Want a lush lawn for summer? Don't skip this one crucial step in May
To achieve a lush, healthy lawn for summer, homeowners should perform scarification in May, a process that removes dead grass, thatch, and moss to allow better absorption of air, water, and nutrients. This deep-cleaning step is crucial after winter dormancy, especially as grass enters its active growth phase. Proper timing, tools, and follow-up care like seeding and fertilizing enhance results. Skipping this task may lead to poor lawn health and reduced resilience.
- ▪Scarification involves removing thatch, moss, and debris from the lawn to improve soil aeration and nutrient absorption.
- ▪May is the ideal time for scarification because soil has warmed and grass is entering its active growth phase.
- ▪A thick layer of thatch can block water and nutrients, leading to a spongy lawn and increased disease risk.
- ▪After scarifying, experts recommend collecting debris, seeding bare patches, and applying fertilizer for optimal summer growth.
- ▪Tools for scarification include a springbok rake for small lawns or a powered scarifier for larger areas.
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Home Outdoors Gardening Want a lush lawn for summer? Don't skip this one crucial step in May News By Cynthia Lawrence published 28 April 2026 Do this one essential gardening task for greener grass When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Copy link Facebook X Reddit Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter With summer fast approaching, there's nothing more satisfying than having a lush, green lawn to enjoy, especially if you're hosting backyard gatherings.And while you might have taken steps to prepare your lawn during the winter months, the cold snap can affect the growth of your grass. This is because turfgrass usually goes into a dormant state in order to conserve energy and survive winter temperatures. This essential process effectively halts growth until the weather becomes warmer.But if you want to ensure a healthy, greener lawn just in time for summer, you'll need to do this one critical gardening task in May. In fact, doing this can make all the difference to the overall appearance of your lawn. So what is this key job?Article continues below You may like I asked gardening experts the secret to a greener lawn — here's what they want you to do this spring 3 things you should never do to your lawn in March — and what you should be doing instead 11 secrets to a lawn that’s greener than your neighbor's Don't forget to scarify your lawn in May Scarifying a lawn (Image credit: Shutterstock)Essentially, scarification involves tearing up the top layer of soil to remove dead grass, heavy thatch, moss, and other debris that have built up on your lawn. This is similar to the process of dethatching, that aims to remove the thatch layer that builds up between the soil and the lower parts of the grass .The key difference here is that scarifying is a more intense process that gets further deep into the ground, cutting grooves into the soil to remove moss and other build-up. This also allows adequate aeration to the soil.And while a thin layer of thatch benefits grass, too much creates a barrier that prevents water and nutrients from reaching the roots, effectively suffocating the lawn.What’s more, this can cause your lawn to become spongy and prone to disease, ultimately ruining your lush, healthy grass. window.sliceComponents = window.sliceComponents || {}; externalsScriptLoaded.then(() => { window.reliablePageLoad.then(() => { var componentContainer = document.querySelector("#slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-gKXRigYEceos8ngFkbWYX7"); if (componentContainer) { var data = {"layout":"inbodyContent","header":"Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox.","tagline":"Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.","formFooterText":"By submitting your information you agree to the <a href=\"https:\/\/futureplc.com\/terms-conditions\/\" target=\"_blank\">Terms & Conditions<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/futureplc.com\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy Policy<\/a> and are aged 16 or over.","usDisclaimerFooterText":"By signing up, you agree to our <a href=\"https:\\\/\\\/futureplc.com\\\/terms-conditions\\\/\" target=\"_blank\">Terms of services <\/a> and acknowledge that you have read our <a href=\"https:\\\/\\\/futureplc.com\\\/privacy-policy\\\/\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy…
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