Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes the warm days spent outside, soaking up the sunshine. Although, it can be hard to enjoy the moment when all you can think about is the state of your lawn. An often strenuous  activity on any gardener's to-do list is prepping your grass for those days spent BBQing, sunbathing and simply indulging in summer.

It can be tricky to know exactly what your lifeless lawn might need, but while your vibrant grass may feel like a thing of the past, there's still time to rescue it. Diona Jenkins at MyJobQuote has shared her gardening expertise to save the day and make your grass look greener than ever for the summer ahead and beyond. 

How to make grass greener and lawns healthier

Get rid of thatch build-up

One of her big tips involves staying on top of the thatch that builds up on your grass.

Thatch acts as a layer of any organic matter that over time has built up between the soil and the fresh grass growing through. This can include the likes of clippings of dead grass, roots, and sticks, and the more that builds up, the more it prevents water, air, and nutrients from accessing the soil.

Luck is on your side, however, because dethatching is a pretty simple task for any level of gardener. All it takes is going over your lawn with a strong rake and lifting off any debris, and it will in turn help your lawn to grow thicker, healthier and a hell of a lot greener.

The avid gardener shared a number of other tasks to help give your lawn the love and care it needs.

Avoid overshading

It's clear to most people that grass growing in shaded areas versus the kind exposed to lots of sunshine grows far more poorly. Grass does rely on sunlight to live a long and happy life, so reducing anything in your garden that may be blocking the light is crucial.

Some things are out of your control, such as the placement of your house, steps or drive; however, there are a few things you can change. This could mean cutting back on any large bushes or trees to give your grass access to any extra hours of sunlight it can get.

Water when necessary

Lucky for us in the UK, we're rarely shy of rainfall, so much so that watering your grass isn't usually required. Although, during peak times of summer, with the relentless heat waves, dry grass can easily sneak up on you.

If you notice signs of sparsity or yellowing, it's usually a sign of thirst from your grass, and when this happens, you do want to give it some extra care. During a heatwave, if you can , it's suggested you water it once a day, being mindful of any hosepipe bans.

Don't mow too much

As important as regular mowing is, you don't want to make the mistake of overdoing it and ultimately not cutting your grass too short. By doing this, you're adding extra stress onto the plants and inhibiting their ability to photosynthesise.

If you're over-mowing, you're making the lawn weaker and more vulnerable and taking away any energy it may need to develop a robust system. Overall, it's best to avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass's length each time you mow.

Overseed thinner patches

If your lawn is looking a little unloved in some areas, with thinning grass or bare patches, it's time to act. Overseed these areas with high-quality grass seed, and you will be providing your grass with the extra coverage it needs to look thick and luscious.

Aerate in autumn

What many people don't know is that for a much thicker, healthier grass, you should aim to aerate your lawn during the autumn season. To achieve thicker, greener, and healthier grass, you should be aiming to aerate your lawn every autumn.

By poking small holes into the soil lying beneath the grass using a manual aerator or even a simple garden fork, you are opening your lawn up to a breath of fresh air. If you are someone with a larger garden, you might want to consider investing in an electric aerator tool, which can cover a lot of ground and save you heaps of time.

Without even noticing, your lawn's soil has become compacted as a result of walking over it and any heavy gardening tools and natural elements, restricting its root growth. Aerating your lawn will help to relieve the compacted soil and enhance its development so it can access all the nutrients it needs to grow.