (Autumn Lawn Builder at reduced rate)
- Aerate high-traffic areas with a fork
- Mow if there is growth (highest setting, tips only)
- Edge the lawn if ground conditions allow
- Get the mower serviced before the spring rush
- No scarifying. You will rip out the grass, and it cannot recover.
- No weed treatment. It simply will not work when nothing is growing.
February
February is a transitional month. In the south, you might start to see signs of life. Further north, it still looks and feels like winter. Watch your lawn, not the calendar.
👀 Watch for First Growth
Look for the grass starting to green up and put on height. This is your signal that the growing season is approaching.
🪨 Address Moss Now
If moss is a problem, late February is when to treat it. Moss is most vulnerable before the grass starts competing properly.
🧹 Continue Debris Clearance
Any leaves or debris that have accumulated over winter need to go. Light raking is fine if conditions are dry.
🗓️ Order Products
Get your spring fertiliser and any other products ordered now. Do not leave it until March when everyone is panic buying.
🔬 Why Treat Moss Now?
Moss spreads through spores and thrives when grass is weak. By treating in late winter, you blacken and dehydrate the moss while it is actively growing but before the grass needs to compete for space. This gives your grass a clear run when it wakes up in spring.
This is when iron based products like Green Shot Iron really shine. The iron blackens and dehydrates the moss while giving your grass a colour boost. You will see the moss turn black within days, making it easy to rake out before spring growth kicks in.
February Tasks Checklist
- Treat moss if present (late February in milder areas)
- Light rake to remove debris when dry
- Check drainage and address waterlogged areas
- Sharpen mower blades if not done in January
- Order spring products
🌱 Spring Months
March
March is when it all starts to happen. The soil is warming, daylight hours are increasing, and your lawn is waking up. This is the month that sets up your entire year.
✂️ First Mow of the Season
When the grass reaches 50 to 60mm, take the first cut. Set the mower to the highest setting and remove only the top third. Never scalp.
🌿 Spring Feed Application
Once grass is actively growing (usually mid to late March in most areas), apply a spring fertiliser. The higher nitrogen content fuels leafy growth.
🧹 Rake Out Dead Moss
If you treated moss in February, it should be black and dead by now. Rake it out before applying fertiliser.
🔍 Assess Lawn Condition
Now you can see what survived winter. Note bare patches, thin areas, and where weeds have moved in.
🔬 Why Spring Feed Matters So Much
After winter dormancy, grass has depleted its carbohydrate reserves. The plant literally ran on stored energy while it could not photosynthesise properly. A spring feed provides the nitrogen it needs to produce chlorophyll (the green stuff that captures sunlight) and start building reserves again. Feed too late, and you are playing catch-up all season.
A good spring feed makes all the difference at this stage. Spring Starter Plus has a higher nitrogen ratio (20-4-10) that grass needs coming out of dormancy, plus magnesium and calcium to help the plant use those nutrients efficiently. It releases slowly over 8 to 10 weeks so you are not pushing flushes of weak growth.
• South England: Early to mid March
• Midlands/Wales: Mid to late March
• Northern England: Late March
• Scotland: Late March to early April
• Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland: Mid to late March
March Action List
- First mow when grass reaches 50 to 60mm (highest setting)
- Apply spring fertiliser once growth is active
- Rake out treated moss before feeding
- Note any areas needing attention
- Do NOT scarify yet, grass is not strong enough
April
April is the prime growing time. Temperatures are rising, soil is warming, and your lawn should be showing noticeable growth each week. This is when regular maintenance becomes important.
✂️ Regular Mowing Begins
You should be mowing weekly now in most areas. Gradually lower cutting height over several cuts but never remove more than one third at a time.
🌱 Weed Control Window Opens
Weeds are growing actively now, which means they will absorb the weed killer properly. Best results when weeds are young, and temperatures are 10 to 20°C.
🎯 Overseeding Opportunity
Soil temperature should be warm enough for germination. Good time to fill in any bare patches or thin areas.
💧 Consider Watering
April can be dry. If we get a dry spell and the lawn looks stressed, consider watering deeply but infrequently.
🔬 The One Third Rule Explained
Grass stores carbohydrates in the lower portion of the blade and in the crown. When you cut off more than one-third of the blade height, you remove too much photosynthetic capacity, and the plant has to draw on its reserves to recover. Do this repeatedly, and you weaken the grass, making it more susceptible to stress, disease, and weed invasion.
Target mowing height for most UK lawns is 25 to 40mm for a utility lawn, or 15 to 25mm if you want a finer finish. Work your way down to this gradually over April and May, not all at once.
April Action List
- Mow weekly, gradually lowering height
- Apply weed killer if needed (spot treat or blanket spray)
- Overseed bare patches (keep watered)
- Light scarifying is possible if the lawn is strong and established
- Water if the dry spell exceeds 7 to 10 days
May
May is the peak growth month in most of the UK. Your lawn is probably growing faster now than at any other time of year. This is both brilliant and demanding.
✂️ Mowing Twice Weekly?
Growth can be so vigorous in May that weekly mowing is not enough to stick to the one-third rule. Consider mowing every 4 to 5 days.
🧃 Consider Summer Feed
If your spring feed was early March, it will be running out by late May. Time to think about switching to a summer formulation.
🌿 Final Weed Control Window
After May, weed killers become less effective as leaf surfaces harden. Get any remaining weed treatment done now.
💧 Watering Becomes Important
May can surprise us with dry warm spells. Established lawns are fairly drought-tolerant, but newly seeded areas need consistent moisture.
By the end of May, you should have reached your target mowing height. The lawn should be thick, green, and growing strongly. If not, something went wrong earlier in the season, whether due to timing, product choice, or underlying soil issues.
The transition from spring to summer feed depends on when you started. If your spring feed went down in mid March, late May or early June is the time to apply Summer Advance. It is designed for summer conditions: balanced nutrition that keeps growth steady without pushing soft, disease prone grass.
May Action List
- Mow frequently enough to maintain one third rule
- Complete any weed treatment
- Plan summer feed timing
- Water during dry spells (deeply, not little and often)
- Edge beds and borders for clean lines
☀️ Summer Months
June
June often brings our best lawn weather. Long days, warm soil, and usually enough rain to keep things growing nicely. This is when your hard work in the spring really pays off.
✂️ Regular Mowing Routine
Stick to your schedule. Weekly should be fine now that the spring flush has passed. Cut in different directions each time.
🌿 Summer Feed Window
Early June is ideal for summer feed if your spring application was in March. This carries the lawn through to late summer.
🌱 Support Soil Health
A seaweed application now strengthens roots and helps grass cope with any summer stress coming.
💧 Water Wisely
If watering is needed, do it early morning. One deep soak beats five light sprinkles. Train roots to go deep.
🔬 Why Seaweed Is Not Just Hippy Nonsense
Seaweed contains cytokinins and auxins, plant hormones that promote cell division and root growth. It also contains betaines, which help plants retain water under stress. Research shows that seaweed-treated turf recovers faster from drought and has deeper roots. This is not mystical, it is biochemistry.
Seaweed Lawn Booster is genuinely useful stuff. I use it throughout the season, but June is particularly good timing because it primes the grass for whatever summer throws at it. Mix it up, spray it on, and let the soil biology do its thing.
June Action List
- Apply summer fertiliser if due
- Consider seaweed application for root health
- Mow regularly, alternating direction
- Water deeply if needed (not little and often)
- Keep an eye out for early signs of disease
July
July is usually our hottest month and can bring drought stress. How you manage this month determines whether your lawn stays green or goes brown and patchy.
✂️ Raise Mowing Height
In hot, dry weather, raise your cutting height by 10 to 15mm. Longer grass shades soil, reduces evaporation, and develops deeper roots.
💧 Water Smart
If you are going to water, do it properly. 25mm of water once a week is better than 5mm every day. Deep watering encourages deep roots.
🛑 Avoid Stress Activities
No scarifying. No heavy feeding. No weed killer. The lawn is stressed enough without adding to it.
🤷 Accept Some Dormancy
If your lawn turns brown during a drought, it is not dead. It has gone dormant. It will recover when rain returns.
🔬 Why Brown Does Not Mean Dead
Cool-season grasses (which are what we grow in the UK) have evolved to survive drought by going dormant. The leaves die back, but the crown and roots stay alive. As long as drought does not exceed 4 to 6 weeks, recovery is usually complete within 2 to 3 weeks of rain returning. Watering to keep grass green during drought just encourages shallow rooting.
July Action List
- Raise mowing height in hot, dry periods
- Water deeply or not at all (no light sprinkling)
- Leave clippings on the lawn to conserve moisture
- Avoid feeding in extreme heat
- Do not panic if the lawn goes brown
August
August is a month of two halves. Early August can be as challenging as July. But by late August, conditions often improve, and we start thinking about autumn preparation.
✂️ Return to Normal Mowing
As temperatures moderate, you can start lowering the mowing height. Do it gradually over 2 to 3 cuts.
📅 Plan Autumn Renovation
If you are planning to scarify and overseed, now is the time to plan it. September is the window you are aiming for.
🧃 Consider Pre-Autumn Feed
Late August can be a good time to start an autumn formulation feed to build strength before renovation work.
🌧️ Welcome the Rain
August showers after a dry July are exactly what your lawn needs. You will be amazed how fast it bounces back.
The key psychological shift in August is from maintenance mode to preparation mode. You are no longer just keeping the lawn alive. You are setting it up for its best growing window of the year.
August Action List
- Gradually return to normal mowing height
- Book equipment if hiring a scarifier
- Order seed and autumn products
- Consider late summer feed (autumn formulation)
- Repair any irrigation damage or worn areas
🍂 Autumn Months
September
September is the single most important month in the lawn care calendar. This is your renovation window. Soil is still warm from summer, nights are getting longer, weed competition is decreasing, and you have months of mild weather ahead for establishment.
🔱 Scarifying Time
Early to mid-September is the prime scarifying time. Remove thatch and moss that has built up over the year.
🌰 Aeration Window
Aerate after scarifying. Whether hollow tine or solid tine, this relieves compaction and improves root growth.
🌱 Overseeding Opportunity
The best time of year to overseed. Soil is warm, air is cool, and the seed has months to establish before summer stress.
🧃 Autumn Feed
Apply autumn fertiliser to support root development and build winter hardiness. Lower nitrogen, higher potassium.
🔬 Why September Is So Special
Grass seed germinates best when soil temperature is 10 to 18°C. In September, soil retains summer warmth while air temperatures have cooled. This means rapid germination without the stress of summer heat or the risk of drought. New grass then has October, November, and often into December of root growth before going dormant. Come spring, it is properly established.
The September renovation sequence goes like this: mow low, scarify, aerate (optional but recommended), overseed, top dress (optional), feed, water if needed. This is covered in detail in our scarifying guide and overseeding guide.
Autumn Lawn Builder is formulated specifically for this period. The 12-4-12 ratio provides moderate nitrogen for recovery after renovation, phosphorus for root development, and potassium to build stress tolerance. It is what I use on every lawn I work on.
• South England: Mid September ideal
• Midlands/Wales: Early to mid September
• Northern England: Early September
• Scotland: Late August to early September
• Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland: Early to mid September
September Action List
- Scarify to remove thatch and moss
- Aerate compacted areas
- Overseed thin or bare patches
- Apply appropriate fertiliser
- Keep newly seeded areas moist
- Continue mowing, but raise the height slightly
October
October is about recovery and establishment. If you did renovation work in September, you'll see the results then. New grass should be coming through, and the existing lawn should be thickening up.
✂️ Continue Mowing
Growth slows but does not stop. Keep mowing as needed, raising height as the month progresses.
🍂 Leaf Management
Fallen leaves left on the lawn block light and encourage disease. Clear them regularly or mow over them to mulch.
🌱 Last Overseeding Chance
Early October is the last realistic window for overseeding in most areas. After mid-October, the soil gets too cold.
🌿 Second Autumn Feed?
If you feed early September and the lawn is still growing well, a light application in October keeps momentum going.
🔬 What Happens Underground
While top growth slows, root activity continues in October. The plant is diverting energy from leaf production to root development and carbohydrate storage. This is why autumn feeding matters. You are fuelling root growth and winter preparation, not just green leaves.
Do not be tempted to put the mower away too early. Grass that goes into winter too long is prone to disease and snow mould. Keep it tidy until growth genuinely stops.
October Action List
- Mow as needed (do not let it get too long)
- Clear leaves regularly
- Final overseeding if needed (early October only)
- Consider second autumn feed
- Service mower before storing
November
November marks the transition out of the growing season for most of the UK. The focus shifts from active maintenance to protection and preparation for winter. We generally do not get a lot of frost in November, that tends to come more in December.
✂️ Final Mow
Get in a final mow before conditions make it impossible. Raise the height slightly for winter.
🌿 Seaweed and Iron Application
November is a great month to start applying seaweed and iron. The iron blackens the moss and holds it back through winter while the seaweed supports soil health.
🍂 Keep Clearing Leaves
Trees drop most leaves in November. Stay on top of clearing them, especially in wet weather. Leaves left sitting will smother the grass.
🔧 Get the Mower Serviced
Book your mower in for a service now. Avoids the spring rush and means you are ready to go when growth starts next year.
🧹 Address Drainage Issues
If areas of your lawn hold water, November is when it shows. Note these areas for work next year.
🔧 Store Equipment
Clean spreaders and sprayers, drain fuel from equipment you will not use over winter or add stabiliser.
A combination of Seaweed Lawn Booster and Green Shot Iron in November helps maintain colour through winter, blackens and dehydrates the moss, and supports soil health. This combination works well through the winter months.
In the South of England, you might still be mowing in November. Further north, the lawn is effectively dormant. Either way, the principle is the same: keep it tidy, keep it clear of debris, and do not damage it with traffic.
November Action List
- Final mow when conditions allow
- Clear fallen leaves regularly
- Apply seaweed and iron for moss control and colour
- Get the mower serviced
- Clean and store equipment
- Note any problem areas for next year
December
December is essentially a rest month for your lawn, and for you. There is almost nothing that needs doing, and plenty that you should avoid.
🚫 Stay Off When Frozen
As with January, walking on frozen grass causes lasting damage. Keep off until it thaws.
🧹 Clear Debris After Storms
Winter storms drop branches and debris. Remove them when conditions allow.
📝 Plan Next Year
Review what worked and what did not. Order products early while stocks are good.
😌 Enjoy the Break
Seriously. The lawn does not need you right now. Take the time off.
December Action List
- Stay off frozen or waterlogged lawn
- Clear any storm debris
- Plan next year's programme
- Early product ordering
Quick Reference: Monthly Task Overview
This table gives you a snapshot of the year. Use it as a quick reminder, but always adjust for your specific conditions and region.
| Month | Mowing | Feeding | Key Tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | If growth | Light feed (Autumn at low rate) | Aerate high traffic areas, edge lawn, service mower |
| Feb | Possibly South | No | Moss treatment, debris clearance |
| Mar | First cuts | Spring feed | Start regular maintenance |
| Apr | Weekly | If needed | Weed control, overseeding patches |
| May | Weekly/twice | Transition to summer | Last weed treatment window |
| Jun | Weekly | Summer feed | Seaweed application, disease watch |
| Jul | Raise height | Avoid in heat | Water wisely, accept dormancy |
| Aug | Return to normal | Late month OK | Plan autumn renovation |
| Sep | Continue | Autumn feed | RENOVATE: scarify, aerate, overseed |
| Oct | As needed | Second autumn? | Leaf clearance, last overseeding |
| Nov | Final mow | Seaweed + Iron | Blacken moss, clear leaves, service mower |
| Dec | No | No | Stay off, plan next year |
Know Exactly How Much Product You Need
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start feeding my lawn in spring UK?
Start feeding when the grass is actively growing, not just when the calendar says spring. In the South of England, this is often mid March. In the Midlands and Northern Ireland, late March is typical. In Scotland and Northern England, early April is more realistic. Look for the grass putting on height and greening up properly before applying fertiliser.
When is the best time to scarify a lawn in the UK?
The best time to scarify is early to mid September. The soil is still warm from summer, the air is cooler which reduces stress on the grass, and there are months of growing time left for recovery. Spring scarifying is possible but less ideal because the lawn has to face summer stress before it has fully recovered.
How often should I feed my lawn UK?
We recommend feeding every 10 weeks during the growing season. This can be a mix of seaweed and iron applications in the late autumn and winter months, coupled with granular fertilisers in spring, summer and autumn. For lawns with free draining or sandy soil, you may also benefit from a granular feed around January, especially if you have done any autumn seeding that needs supporting through winter.
Can I overseed my lawn in spring?
Yes, you can overseed in spring (April/May), but autumn (September) is better. Spring seeding has to compete with weeds, risk drought in summer before establishment, and lacks the long mild growing period that autumn provides. If you must seed in spring, keep the area well watered and avoid any weed treatment for at least 6 weeks.
When should I apply moss killer to my lawn?
Late winter (February) or early autumn (September/October) are the best times to tackle moss. Iron based products like Green Shot Iron blacken and dehydrate the moss, making it easy to rake out. In late winter, treat the moss before the grass starts competing, then rake out the blackened moss and feed. In early autumn, you can treat moss before or after scarifying, then the grass has time to fill in the gaps. Avoid treating in summer heat or winter freeze.
What height should I cut my lawn UK?
For most UK lawns, 25 to 40mm is ideal for general use. Fine ornamental lawns can go lower at 15 to 25mm. In summer heat or drought, raise the height to 40 to 50mm to help the grass cope with stress. Never remove more than one third of the blade height in a single cut.
Should I water my lawn during a hosepipe ban?
Follow local water restrictions. The good news is that established UK lawns rarely die from drought. They go dormant and turn brown, but recover when rain returns. Prioritise watering newly seeded or newly turfed areas if any exemptions apply. Established lawns can wait.
When should I aerate my lawn?
The best time is September, ideally as part of your autumn renovation alongside scarifying and overseeding. You can also aerate in spring (April) if needed. Avoid aerating when the soil is too wet (it just creates a mess) or too dry (the tines cannot penetrate properly).
Is it too late to feed my lawn in October?
Not at all. October feeding with an autumn formulation (lower nitrogen, higher potassium) is excellent for building winter hardiness and supporting root development. The grass may not show much top growth, but it is actively growing roots and storing energy. Just avoid high nitrogen feeds which push soft growth that will not survive winter.
Why is my lawn different from my neighbour's?
Lawns vary enormously based on soil type, aspect (sun vs shade), grass species present, how they have been treated historically, and local microclimate. Even neighbouring gardens can be quite different. This is why you need to watch your lawn rather than just follow a calendar. Your lawn tells you what it needs if you pay attention.
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Shop FertilisersThis guide is part of the iGrow Carpet Learning Hub. For video guides on specific topics, check out our Spring Masterclass, Summer Guide, and Autumn Tips.
