The Lawn Care Guide – May

Sitting quietly, doing nothing, Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself. - Zen

All it needed was some rain and a warm spell and away it goes, full of energy and growing like crazy.

Weed might be a problem and a selective weedkiller may be required, following the directions on the label or pack. To stand up to the hard time we give it, the lawn may need a spring feed if not already done, followed by another in late summer.


Alternatively, applying a slow-release fertiliser in early May will probably be enough to see the grass through to Spring next year.

Whatever we do to the lawn, and often we give it a hard time, it springs back with vigour and calls out to be mowed. The trouble is, the more we mow the more we’re removing the lawn’s energy, so the cutting height is always important, lowering it gradually to summer height.

Sometimes an autumn feed may be required if the grass shows signs the soil is deficient. You have the choice of liquid or granular feeds and whichever you use it’s important to follow the instructions for application rates. Overdo it and you scorch the grass and, equally, if you use granular feed and there’s no rain after a couple of days, it will need watering to avoid the scorch. Sometimes in May there are prolonged dry spells and that might also call for watering.

Last month we talked about moss and how it can be dealt with organically. If moss persists you can apply lawn sand, which is a mixture of sulphate of iron: Fe (ferrous sulphate) and nitrogen (N) in the right measure. Ensure the lawn is watered thoroughly after application. The nitrogen will encourage grass growth while the nitrogen kills the moss. You will have the black residue which needs removing with a spring tine rake.