Perk up your patchy lawn

MENTION lawns and most of us think of a neatly manicured emerald sward that sets off the garden to perfection. The reality is often very different. Rain, dry spells and heavy use over summer can often leave them looking worse for wear.

Don’t despair. Give your lawn some care and attention and it will soon perk up. What’s more, a few hours spent aerating, repairing damage, feeding, weeding and giving it some cosmetic tweaks will leave it ready to face whatever winter throws its way.

Foot traffic on paths, under kids’ play equipment and other much-used parts of the lawn can result in compacted areas that are poorly drained. Apart from looking unsightly, they provide the ideal conditions for moss and weeds to grow.

Break through the compressed layer by plunging a garden fork into the ground and wiggling it backwards and forwards to open up a drainage channel. Repeat this every 4in across the affected area. Spread a sandy top dressing (a mixture of sand and topsoil) over the surface and work into the holes with a broom.

Plenty of lawns suffer from bare patches caused by pets or general use. Repair by pricking over the worn surface with a fork, then rake until the surface is level and the soil texture resembles breadcrumbs.

Sow grass seed over the surface, cover with a thin layer of compost, and water. Protect newly sown areas from birds with pieces of fine netting held in place with camping pegs.

Spread autumn lawn feed granules over the surface to restore colour and to strengthen roots. If your lawn is full of weeds or moss, use a combined lawn feed, weed and moss killer.