March 2025 Lawn Diary

Welcome to the first lawn diary of this year

March is officially here – the kick-off to our lawn care year! But hold your horses (or should I say, hold your mowers?) because it's still a bit early to go full steam ahead with all those spring jobs. Think of March as the "get ready" phase. Get your supplies lined up – you'll thank yourself later. Maybe give the lawn a light trim, a little tickle with the mower, and a dash of Ferrous Sulphate to get things moving.

We're here to help you get your lawn looking fantastic! Many tips and tricks are available, especially for lawns struggling through winter. Dieback, thinning, moss? Our Lawn Trends section has the answers. No disease outbreaks have been reported yet, but if you see anything strange, check out our Pests & Diseases section – better safe than sorry!

This month, in a nutshell

Unpredictable spring weather means it's too early for many jobs. However, there is still much to do: aeration (spiking, not raking!), moss control, equipment checks, and stocking supplies. Here’s a quick "to-do" list to keep you on track this March:

• Worm Castings: Before considering mowing, it's time to address those worm casts. Our Pests & Diseases section below provides all the information you need.
• Moss: Use a Ferrous Sulphate-based moss killer and show that moss who's boss!
• Aerate: Use spikes to aerate your lawn. If the frost has packed its bags well, you can also hollow tine those high-traffic areas.
• Mowing: A light trim on the highest mower setting is all your lawn needs.
• Turfing Time: If you're planning any turfing projects, March is a great time to complete them.

And don't forget to grab these goodies for your lawn care shopping list:

• Ferrous Sulphate
• Lawn Grass Seed
• Lawn Fertiliser
• Lawn Weed Killer

The Weather

Mild spells followed by frost are common, so be cautious with early lawn care. The ground's still soggy, so avoid it when possible. Follow this Lawn Diary's plan! Winter Green is perfect for a post-winter lawn boost if it's mild where you are. Now, here's the Met Office forecast.

Friday 21 Feb - Sunday 2 Mar

Atlantic frontal systems will cross the UK from the west, bringing rain to many regions. The heaviest rainfall is expected in the west and northwest, especially on higher ground, while the east and southeast will see less rain. Strong winds may develop along coasts with possible gales. Some dry periods are anticipated between systems, with lighter winds, sunny spells, and a few showers. Mild temperatures are expected early on.

Monday 3 Mar - Monday 17 Mar

Early March will be unsettled with Atlantic fronts bringing rain, strong winds, and some drier, brighter periods to the UK. As the month progresses, drier, settled conditions are expected, particularly in the south, with temperatures likely above average.

Lawn Trends

Got a soggy or thinning lawn? Don't worry! We've got a ton of helpful articles in our Lawn Trends section, packed with advice on how to get your lawn back on track. These are the most essential and up-to-date articles for this time of year, so check them out.

Mowing the Lawn

You may have trimmed your lawn in southern areas for the New Year. With warmer weather next month, mowing again is tempting. If the ground is firm and dry, proceed! Although it’s early to declare the mowing season open, it's a good opportunity to tidy up and check your mower. Keep the cut high with a light trim, removing only the tips.

Please read our blog, When to Mow the Lawn, for more advice.

Mowers

This is your last chance to sharpen your lawnmower blades! Don’t wait; mower shops will be swamped, and you'll wait weeks to get it back. If you have a petrol mower, consult your manual. You can change the spark plug and oil, clean the air filter, and sharpen or replace the blade. If you're uncomfortable, replace the blade and get professional service annually. For cylinder mowers, blade sharpening is best done by an expert shop.

Check out our Mower Cleaning & Maintenance section for more info.

Fertilising the Lawn

Don't rush to fertilise just because it's March. Unpredictable weather means April is usually better for feeding, though a warm March (especially down south) might allow an early start. For a colour and health boost without growth, use a turf hardener – it strengthens grass, improves disease resistance, and helps with moss.

Here are a couple of products to consider:

• WINTERGREEN 5-0-8 + Iron: This is your go-to option if the wet winter has washed away many nutrients, especially sandy soil. Remember, Winter Green is not a substitute for your regular spring feed. If you use it, wait at least six weeks before applying your spring fertiliser.
• Green-Up Soluble Ferrous Sulphate: If your fertiliser levels are sufficient or you have loam or clay soil, a medium-strength (2g per square meter) application of Green-Up soluble ferrous sulphate is ideal. It will green up your lawn effectively, and since it acts more like a grass "vitamin" than a full feed, it won't impact your spring fertiliser schedule.

Spreading Fertiliser Videos | Spraying Videos | View Fertiliser Range

Weed Control

For weed killers, patience is key. Wait until April; May is better! Tackling weeds too early wastes time and product. You can start manual weeding now, as woodrush and celandine appear early and are hard to kill. If you spot them, hand-digging is the most effective method. Consider it early spring exercise!

This Month's nasties:

• Woodrush Identification
• Celandine Identification

How to Kill Weeds in the Lawn | How to kill weeds video | Weed Killer range

Moss Control

Delay moss removal if March is chilly; your lawn needs warmth to revive. Start only during a mild spell, as the long-range forecast looks favourable, particularly in the Midlands and south.

Apply a ferrous sulphate moss killer after a medium to high mow to minimise further mowing and boost treatment effectiveness. Rake out the moss from mid-March to early April, allowing the killer one to two weeks to work. Early May raking is acceptable if the ground is moist enough for recovery.

After removing the moss, consider your next steps! Overseed bare patches and fertilise to help your lawn thrive.

Check out our Lawn Raking & Scarifying section for all the details.

You don't need to kill moss before raking. However, you should use a ferrous sulphate-based moss killer afterwards to remove any remaining moss. Treating before and after is the best strategy, especially for ongoing moss issues in your lawn.

Our Moss Removal section has more tips and tricks.

We've got you covered for those with kids and pets who will be playing on the lawn soon after treatment! You can now use a chemical-free product in your moss control program.

Check out MossOff in our moss killer products section.

Pro Tip: Applying ferrous sulphate when the grass and moss are damp, like on a dewy morning, helps it penetrate deeper for better results.

Watering the Lawn

Not yet, still too early for this.

Aeration

If the ground is firm and frost-free, begin spot aeration using a garden or hollow tine fork in high-traffic areas. For thorough aeration, spike the entire lawn from mid-March onwards. If covering several square meters, consider aerator sandals or a rolling aerator to speed up the process and boost your heart rate a bit!

How to Aerate, Spike & Hollow Tine a Lawn | See Aerators

Raking & Scarifying

Moss might seem rampant, prompting a quick fix. While applying iron sulphate is beneficial, avoid raking immediately! Traditional advice recommends a two-week wait, but raking too soon can harm your lawn. Wet soil can seal off air to the grassroots, and raking can muddy soft lawns, especially after frost. You don't want to damage your lawn during recovery. Moreover, if grass hasn't grown well, leftover moss will thrive and worsen the problem.

What’s the solution? Timing! Wait until your lawn has had its first two spring cuts to rake safely. You can apply iron sulphate repeatedly after raking for the best results. Check our Moss Control section for more tips to improve your lawn in weeks, not months.

How To Scarify Your Lawn | See The Scarifier

Repairs & Renovations

Before beginning repairs or renovations in March, ensure conditions aren't too soggy. If the surface is firm, it's an ideal time to re-cut edges and address turf repairs. Until the end of March, it's prime for any turfing projects. Visit our New Lawn section for details. If winter has left your lawn sparse and neglected, think about rejuvenation as the weather warms. Our Spring Lawn Repairs blog is a helpful resource.

Pests & Diseases

• Disease: Monitor Fusarium, or "Snow Mould," which appears after snow melts or in damp weather. It signals poor turf health, excessive thatch, limited airflow, soil compaction, or persistent wetness. Don’t worry if you see it; it’s usually not a significant concern for typical lawns, but identifying the cause helps prevent recurrence. Our Fusarium section contains all the information you need on treatment and prevention.
• To keep your lawn in top shape, apply soluble iron at the "turf hardening" rate for enhanced colour and disease protection. This can be done pre-winter or at the first signs of Fusarium. For recovery, use Winter Green fertiliser now, followed by Spring & Summer Fertiliser in April.
• Powdery mildew might still be lurking in some shady spots. Next time you're out in the garden, look for anything that looks like "whitewash" on the grass leaves.
• Pests: Pests can come in all shapes and sizes, from squirrels burying their nuts to birds digging for worms, not to mention toadstools and moles. If you've got any pest problems, our Pests & Diseases section is your go-to guide.
• Worms: A quick word about worms and worm casts... treat for worms promptly, as they can appear in winter, creating muddy casts that complicate spring mowing. Worms enrich your lawn by breaking down organic matter, adding nutrients, and improving aeration, resulting in a healthier lawn. We recommend Ferrous Sulphate to reduce worm casts, though it's not foolproof.

For Ferrous Sulphate | View Fertiliser Range

Rolling the Lawn

If you have a fine, ornamental, or croquet lawn and the ground is firm enough to walk on, a light roll can help reduce frost heave. Otherwise, you can wait until April to do this.

Top Dressing

Top dressing is usually unnecessary for lawns except for ornamental use or croquet. If needed, apply it in April or May along with other lawn renovations like aeration and scarifying.

The New Lawn

Considering a new lawn? Now is the ideal time to begin! While it isn’t quite seeding season yet, it's perfect for laying turf. You can start planning for seeding from April onward.

View Grass Seed Blends

Thanks for visiting the Lawn Diary. Have a great month!