What to do with the lawn in your garden? Are you making this mistake when planning and caring for your garden?
For many people, the lawn is the foundation of their outdoor space. It is a green carpet that you can walk on barefoot, where children play soccer, and where you can relax in the summer.
However, the reality is that the lawn is one of the most demanding elements of the garden.
If it is poorly planned, you can expect:
- annual reseeding,
- fighting mold,
- high water consumption,
- and endless mowing.
Let’s take a look at how to properly plan a lawn in your garden—and what to do when it looks miserable after winter.
Lawn after winter: what to do in March and early spring
Many people think that lawns hibernate during winter. The opposite is true. Even during winter, they continue to grow and consume nutrients. The end of winter is therefore a critical period.
What to do with your lawn after winter?
- During the thaw (February/March), apply an autumn fertilizer with a higher potassium content.
- Strengthen resistance to snow mold.
- Limit movement on soggy soil.
- Check for compacted areas.
Fertilizing in February/March can ensure that your lawn will be greener 2-3 weeks earlier than the surrounding area.
If you neglect this, spring will be spent on repairs instead of growth.
Is a lawn suitable for every garden?
No.
A beautiful lawn requires:
- regular mowing (often 1-2 times a week),
- fertilization,
- plenty of sun,
- good quality soil,
- regular watering.
If you don’t have the time or conditions, consider a smaller area or an alternative in the form of perennials, ground cover plants, or ornamental grasses.
The right location for your lawn
The right location for your lawn is more important for its quality than the seeds themselves.
Where not to put your lawn
1. North side and permanent shade – Lawn needs sun. In the shade, it thins out and is prone to mold.
2. Enclosed corners without air circulation – Moisture + shade = ideal conditions for mold.
3. Narrow strips between the house and the fence – Mowing is uncomfortable. Perennial plantings are more suitable.
4. Steep slopes – Maintenance becomes difficult and dangerous.
Laying a lawn: what not to forget
Laying a high-quality lawn is an investment for years to come.
Before sowing, it is necessary to:
- till the soil to a depth of at least 20 cm,
- remove weeds,
- prevent compaction with heavy machinery,
- plan irrigation.
Compacted soil means a weak root system and drainage problems.
If you are just planning your garden and don’t know where to start, we recommend starting with the numbers.
Our online garden calculator will help you figure out your budget.
Lawn irrigation: do you have enough water?
Lawn is one of the most water-intensive areas, especially in the first two years.
When planning, ask yourself:
- Do you have a sufficient water supply?
- Does automatic irrigation make sense?
- Are you willing to water with tap water during dry summers?
Without water, even the best-laid lawn will not thrive.
How much lawn is just right?
The size of your lawn should correspond to the amount of time you can devote to it.
- 400 m² = approximately 30 minutes of mowing
- 1,000 m² = an hour or more each week
A smaller, functional area is always better than a large one that you don’t have time to maintain.
How we approach this at Dream Garden
At Dream Garden, we don’t view lawns as filler. We view them as architectural elements.
When designing, we consider:
- Function – what will it be used for?
- Lighting conditions – where will it thrive?
- Size – how much can the client realistically manage?
- Smooth transitions – how will it connect to the terrace, plantings, or paved areas?
- Irrigation and soil quality before implementation.
We often design a combination of:
- an intensively maintained area near the house,
- more relaxed vegetation towards the garden,
- or perennial plantings where a lawn would not work in the long term.
Our goal is not to have the largest lawn. Our goal is to have a functional lawn. One that will be a joy, not an annual repair project.
Summary
If you want to have a beautiful lawn in your garden:
- Plan its location before implementation.
- Consider light, soil, and accessibility.
- Think about water.
- Don’t use it as filler.
- Strengthen it in February/March to prevent spring problems.
A lawn is not a given. It is a conscious decision.
