Autumn LAWNCARE ADVICE
Looking after your lawn in Autumn
Autumn is an important season for taking care of your lawn. It is important to use the last months of the growing season to strengthen and prepare the lawn for the rigours of winter. The effort put into a lawn in autumn will improve the quality and health of the lawn right through into the following Spring and beyond.
Mowing
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures begin to fall the rate at which the grass grows will slow, meaning that the lawn will need mowing less frequently. It is also a good idea to raise the height of cut as winter approaches. As always maintain your mower in good condition and keep the blades sharp.
Apply an Autumn Lawn Food
This gives the lawn the essential nutrients it needs to strengthen itself for winter. As autumn progresses damp still conditions can lead to diseases such as fusarium patch. Applying a Quality Autumn Lawn Food in early autumn will help combat these by strengthening the grass plants as well as giving your lawn an attractive green colour.
Overseeding
Depending upon the wear and tear which your lawn has received over the previous months you may want to overseed the lawn in early autumn. We recommend a mix of lawn seed with lawn topdressing brushed into the surface of the lawn. The seed will germinate ahead of winter and give a thicker, denser lawn the following season.
Topdressing
If your lawn has become uneven then topdressing with a Lawn topdressing will even out any low areas. A rate of 1 - 3 kg per square metre will be sufficient when brushed into the lawn surface especially in lower areas. It is a good idea to add Lawn seed to a topdressing to help fill in any thin areas, it is always best to carry out topdressing when the lawn is dry. Topdressing also helps break down thatch and aids drainage.
Aeration
Aerate consolidated areas of the lawn with a hand fork or with a spiking machine. These are available for hire from local garden centres or DIY stores for larger lawns. This will relieve compaction, improve drainage and allow more air into the root system leading to a healthier lawn.
Dealing with worms
Remember worms improve the nutrient content of a soil and are beneficial to the soil structure. Worm casts are best left to dry and then swept or brushed away with a stiff brush. As leaves start to fall from the trees use a light rake or brush to keep the lawn free of leaves and debris.
Clear the lawn of leaves and debris
As leaves start to fall from the trees use a light rake or brush to keep the lawn free of leaves and debris. Specialist leaf sweepers and lawn vacuums are available for hire from local garden centres or DIY stores for larger lawns.
Scarification
Scarification reduces the build up of dead grass matter, roots and moss which can cause increased stress to the grass plants. Scarification can be done using a spring-tine rake by vigorously pulling the rake through the grass sward. Electric scarifiers are also available for hire from local garden centres or DIY stores.
Broadleaf weed treatment
Broad leaved weeds should be treated using a suitable selective herbicide. Alternatively weed them out by hand or using a knife / mechanical weeder remembering to get the root of the weed out.
Dealing with moss
If moss is a problem on your lawn you will need to scarify it out. You may also consider applying moss-killer product before scarifying. This will help to kill and remove more of the moss, allow the moss to turn brown/black before scarifying. After this it may be appropriate to overseed using lawn seed if taking the moss out leaves the lawn thin in some areas.
