Monty Don has revealed there are numerous tasks homeowners must prioritise this April to ensure their gardens remain attractive. The horticultural specialist stressed that the key areas requiring attention are maintaining control and 'resisting the temptation' when it comes to lawn care.

In guidance shared on his April 2024 blog, he advised that throughout next monshorter-grass areas for recreation, leisure, and everyday use longer grass encourages greater wildlife and can appear equally stunning. He also recommended maintaining some shorter grass areas for recreation, leisure, and everyday purposes.

Talking about a common mistake, the Gardeners' World host explained: "Whatever your grass-cutting inclinations, resist the temptation to scalp your grass down to its midsummer height. Set the blades high and just trim the grass for the first few weeks as much to even it out as to reduce it.

"Then, as the weather gets warmer and the grass starts to grow more strongly, gradually reduce the height over a few weeks but always keeping it slightly on the long side. This will result in a much healthier, greener sward."

In his other tips, he suggests:

• Mow only essential sections, such as pathways or small areas
• Avoid cutting the grass too short at the start of the season
• Begin with a higher mower blade setting and do light trims initially
• Lower the cutting height gradually as growth picks up, but keep the grass a bit longer
• This approach promotes healthier, greener grass
• Compost grass clippings, combining them with dry materials (e.g. straw or cardboard) to prevent excess moisture

Next month, you will also need to weed, plant perennials, mulch, and sow seeds. But you should keep it simple, he warns, as there's still time. So if you've missed earlier tasks, do them now or wait until next winter.

Mowing in March is possible, but keep it gentle and avoid cutting excessively short. In his March 2024 Monty Don blog, he explains that light trimming encourages stronger root development and enhances drought resistance.

But in March, even as it's coming to an end, you should concentrate on healthy turf, often signals inadequate drainage orct, healthy grass typically manages these concerns naturally. The gardening guru noted that healthy grass requires well-drained soil and that moss presence frequently signals inadequate drainage and excessive shade.

His other March tips include:

• Aerate the lawn once a year:
  • Push a fork into the ground every 6 inches
  • Wiggle it to loosen compacted soil
• Improve drainage and nutrients:
  • Use a mix of topsoil, sand, and compost (or just sand if needed)
  • Spread it over the lawn and brush into the holes
• Rake the lawn with a wire rake:
  • Removes moss and thatch
  • Let light and water reach the roots
• Compost the debris, then mow. Your grass may look patchy briefly, but it will regrow thicker