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Proper Lawn Care: The Right Order for Mowing, Fertilizing, and Scarifying
Taking care of my lawn properly each spring is really important to me — I love seeing it grow back healthy and lush after the winter. Over the years, I’ve learned that doing things in the right order makes all the difference. That’s why I always follow a clear plan for cleaning up, mowing, fertilizing, and scarifying. In this guide, I’d like to share exactly how I do it, step by step, so my lawn stays green, strong, and beautiful all season long.
When caring for your lawn, the order in which you mow, fertilize, and scarify is important to keep it healthy and strong. Many people are unsure about the correct sequence for these tasks in spring. Is scarifying necessary every year? Should you fertilize before or after? When should you overseed, and should the grass be cut high or low at the start?
To help you plan your lawn care properly after winter, here’s a step-by-step guide to the most important tasks for a fresh, healthy lawn:
After a long winter, my lawn usually looks a bit tired and patchy. That’s completely normal, but with the right care, it quickly bounces back. I’ve found that what really matters is doing each step in the right order — rushing or skipping steps can cause more problems later on.
First, I always start by giving my lawn a good clean-up. This removes debris and helps the grass get enough air and light. Then, regular mowing keeps the lawn tidy and encourages dense growth. Fertilizing gives the grass all the nutrients it needs for strong roots and fresh green blades.
If I notice moss or thatch, I scarify carefully to loosen up the soil and make space for new, healthy shoots. By following these steps every spring, I know my lawn will stay thick, green, and ready for summer fun.
1. Clean Up the Lawn
First, remove any debris, stones, and branches from the lawn area. Rake the lawn thoroughly. This not only removes unwanted items but also clears away dead grass, lichen, moss, and weeds. If you find any molehills, level them with the rake as well.
If water is pooling anywhere on the lawn, use a garden fork to poke holes in these spots. This helps loosen the soil and allows the water to drain away.
2. Mow the Lawn
The optimal cutting height for a typical utility lawn is between 4 and 5 centimeters (about 1.5 to 2 inches). Mow your lawn weekly — during the main growing season, it’s best to mow twice a week.
A robot mower, such as the Navimow i-Series from Segway, makes this task especially easy. These devices deliver a precise cut and are quick to set up via the app, as no boundary wire is needed. Thanks to AI-assisted mapping, garden owners can easily adjust mowing zones. The Navimow detects and safely avoids obstacles using its 140° field-of-view camera. Besides saving you time, a robot mower can also help reduce the need for additional fertilizer. The fine clippings stay on the lawn, returning valuable nutrients to the soil instead of ending up in the compost bin.
3. Fertilize the Lawn
After mowing, it’s time to fertilize. Use a fertilizer that is specially formulated for your lawn’s needs and follow the instructions on the packaging carefully to avoid over-fertilizing and damaging the grass. A slow-release fertilizer works best. Apply fertilizer when the sky is overcast and the weather is dry. After fertilizing, wait at least two days before mowing again.
4. Scarify the Lawn if Needed
As temperatures rise and the lawn grows, it’s time to scarify. Be sure not to set the blades too deep. The ideal time to scarify is after the second or third mowing — depending on the weather and your region, usually from mid-April to mid-May.
Wait at least 14 days after fertilizing before scarifying. Do not let the scarifier cut deeper than two to three millimeters into the soil. Cutting deeper can damage too many roots, causing bare patches where weeds may grow. By scarifying lightly, you reduce the effort needed for reseeding and protect the grass roots.
With the right sequence and a little patience, I always manage to get my lawn looking its best. By cleaning up first, mowing regularly, fertilizing at the right time, and scarifying carefully, I give my grass everything it needs to thrive. I hope my approach helps you, too — here’s to a healthy, vibrant lawn that you can enjoy all year round!
