The main advantage is soil temperature. By spring, the ground has warmed enough to encourage strong root growth, but it hasn’t yet dried out. Turf needs consistent moisture to establish, and spring naturally provides this through regular rainfall (hopefully much less than we experienced at the beginning of the year). This reduces the amount of watering you need to do yourself, which is especially helpful if you’re covering a large area with new turf.

Spring also offers a long growing season ahead. Turf laid now has several months to bed in before the stresses of summer. Roots can develop properly, the surface can level out and any joins between rolls have time to knit together seamlessly. For returfing, this is particularly useful as patches that suffered from winter waterlogging, moss or compaction can be replaced early, giving the lawn time to recover and blend evenly.

Another practical benefit is that spring weather is generally easier to work in. The ground is softer, making preparation such as removing old turf, levelling soil and adding topsoil much more manageable. You’re also less likely to face the extremes that complicate turfing later in the year, such as heatwaves or prolonged dry spells of last summer.

For new lawns, spring provides a good balance of daylight, warmth and moisture to get turf off to a strong start. Whether you’re landscaping, reshaping borders or creating an area for the family to enjoy, turf laid now establishes quickly and is usually ready for light use within a few weeks.

Overall, spring gives you the best chance of achieving a healthy, resilient lawn with minimal maintenance needs. It’s a season that naturally supports the process, making it both practical and efficient for homeowners and landscapers alike.

Lastly, if you are returfing and need topsoil, we can also supply this. Click here for more information.

Key Points

• Ideal growing conditions as warmer soil and regular rainfall helps new turf root quickly and evenly.
• Long establishment period as turf laid in spring has months to strengthen before summer stress.
• Easier preparation with softer ground and mild weather making soil work and installation more manageable.

We supply quality turf all year round.  If you would like further advice on lawn care or would like to talk to us about your order, please contact us on 01392 231040 or email sales@wesellturf.com

When is the right time to mow?
The first mow of the season should happen once the grass is actively growing and the ground is firm underfoot. If your lawn is still waterlogged, hold off. Mowing wet soil can cause compaction and ruts as well as damaging fragile new growth. Choose a dry day and make sure the grass isn’t saturated.

Don’t cut too low
One of the most common mistakes people make is to mow very short. This is not a good idea at this time of year, especially after the first growth spurt. Scalping the lawn weakens grass, exposes soil and invites weeds and moss to take hold. A simple rule is the “one-third rule”: never remove more than one third of the grass height in a single cut. Keeping grass slightly longer early in the season helps it establish stronger roots and improves drought resilience later on.

How often should you mow?
Frequency depends on growth, but as a guide, mowing once a week during spring is usually ideal. During periods of rapid growth you may need to mow weekly, while in slower growth it can be less frequent. Regular mowing is a good thing as it encourages thicker turf by promoting lateral growth rather than tall, thin blades.

Seasonal lawn care tips

Check your mower blades. Sharp blades cut cleanly, while dull ones tear grass, leading to browning and stress. Some people go for a full service, offered by some great independent local businesses. One we would personally recommend is M&D Hire in Dawlish.

Spring is also the perfect time to give your lawn some attention beyond mowing. Light scarifying can remove thatch and improve airflow, while aerating compacted areas helps water and nutrients reach the roots. If your lawn looks tired after winter, applying a spring feed can support healthy colour and growth.

Returfing is also worth considering if winter has left your lawn with large bare patches, persistent moss, or areas that simply haven’t recovered. Spring provides ideal conditions for new turf to establish thanks to milder temperatures and increased moisture in the soil. Prepare the ground by removing debris, levelling the surface, and improving soil quality as this will help new turf root quickly and create a consistent, healthy finish that blends seamlessly with existing grass.

Set your lawn up for the season
Good mowing habits now shape how your lawn performs all year. Start high, mow regularly, and avoid cutting when conditions are too wet or too dry. With the right approach, your lawn will thicken, recover from winter, and stay greener through the warmer months.

Ready, set… mow (just don’t rush it).

Key points

• Start mowing when the lawn is dry and actively growing.
• Keep blades higher and follow the one-third rule.
• Mow regularly and repair or returf damaged areas early.

We supply quality turf all year round.  If you would like further advice on lawn care or would like to talk to us about your order, please contact us on 01392 231040 or email sales@wesellturf.com

The West Country has had an exceptionally wet start to 2026, with January rainfall across Devon and Cornwall at 191% of the long-term average. That’s an extraordinary 264mm. Just look out the window to confirm that the rain is still coming as we move towards the end of February. With the soil saturated and the grass looking tired, it’s no wonder people are eyeing their gardens with mild despair.

But here’s the good news: lawns are far tougher than they look.

Grass is surprisingly resilient. When the ground is waterlogged, the roots might struggle for oxygen temporarily, and you may notice yellowing, moss creeping in, or surface puddling. None of that automatically spells disaster. It’s usually just a sign that the soil needs time and a bit of spring warmth to recover and rebalance.

In fact, the bigger risk right now isn’t the rain itself. It’s us.

Walking repeatedly over saturated ground compacts the soil, squeezing out air pockets and making drainage worse. Dragging the mower out during a brief dry spell can tear soft turf and create ruts. Panic-fertilising can encourage weak, sappy growth that won’t thank you later. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your lawn is absolutely nothing.

When conditions improve, temperatures rise and the ground begins to dry, that’s the time to:

• Gently rake out moss and debris.
• Aerate compacted areas with a fork to improve airflow.
• Returf any bare patches.
• Resume mowing gradually, keeping blades on the higher side at first.

Most lawns bounce back remarkably quickly once warmth and light return. Grass roots can survive short periods of waterlogging, especially in established lawns with decent soil structure. A soggy February does not mean a ruined summer.

It’s also worth remembering that a wet winter can have upsides. We’ve been hearing jokes about hosepipe bans coming despite the weather, but we have hope for full reservoirs over the summer. Come July, you might even be quietly grateful for all this rain.

So yes, it’s been wet, what you might call ‘properly’ wet. But before you write off your lawn as a lost cause, give it time. Spring has a way of performing small miracles, and your grass is far more patient than you think.

Key points

• Waterlogged doesn’t mean ruined
• Heavy footfall, early mowing and panic feeding cause more damage than the rain
• Warmer soil and a little TLC will help a fast, natural recovery.

We supply quality turf all year round.  If you would like further advice on lawn care or would like to talk to us about your order, please contact us on 01392 231040 or email sales@wesellturf.com

Moss

If moss is starting to spread across your lawn, it’s rarely the grass itself that’s the problem. Moss thrives in damp, shaded conditions, which are much more obvious during the winter months. The most common causes are:

• Poor drainage
• Compacted soil
• Shade from buildings, fences or trees
• Constant damp or surface water

Winter rain and lower evaporation rates simply highlight these underlying problems. If moss is left untreated, it will continue to outcompete grass when growth resumes in spring.

Muddy patches

When areas of your lawn turn to mud, it’s usually because the soil beneath has become compacted and can no longer drain properly. Water sits on the surface instead of soaking in, leaving the grass roots starved of oxygen. This is especially common in high-traffic areas such as:

• Walkways and shortcuts
• Dog runs
• Kids play areas
• Drive-on or access points

If you’re planning to lay new turf in spring, these areas should be addressed now. Improving drainage and relieving compaction before turf goes down makes a huge difference to how well it establishes.

Yellow or pale grass

Cold weather puts grass into a dormant state, so yellowing or pale patches don’t mean the lawn is dying. Once temperatures rise, healthy grass will naturally green up again.

Bare patches

Unlike colour changes, bare or thinning areas won’t recover without help. If you can already see bald patches in January, they will still be there in spring — and often worse. Winter is the ideal time to repair, prepare or returf these areas so your lawn is ready when growth begins again.

Key points

• Moss and mud mean soil problems, not grass problems
• Discolouration is normal, but bare patches are not
• Winter is the best time to prepare for spring success

We supply quality turf all year round.  If you would like further advice on lawn care or would like to talk to us about your order, please contact us on 01392 231040 or email sales@wesellturf.com