ACT NOW SOYOUR LAWN CAN FLOURISH
ALTHOUGH we tend to concentrate on the lawn during the mowing season and largely forget about it during the autumn and winter months, a little effort now will be well repaid.
The so-called ‘non-mowing’ season is almost as long as the mowing season, there’s only a month or so between them. A lawn can look very well during the ‘off’ season if a few small tasks are carried out in autumn. There is not a huge effort or expense in these tasks and they certainly make a difference, not just through the winter but right into next year. However, most lawns take on a shaggy, unkempt look during late autumn and winter and this often persists until the grass is cut in spring. Then it may mean ‘shaving’ the lawn and the grass surface takes some weeks to recover.
The main thing to consider is grass growth, which surges in September, making a second peak of growth after a fall-off in summer. This pattern does not always occur but it usually does to a greater or lesser degree, and it is very important for restoring a good appearance and the wear of summer. Even after the autumn surge of growth is finished, growth continues, tailing off into November and even n
December. Only from m mid-December to about bout mid-February is there re little growth. Soil temperatures below w 6C halt grass growth, but ut there are short periods ods when the temperatures ures rise above this level l and there are stop-start periods of grass growth that occur right through winter. This varies enormously around the country, depending on location and soil type. yp Apply a high potash fertiliser such as 10-1 10-10-20, or one with a small amount of nitrogen. nit This will give t the grass a late b boost but also toughen it and l leave it in good ste stead for the follo following year, as the p phosphorus and potash i is retained in the soil. About 20 to 30 grams of fertiliser per square metre can be applied. Make sure fallen tree leaves are removed within a fortnight or so of falling and before they begin to bleach the grass. Mowing should be carried out late into the season, as long as the ground is not soggy, so as not to cause soil compaction.
In November and even December and January, and certainly in early spring, the grass should be mown as needed. Usually this simply means two or three cuts during the winter, and these can make an
enormous difference.
Autumn sees a shift in the balance of growth between grass and lawn moss. The latter likes moist weather and manages to grow in colder months. This is a key time to apply a moss killer if your grass is struggling.
A range of products from moss control is available, mostly based on sulphate of iron, but also there are some organic treatments. Sulphate of iron for control of lawn moss can be applied as a dry powder from a garden fertiliser spreader or it can be diluted and sprayed on the lawn. Rates of about 10 grams of sulphate of iron per square metre can be used. Dead moss can be removed with a power scarifier – which can be hired – but it is not essential to do so. If the dead moss and old grass is ripped out, some lawn seed can be spread over the ground to restore the sward with new grass plants.