Three garden tasks to do in December for ‘thick and green’ lawn by spring

A DIY fan has shared the three tasks you should complete in winter to ensure a healthy by spring.

Ben posted some handy tips in a video for his 62,000 followers on . He said: “How to keep your yard healthy over the winter.

“I like to start by aerating, then over-seed with a good quality grass seed and finish with a fertiliser (slow release is best). Come spring your lawn will still look healthy. Thick and green.”

People seemed to be appreciative of Ben’s advice as one commenter left a string of heart-eye emojis in his comments section. But do the tips actually work?

There definitely can be benefits to aerating your lawn in December. It aids drainage, which can prevent your garden from becoming waterlogged by heavy rainfall. What’s more, it allows the grassroots to breathe and have better access to water and rainfall.

However, you should be very careful when disturbing your lawn during winter. In the colder months, grass is typically dormant. Aerating at this time can stress the lawn unnecessarily, as the grass roots are not actively growing and won’t quickly fill in the aeration holes. Additionally, the soil might be too hard if frozen, making aeration difficult.

When taking this step, we recommend focusing on soil that has become compacted. You can carefully create holes with a fork instead of using a heavy-duty machine. Focus on areas that need it – and avoid parts of your garden that have frosted or become wet.

While overseeding tends to be more effective when it’s not frosty outside, you can see some positive results by doing it in December. The practice of sowing seeds in December is known as ‘dormant seeding’ and can be a game-changer when it comes to filling in bare spots and preventing pesky weeds from coming through in the spring.

And finally, Ben’s advice to apply fertiliser to your grass can be beneficial. Just make sure you’re using a product that’s suitable for wintertime – preferably something that’s low in nitrogen and high in potassisum. This aids root growth and can strengthen your lawn.

More ways to look after your garden in December

1. Protect plants from frost and cold: Use horticultural fleece, cloches, or mulch to protect sensitive plants from frost damage.
2. Tidy up: Rake up fallen leaves to prevent them from smothering your lawn and flowerbeds. You can compost or use them to make leaf mold.
3. Prepare fo spring: Dig over empty flower beds and vegetable plots, incorporating organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil structure and fertility. Conider buying seeds and bulbs for the new year.
4. Care for the lawn: Avoid walking on grass during frost to prevent damage. Be careful not to stress the lawn during tasks like aeration.