How to Care for Your Lawn: 5 Expert Lawn Care Tips for Beginners

Revive your tired lawn with our expert lawn care tips for keeping grass lush and healthy.

A healthy, green lawn is the foundation of any beautiful garden — but it doesn’t happen by accident. Whether you're maintaining an established lawn or laying down fresh turf, proper lawn care can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ll share expert tips on how to care for your lawn throughout the year to keep your grass thriving.

If you're looking for professional help, Gardenscapes® offers a range of lawn care services, from expert turf installation to routine maintenance, across Holmfirth, Huddersfield, and the wider Yorkshire region.

1) Mow your lawn often & not to short.

One of the most common lawn care mistakes is cutting your grass too short. Keeping your lawn around 2.5 to 3 inches tall helps promote stronger roots and prevents weeds.

Top tip: Never cut more than one-third of the grass height at a time.

During the summer, aim to trim your lawn at least once a week, and during spring, autumn, and mild winters, every two weeks should suffice. Regular mowing stimulates the roots to extend, which fills in bare spots and deters weed growth. In hotter weather, consider raising your mower’s cutting height to roughly 5-10cm; this extra length can prevent your lawn from browning during dry spells. Always ensure your mower is well-maintained and that the blades are sharp for the best cut.

If you’d rather not worry about the mower, check out our lawn mowing service, designed to keep your lawn looking neat and healthy all year round.

2) Water your lawn.

Watering your lawn correctly is key to encouraging deep root growth and long-term health. It’s better to water thoroughly once or twice a week rather than little and often, as this helps your lawn become more drought-resistant.

Newly laid turf or recently seeded lawns should be watered regularly to help them establish, but be careful not to overdo it — too much water can lead to shallow root systems and poor development.

Whenever possible, try using collected rainwater or recycled grey water from your bath or washing up to reduce your reliance on mains water. While sprinklers are an effective way to keep your lawn hydrated, they use a high volume of water and may be restricted during hosepipe bans.

Don’t panic if your established lawn turns brown during a dry spell — it’s simply gone dormant. Once the rain returns, it will usually recover and green up again on its own.

3) Should you feed your lawn?

You may think that just like plants, your lawn needs nutrients to stay lush and green. However, Most lawns can thrive without the need for regular feeding. Manufactured fertilisers, especially synthetic ones, often require significant energy and resources to produce and can have a negative impact on the environment during their manufacturing process. In addition, research has shown that synthetic fertilisers may reduce populations of beneficial microbes in the soil — including fungi, bacteria, and other micro-organisms — which can lead to a gradual decline in soil health and natural fertility over time.

If your lawn does need a boost, opt for organic feeds and mulches. These natural options support the soil’s existing ecosystem by working alongside beneficial microbes and insects, helping to build a healthier, more sustainable lawn over time.

In autumn, look for organic lawn treatments that contain seaweed or other plant-based ingredients. You can also use homemade compost or well-rotted leaf mould — just make sure it’s finely sieved and lightly brushed across the surface of the lawn. This ensures an even application without blocking sunlight from reaching the grass blades.

4) Weed your lawn.

Even well-maintained lawns can occasionally fall victim to common weeds such as dandelions, clover, moss, and plantains. These weeds can quickly spread and compete with your grass for space, light, and nutrients. Broad-leaf varieties like dandelions and plantains can smother large patches of turf with their wide, flat leaves, but they’re often easy to remove by hand using a trowel or daisy grubber.

Other fast-spreading weeds like yellow medick, buttercups, and clover can be weakened over time by simply raking the lawn before mowing — this lifts them upright, allowing the mower blades to catch more of their foliage. This technique, when done regularly, can help reduce their presence without the need for harsh chemicals.

Chemical weedkillers can be costly and aren’t always the best solution, as they don’t address the root cause — poor lawn health. Instead, focus on strengthening your lawn through proper maintenance and, where possible, try gentler alternatives such as homemade weed treatments if intervention is needed. Healthy, dense grass is the best natural defence against weeds.

5) Consider Fresh Turfing for a New Lawn

If your current lawn is patchy, weed-ridden, or simply beyond repair, or if you’re designing a brand-new outdoor space, fresh turf installation can be a quick and effective solution. Unlike seeding, which takes time to grow and requires careful nurturing, laying turf gives you an instant, even green lawn that looks impressive from day one. It provides a smooth, level surface that’s free from weeds and helps to establish a strong, healthy foundation for long-term lawn care.

Fresh turf not only boosts the appearance of your garden immediately but also reduces the time and effort needed to get your outdoor space looking its best. When installed professionally using high-quality turf and proper preparation techniques, your new lawn will root quickly and thrive with the right aftercare.

Conclusion

With the right approach — and the right help — caring for your lawn can be simple and rewarding. Whether you're looking to revitalise your garden, lay new turf, or stay on top of weed control, Gardenscapes® is here to help.

Ready to transform your lawn? Explore our lawn care services, garden maintenance or turfing solutions to get started today.