The largest area in most gardens, and therefore the bit we really notice first is our lawns.

My old RHS tutor used to say: “Mow the lawn and trim the edges and everything will instantly look better."

I believe he was right and this is true, even with our own lawn which rarely cuts well as it has dips and bumps everywhere.

One day we will put the time required into making it pristine, but in the meantime I am sure there are a few things we can do to get it up to a reasonable standard for enjoying on all those long balmy summer BBQ days …

Cut: We wouldn’t have been thinking about cutting the lawn last March with a large part of the country having the worst snow for 30 years, this year, things are a couple of weeks ahead. So if you haven’t done so already give your lawn it’s first cut, just taking the top off, with your mower set on the highest setting.

Edge: After cutting trim around the edges with edging shears to tidy up any tufts of grass that are sticking out, this will be easier if you have made a proper neat-edged gully of around 7cm around your borders first that you can hold the blade of the shears against.

Weed and feed: Attack those weeds now before they flower and become too tough to respond to treatment with a weed and feed treatment. Autumn feeds have low nitrogen whereas spring and summer feeds are high nitrogen, so make sure you get the right one. This can be applied using a spreader to help distribute the granules evenly, preferably when ground is moist or rain is forecast.

Seed: once the moss has died off and turned black, remove and over-seed any sparse areas with half the recommended rate on the packet and lightly rake into surface. Net if birds are a problem and water gently if dry. Grass should sprout in 10 days.