An image of the ideal lawn often encompasses closely cut, velvety grass resplendent with stripes - the likes of which you'll see on the 18th hole rather than in most people's gardens!

However much we may aspire to this picture, in reality our lawns are not usually this perfect, nor need they be, provided they are appropriate to our needs.

But do remember that a lawn can be the dominant feature and if well kept can actually enhance the overall appearance of the entire garden.

Routinely carrying out a number of tasks during the year will help to maintain your lawn in optimum condition and even when the rest of your garden may be somewhat unruly, a newly mown lawn and trimmed edges can visually counter any untidiness!

As the weather turns milder with the onset of March and provided the grass is dry, start mowing the lawn. Resist any urge to cut closely; a simple 'topping' will suffice on the first cut.

As we have experienced an over-abundance of rainfall, moss may be more prevalent this year. Apply a proprietary moss killer evenly and within a week you should see the moss turning black. Wait another week before using a spring-tine rake to clear the dead moss and other debris.

Avoid a vigorous raking so as not to damage emerging new growth. Collect up any organic debris and throw it onto your compost heap where it will rot down. If moss is a permanent feature in your lawn bear in mind that it does make more sense to remedy the ground conditions, which have encouraged the moss to grow in the first place!

Badly drained, poorly fed, shady soil will undoubtedly be home for copious moss growth. Improve the drainage by aerating your lawn in September. Using a garden fork spike the surface of the lawn to a depth of 3" - 4" to allow oxygen to reach the roots and to relieve compaction of the soil. This will help to stimulate new growth.

If your aim is to develop a first rate lawn then a top dressing mixture consisting of peat, loam and sand should be spread after aeration. This process should be carried out in the autumn when the grass is beginning to enter the dormant period.

Use this month to tidy up the lawn by seeding bare patches and for neatening the edges with a half-moon edging iron, which will give you a crisp cut. Loosen the soil of bare areas with a rake and sprinkle with grass seed. As a rule one and a half ounces of seed will cover one square yard (a generous 'fist-full'). Lightly rake it in and water well. Some prefer to cover the patch with plastic, pegged down around the sides to protect the seed from marauding cats and birds but remember to remove it when the seed has germinated.

Once the grass is actively growing regular mowing will not only weaken and kill off many weeds but will also ensure that it does not become a labour-intensive job. It is so much easier to mow little and often and this in itself is highly beneficial to the grass as it encourages it to thicken up. Always avoid mowing too closely; not only will it encourage weeds but will weaken the grass leaving it much more susceptible to drought.

Should you wish to chemically treat your lawn use a weed and feed manufactured especially for the job. Some systemic weed killers are not selective and will not only kill the weeds but the grass too! If you are in any doubt about which product to use the garden centre will be more than happy to advise you.

For most lawns weeds are probably the worst offenders that we have to deal with although there are other 'pests' that cause people consternation such as worm casts - small heaps of soil on the surface of the lawn. Many horticultural books view earthworms and lawns as incompatible but I would beg to differ.

Worms are a valuable aid to the improvement of the soil and if worm casts are problematic use a besom ('witches') broom to scatter the heaps prior to mowing to avoid smearing.

Growing and maintaining a lawn in good condition need not be a daunting task or experience especially with the array of products now available and just think of the benefits - visually soothing and pleasing to the eye; soft, springy texture underfoot and the wonderful, unbeatable scent of freshly mown grass, which undoubtedly makes it all so very worthwhile!