Super grass
It’s lawn maintenance time, so get spiking, raking out the moss and reseeding those bare patches if you want neighbours to be green with envy
There is something mesmerising about the sight of a gleaming green lawn. They are part of our national character and we fork out a fair pennies on their care and treatment every year.
Despite this, there are some gaps in our lawn maintenance.
Many gardeners tend to feed in spring and focus on grass growth, but after a summer of heavy use and hot weather, lawns can get worn out.
Proper care in autumn will help root growth and make your lawn healthier in the long run.
So now is the perfect time to carry out any treatments, as there is time for the grass to respond before the temperatures get too low.
First off, check your lawn for any signs of disease and consider using a moss killer if necessary.
There are several fungal diseases and pests that can cause problems for your grass.
So if you are unsure what you are dealing with, take some pictures and ask for advice at your local garden centre.
The next step to autumn lawn care is scarifying, which is essentially heavy raking with a spring-tine rake. This will remove thatch – a fine layer of old grass stems, dead moss and other debris that can get compacted between the grass blades over time and can impede water and fertiliser from reaching the soil below.
You need to rake vigorously to loosen the thatch, but not so deep that you damage the turf itself.
DISEASE
Scarifying will also remove moss (it’s easier if the moss is already dead from treatment), and loose debris like leaves.
On that note, ensure leaves and branches do not build up on your lawn as they will smother the grass, killing it off and providing shelter for pests and disease.
Keep mowing your lawn until it stops growing and be thorough with removing your grass clippings.
Next thing to do is look for bare patches and plan on reseeding them.
Loosen up the surface of the bare area with a hand fork and rake thesoil as finely as possible.
Sow the seed according to packet
instructions (I always add a bit more to make up for the inevitable losses to birds).
Then lightly rake the seeds into the soil and gently water in. Cover with netting if birds are a problem.
Aerating (or spiking) is another important autumn task. Many lawns suffer from compaction.
When they get trampled on, the soil compacts, which means oxygen can’t get to the grass roots. Aerating
Loosen the thatch but not so deep that you damage the turf itself
allows better movement of air and water in the root zone, leaving your lawn healthier, stronger and able to manage much better during droughts as well as overly wet periods.
Most lawns only need this every three to four years but if your lawn gets especially trampled (such as it being a makeshift football pitch) then you may want to do it more regularly.
To aerate, push a garden fork about five inches into the soil throughout the lawn, spacing the holes about five inches apart.
This will help drainage and stop water-logging, as well as oxygenate the roots. On clay or waterlogged soils, you may want to use a hollow-tine aerator which will extract plugs of soil each time.
DRAINAGE
These can be put on to the compost heap or brushed into the borders.
Fill the remaining holes with garden sand to help drainage.
You can also hire or buy motorised aerators – and look out for spiked over-shoes that you use to walk over the lawn.
When it comes to fertilising, people often ask whether granular or liquid feeds are better, but they are very similar. Granular takes longer to break down so may not be as fast acting as liquid, but the impact will last longer.
However it’s important to choose the right type of fertiliser for the occasion. Autumn versions are high in phosphates and potash, which boost strong root growth.
Spring ones will encourage soft leaf growth, which isn’t what you need in winter. As a general rule of thumb, if your lawn is dry, use a liquid feed.
If rain is forecast you can use a granular feed. However, if it doesn’t rain for a few days after application, water in the granules so they don’t burn the grass foliage.
If you have any bumps in your lawn that need ironing out simply cut an H-shape into the soil over the bump using a spade.
Fold the turf back from the centre, remove a little soil from underneath, and then replace the turf. Press the edges together and then water thoroughly.
With some TLC, and a bit of luck, there is no reason why autumn should be a gloomy time for your lawn.
Keep it in shape now and it will be gleaming green come spring.