Winter Lawn Care Calendar for Fine & Garden Lawns (UK)
Winter is often seen as a quiet time for lawns, but for fine lawns and well-kept garden lawns, it’s a critical period. Good winter care helps prevent disease, reduces damage, and ensures your lawn comes through to spring in the best possible condition.
November – Early Winter Preparation
As growth slows, the emphasis shifts from mowing to protection and observation. Key tasks include a final mowing at a slightly raised height, clearing debris, and improving drainage if needed.
December – Monitoring & Protection
Now, lawns are largely dormant. Watch out for fungal diseases like fusarium and red thread. Keep the lawn clean and avoid walking on it during frost.
January – Midwinter Vigilance
Check for pest damage like leatherjackets or chafer grubs. Minimal disturbance is key—just monitor and keep the lawn surface clear.
February – Preparing for Spring
Assess any disease impact and plan ahead for spring repairs. Light aeration on mild days can help.
Winter Mowing: Adapting to a Changing Climate
Unlike traditional advice, it’s now beneficial to mow occasionally on dry winter days. Just remember the one-third rule: only cut the top third of the grass to maintain healthy growth and reduce disease risk.
Managing Worm Casts During Winter
Worm activity often increases during mild, wet winter weather, leading to the appearance of worm casts on the lawn surface. While worms are beneficial for soil health, casts left on the surface can cause smearing, surface compaction, and poor turf quality if not managed correctly.
Best practice for dealing with worm casts:
- Wait for a dry day when the casts have dried out
- Brush gently using a yard brush, swish, or witch’s broom brush
- When dry, the casts will shatter and disintegrate, returning fine soil back into the turf surface
- Avoid brushing when casts are wet, as this will smear the soil across the grass, sealing the surface and increasing the risk of disease
Regular light brushing under the right conditions helps maintain a clean, open sward and prevents surface damage throughout the winter months.
