Alan Titchmarsh says gardeners should complete crucial task before mowing lawn

Former Gardeners’ World presenter Alan Titchmarsh has shared essential spring lawn maintenance advice, revealing gardeners should carry out one crucial task before getting out the lawnmower

Gardening presenter Alan Titchmarsh has advised British gardeners to use a common tool on their lawn before reaching for the mower. The topic of lawn mowing is currently generating considerable debate within gardening circles.

May represents a period of vigorous grass growth, with many people beginning to mow regularly, yet the No Mow May campaign encourages homeowners to skip or cut back on mowing in order to support insect life.

Despite this, former Gardeners’ World presenter Alan believes now is an ideal time to begin mowing your lawn more frequently – however, there’s an important task you should tackle before wheeling out the lawnmower.

The 77 year old recommends undertaking a process known as scarifying your lawn. This deep-cleaning technique removes moss to improve water, air and nutrient flow to the soil. It is best carried out in spring (late March to early May) or during autumn while the grass is still actively growing.

Alan suggests using a wire tooth rake to get the job done, or alternatively a powered scarifier for those looking to make the process less demanding, reports the Express.

Speaking on his Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh YouTube channel, he said: “After winter, one thing that is growing faster than the grass is the moss among it. And to allow the grass room to spread sideways, room to grow, we need to get rid of that moss.

“The simplest way to get that moss, and any dead grass, out is to use a wire-tooth rake, pulling and pulling you’ll be amazed at what comes out. Great for your abs. Exhausting.

“Better still, if you’ve got a garden of any size, is to use a powered scarifier. Which at the press of a button will pull out all that dead grass.”

Alan ranks among Britain’s most respected gardening experts. He served as lead presenter on Gardeners’ World from 1996 to 2002 before Monty Don took over. He also fronts Love Your Garden and Love Your Weekend on ITV.

He recently revealed the “most important gardening tool” in his collection. Alan has also issued an urgent appeal for British gardeners to improve their lawn maintenance.

The television personality said: “A lot of people don’t mow their lawn properly. It’s easy to forget that grass is a plant and we treat it more cruelly than any other plant in the garden.

“We prune it once a week in spring and summer, we trample over it with our feet, in winter when it’s cold we stop mowing it and walk all over it, turn it to mud. But grass has a great capacity to recover and we can do one of two things that help it recover but at the same time, show it that we care.”

Alan concluded the video with several rapid-fire recommendations about lawn maintenance.

He said: “Don’t mow too close. An inch in summer and in really hot weather, raise it to an inch and a half. Cut your lawn at least once a fortnight.

“No mow May, an encouragement not to mow your lawn in May but to let it grow again for insects.

“Well what happens in June, there’s far too much grass on, the insects, well blow them, they’ve had their May. No no, far better to mow constantly through the year but to leave longer areas that are un-mown.”

You can catch Alan on Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh from 9.30am to 11.25am on ITV today (Sunday, May 10).