Caring for Your Garden After a Wet Winter

- Wed 25 Feb 2026

After another characteristically wet winter in the South West, many gardens across the region are showing the effects of prolonged rainfall and Atlantic storms. Lawns have been saturated for weeks, with more areas than normal experiencing temporary flooding.

As a local estate agent established in the region, we know how important outside space is — not only for day-to-day enjoyment, but also in maintaining the overall appeal and value of your home. With spring just around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about recovery - but timing is key.

Patience First: Avoid Further Damage
Although our climate is milder than much of the country, February ground conditions can still be extremely wet. Walking repeatedly on waterlogged lawns can compact the soil, squeezing out the air that grass roots need to recover.

Before stepping onto your lawn, check:

• Does it feel firm underfoot?
• Are footprints disappearing quickly?
• Is the soil crumbly rather than sticky?

If the ground is still soft or “squelchy”, it’s best to wait. In most years locally, lawns are ready for light attention between late February and mid-March — but after an especially wet winter, it may be later.

Repairing Waterlogged or Flooded Lawns
If your garden has been underwater or heavily saturated:

1. Clear Debris and Silt
Floodwater often leaves behind silt, leaves and debris. Once the surface has dried sufficiently:

• Gently rake away surface deposits.
• Remove dead grass and organic matter.

This allows light and air back to the lawn.

2. Treat Bare or Damaged Patches
Grass can tolerate short periods of flooding, but areas submerged for more than a week or two may need reseeding.

• Rake out dead material.
• Lightly loosen the topsoil.
• Reseed once soil temperatures rise (typically March onwards in our region).
• Keep the area lightly moist but not waterlogged.

Thanks to the regions long growing season, spring reseeding is often very successful.

Addressing Compaction
Heavy rainfall combined with winter foot traffic commonly leads to compacted soil, particularly on clay-heavy ground in parts of Somerset and inland Devon.

When the soil is moist - but no longer saturated - you can:
• Use a garden fork to spike the lawn 10–15cm deep.
• Gently rock the fork to create air channels.

This simple step significantly improves drainage and root recovery.

When Should You Start Mowing?
Grass may look like it’s growing in February, particularly in coastal Cornwall where temperatures are milder. However, mowing too early can do more harm than good.

We recommend waiting until:
• The lawn is firm underfoot.
• Frost is unlikely.
• Daytime temperatures are consistently around 10°C.
• The grass is clearly in active growth.

For most gardens locally, the first cut is usually mid- to late March.

When you do mow:
• Set blades higher than usual.
• Remove no more than one third of the grass height.
• Avoid cutting wet grass.

A gentle first cut encourages healthy recovery.

Feeding and Ongoing Care
Avoid fertilising in February while soils remain cold and saturated, as nutrients can simply wash away in heavy rain.

Instead:
• Apply a balanced spring feed in March or early April.
• Choose a dry spell for application.
• Combine feeding with light aeration for best results.

Wet winters often lead to increased moss, so encouraging strong grass growth naturally helps suppress it.

A Final Word
Gardens across Somerset, Devon and Cornwall may look tired at the end of a particularly wet winter - but with patience and the right approach, most lawns recover quickly once spring warmth arrives.
If you would like advice not only on caring for your property but also on how best to present it for the market this year, our team is always happy to help.

Spring is just around the corner - and with it, new opportunities, and who knows, maybe even a new home and garden to care for?

Caring for Your Garden After a Wet Winter

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