Spring into Action: April Lawn Care Tips for a Lush Irish Garden
April in Ireland marks the real start of the growing season. With longer days, and the milder temperatures we’ve seen in the past few weeks, and a touch of moisture still lingering in the soil, it's the perfect time to show your lawn a little TLC. Whether you're a green-fingered gardener or just starting out, here are some practical tips to get your lawn in top shape ahead of the summer months.
1. Rake Out the Old and Make Way for the New
After a damp Irish winter, your lawn may be littered with dead grass, moss, and fallen leaves. Start April with a good scarifying session using a spring-tine rake or a powered scarifier. This helps remove thatch and moss, letting light, water, and air reach the grassroots where it's needed most. Scarifying your grass should be carried out at least once a year during Springtime or early Autumn before frosty weather. Avoid scarifying if the ground is still soggy, it's best to wait until you've had a few dry days.
2. First Cuts: Start Mowing Gently
By April, the grass starts to wake up. Begin mowing once a week, but don’t go in too heavy too soon. Set your mower blades high for the first few cuts, this helps avoid shocking the grass and lets it ease back into growing. As the month progresses and the growth becomes more vigorous, gradually reduce the cutting height.
3. Feed for a Green Revival
A spring lawn feed can make a world of difference. Choose a balanced lawn feed such as our Nature Safe Lawn Feed 10kg this is a 100% organic fertiliser and grass seed that feeds and enriches the soil while also thickening the lawn and suppressing the weeds. For lawns with moss, use a combined feed, weed, and moss killer such as our Greenforce 4in1 Lawn Feed Weed & Mosskiller. This product feeds the grass, eliminates weeds and moss all in one step. April is the sweet spot for tackling these issues before summer sets in.
4. Over-seeding Patchy Areas
Noticed bare patches in your lawns after the Winter period? April is ideal for over-seeding. Rake the area to loosen the soil and remove any debris or moss. Scatter a quality grass seed suited to your lawn type, then lightly cover with a thin layer of compost or topsoil to help with moisture retention and protect from birds. Keep the area moist (especially during dry spells), and you should see new growth in 2–3 weeks giving your lawn a more even, lush look just in time for summer.
5. Aerate If Needed
If your lawn feels compacted or stays soggy after rain, it’s a good time to aerate. Use a garden fork or hollow-tine aerator to create small holes across the lawn this improves drainage, allows air to reach the roots, and helps prevent moss buildup.
You can also brush in some compost or sand to enhance soil structure. Aerating now encourages deeper root growth and sets your lawn up to handle summer dry spells much better.
6. Weed Out the Competition
Dandelions, daisies, and other broadleaf weeds start to emerge in April. Dig them out by hand or use a selective lawn weed killer from our Greenforce range. Catching them early prevents them from spreading and competing with your grass.
Looking Ahead to Summer
Everything you do in April sets the stage for a lush, resilient lawn in the Summer. Keep feeding every 6–8 weeks, mow regularly, and keep an eye out for pests like leatherjackets or chafer grubs by using our Nature Safe Plant Pest Defence. With consistent care now, you’ll have a vibrant green lawn that’s ready for summer parties, barefoot strolls, or just admiring from the garden bench with a cuppa.
Happy Gardening!