1. Scarify

The best way to get rid of the rubbish is to scarify the lawn with a springtime rake to remove moss, thatch (dead grass below the living shoots), and any other debris smothering the grass. This will let in much-needed light and oxygen, promoting better growth.

2. Aerate

Getting oxygen down into the soil, improving drainage so your lawn doesn’t become waterlogged, and reducing compaction can all be achieved by aerating your lawn. To do this, you can either drive a garden fork into patches of your lawn which have particularly poor drainage, working it backwards and forwards to enlarge the holes, which should be at about 15cm intervals.

3. Feed the grass

Feed the grass with lawn fertiliser available at most garden centres. This can be done by hand, and follow the instructions to make sure you’ve added the right quantities before watering it in. Some lawn dressings incorporate a slow-release fertiliser but if this isn’t the case, add a little amount of general lawn fertiliser (not containing weed or moss killer) before applying it. Make sure you brush it evenly over the area, or it will become patchy when the fertiliser kicks in. A few weeks later, if your lawn is still patchy, oversow it lightly with a quality lawn seed.

4. Mow

Mowing should certainly not be done when the grass is wet or frozen – don’t even walk on it in those conditions. Wait until the grass is actively growing, when the weather has warmed up. When the grass is about 8cm high, you can cut it for the first time. But make sure the mower blades are sharp and set them high – and don’t leave your clippings on the lawn in spring.

5. Treat for Moss

With very damp weather in Ireland we need to keep on top of moss. If left untreated the moss can overtake your grass if you have damp conditions. Treat with Sulphate of iron or a high potassium fertiliser called Osmo or Mo Bacter.