As winter fades and spring arrives, many lawns emerge looking patchy, moss-covered, or full of weeds. March is the perfect time to start repairing winter damage, ensuring your grass grows lush, green, and healthy for the months ahead.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to tackle moss, weeds, and bare patches so your lawn recovers quickly and looks its best throughout the growing season.
1. Tackling Lawn Moss in March
Moss thrives in damp, compacted, and shaded areas, often spreading over winter. If left unchecked, it chokes out grass and creates uneven, spongy areas.
How to Remove Lawn Moss
✅ Apply a moss killer – Use a product containing iron sulphate (e.g., EverGreen Mosskill or Viano MO Bacter) to blacken and kill moss within a few days.
✅ Scarify (Rake Out the Dead Moss) – A few weeks after applying moss killer, scarify the lawn using a spring-tine rake or scarifier to remove the dead moss.
✅ Improve Drainage – Moss loves poorly drained soil, so aerate compacted areas to improve airflow and water absorption.
🌿 Tip: If your lawn is shady, consider trimming back overhanging branches or using shade-tolerant grass seed to prevent moss returning.
2. Controlling Lawn Weeds Before They Spread
Weeds compete with grass for nutrients and space, often becoming a bigger problem as temperatures rise. March is the best time to tackle weeds before they take hold.
How to Remove Lawn Weeds
✅ Hand-Pull Small Weeds – For dandelions, daisies, or plantain, use a weeding tool to remove them with their roots.
✅ Apply a Selective Lawn Weed Killer – Use a weed killer like Weedol Lawn Weedkiller or Resolva Lawn Weedkiller to target broadleaf weeds while keeping grass safe.
✅ Mow Regularly – Keeping the lawn trimmed helps weaken weeds and encourage grass to outcompete them.
🌿 Tip: Avoid using general weedkillers (like glyphosate) on lawns, as they will kill the grass as well as the weeds!
3. Repairing Bare Patches & Thin Lawns
Winter weather, foot traffic, and pet damage often leave bare spots in the lawn. If left untreated, these patches invite weeds and moss to take over.
How to Fix Bare Patches in March
✅ Loosen the soil – Rake over the bare area to break up compacted soil and remove debris.
✅ Add fresh topsoil or compost – This helps new grass seed establish more easily.
✅ Sow new grass seed – Choose a seed mix that matches your existing lawn (e.g., shade-tolerant, hard-wearing, or fine lawn seed).
✅ Keep moist until germinated – Water lightly every day if conditions are dry.
🌿 Tip: For a quicker fix, use patch repair kits like Miracle-Gro Patch Magic, which contain seed, feed, and coir for rapid growth.
4. Aeration & Overseeding for a Thicker Lawn
If your lawn feels spongy or compacted, aeration and overseeding will help revitalise growth.
How to Aerate Your Lawn
✅ Use a garden fork – Push it into the soil every 10–15cm to create small holes for better air and water flow.
✅ For heavy compaction, use a hollow-tine aerator – This removes small plugs of soil, improving drainage and reducing moss growth.
How to Overseed for a Lusher Lawn
✅ Rake the surface to expose soil.
✅ Scatter fresh grass seed over thin areas.
✅ Lightly rake again to ensure seed makes contact with soil.
✅ Water regularly until new grass establishes.
🌿 Tip: Apply a spring lawn feed after overseeding to help young grass establish quickly.
5. Feeding Your Lawn for Strong Spring Growth
A well-fed lawn grows thicker and healthier, making it more resistant to weeds and moss.
Best Lawn Feeds for March
✅ Spring Lawn Feed (High in Nitrogen) – Use EverGreen Complete 4 in 1 or Westland SafeLawn to boost growth and green up your lawn.
✅ Organic Options – Use seaweed-based feeds or compost tea for a natural, chemical-free approach.
✅ Feed After Mowing – Apply fertiliser after your first or second cut of the year for best results.
🌿 Tip: Avoid feeding your lawn too early if frosts are still expected, as new growth can be damaged by cold weather.
6. Mowing Tips for a Healthy Lawn
March is often when gardeners give their lawn its first cut of the year—but mowing too soon or too short can damage the grass.
How to Mow Your Lawn in March
✅ Wait for dry weather – Mow only when the grass is dry to the touch.
✅ Use a high setting – Cut no more than one-third of the grass height to avoid stressing the lawn.
✅ Sharpen your mower blades – Dull blades tear rather than cut, making grass vulnerable to disease.
🌿 Tip: If your lawn is still weak after winter, delay the first cut until late March/early April to give it time to recover.
March Lawn Rescue: Step-by-Step Action Plan
🌱 Week 1: Lawn Health Check
- Walk around the lawn, identifying moss, weeds, and bare patches.
- Check soil condition and drainage—note any waterlogged or compacted areas.
🍃 Week 2: Treat Moss & Weeds
- Apply moss killer and lawn weedkiller.
- Scarify (rake out dead moss) after 2–3 weeks if needed.
🌾 Week 3: Aerate & Overseed
- Aerate compacted soil to improve drainage.
- Spread grass seed over bare patches and lightly rake in.
🌿 Week 4: First Mow & Feed
- Mow on a dry day at a high setting.
- Apply a spring feed for greener, healthier growth.
Final Thoughts: A Healthier Lawn by April!
March is the perfect month to give your lawn some TLC after winter. By tackling moss, weeds, and bare patches now, you’ll set the stage for a lush, green lawn that looks great all year round.
Need Help Restoring Your Lawn?
If your lawn needs professional moss removal, aeration, overseeding, or feeding, Project Garden is here to help!
📞 Call 07795 800 772
📧 Email info@projectgarden.co.uk
🌿 Book your lawn care visit today and get your grass looking its best!