March marks the ideal time for homeowners to revive unruly, moss-infested lawns after winter. Gardening expert Monty Don recommends focusing on one essential task: enhancing grass health through soil aeration rather than direct moss removal.
Address Poor Drainage to Combat Moss
Monty Don explains that healthy grass thrives in well-drained soil. Moss signals poor drainage, often worsened by shade and compaction from roots, rain, and foot traffic. “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,” Monty Don states. “The answer is to work on it at least once a year by sticking a fork in the ground and wiggling it about and repeating the process every six inches or so.”
Waterlogged soil promotes moss growth, rots grass roots, blocks nutrients and sunlight, and leads to patchy spring growth. Piercing the ground with a garden fork aerates the lawn, improving air and water flow to the roots.
Boost Growth with Homemade Mulch
After aeration, apply a nutrient-rich mulch to stimulate growth. Monty Don advises: “Mix up equal portions of sieved topsoil, sharp sand and sieved leaf mould or compost. 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.” This mulch strengthens grass, naturally suppressing weeds and moss while enriching the soil.
Rake, Mow, and Watch Lawns Thrive
Finish by raking with a wire rake to remove thatch, moss, and debris. Monty Don notes: “It is also worth giving the lawn a good scratch with a wire rake. This will get at all the overwintering thatch and moss, and let light and water get to the soil and to the roots of the grass.”
“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.”
These March steps eliminate moss, promote robust growth, and deliver a lush lawn for spring.
