Sieve the compost to remove the lumps – use a garden sieve to break up the compost and shake it into a wheelbarrow or other large container. The compost needs to be fine so it can penetrate the soil.

Use the same volume of sharp sand as compost to make the mixture kinder for your lawn. Sharp sand will even out the mix and more importantly add weight so it can get down into the soil.

Use a garden fork to make holes in the lawn. Make your rows of fork holes about six inches apart and about three inches deep over the whole of the lawn. This process aerates the lawn and allows the compost mix to get to the grass roots.

Using a rake or broom, spread the compost mix evenly across the lawn to a depth of about one inch. Don’t worry that your lawn looks grey and muddy. This effect will last about three weeks as the compost works its way down into the soil.

Your lawn will look untidy for three weeks or so – this is completely normal. Over the following weeks and months you should see a more superior quality of grass and below the surface the soil structure will be much improved for months to come