Lawn care warning: this common mistake could kill your grass and lead to a moss invasion

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu):Lawns in winter endure a lot due to the wet and cold weather and even with the best intentions gardeners can sometimes make things worse. While there are many beneficial preparation tasks to do ahead of time that will help your lawn thrive in spring and summer, some tasks should be avoided—one of which is scarifying during the winter months. According to gardening experts at Fantastic Gardeners, scarifying your lawn in winter is a huge mistake. Doing so at the wrong time can “make or break” all the hard work you’ve put into maintaining a beautiful garden. Scarifying during the offseason can cause your lawn to either “not recover at all” or face “more problems.” The experts warn that “winter scarifying must be avoided at all costs.” From November to February, the cold temperatures cause the grass to go dormant, and attempting any raking during this time can lead to frost heave or a moss invasion, leaving your lawn worse off than before.

Even though the warmer temperatures and sunshine in March may tempt you to start scarifying, the soil is still too cold from winter and needs more time to warm up. March is a great month for planning and preparing, but it’s not yet the ideal time for scarifying. The experts recommend avoiding the summer months of June, July, and August for scarifying as well. These months are too hot and dry, making grass recovery slow, and scarifying will leave your lawn vulnerable to the heat. During this time, the grass will dry out and become poorly recoverable.

So, when is the perfect time for scarifying? The ideal window is during spring, around April, when temperatures are rising, and the growth rate of your grass is at its highest. If you miss this opportunity, early autumn—late August to early September—also presents a good window for light scarifying. During these times, your lawn will recover well and thrive.

As tempting as it may be to give in to the warmer days waiting for the right time to scarify your lawn will ensure the health and recovery of your grass. Just as we wait for the right moment in life, your garden needs the right conditions to flourish.