Doing this one ‘essential’ task in October will help your lawn grow thicker, greener and healthier. An expert has shared what gardeners need to be doing now to get the best from their grass
October is the ideal time for lawn renovation as the temperatures are comfortably lower while the soil remains warm, moist and easy to work with.
This month, gardens are filled with glorious autumnal colours with the first frosts after the summer on the way. If we’re lucky, there will be crisp, blue-sky days which are the perfect time to wrap up warm and secure up your lawn for the forthcoming colder weather. But what are the top tasks we need to tackle this season? Jamie Shipley, gardening expert and managing director at Hedges Direct, has exclusively shared these top tips on how to get your grass looking its best in spring and protect it over winter…
Cutting your lawn
Typically, your lawn will require a trim once a week during autumn. However, this can vary depending on the weather as autumn rain can stimulate growth, meaning you might need to mow more frequently. In winter, mowing usually isn’t necessary as your grass will be in a dormant state. But if the weather is mild and the grass continues to grow, you may need to give it a quick trim with a mower, reports the Express.
Sowing grass seeds and applying fertiliser
October is an excellent time to sow grass seed as there’s plenty of rain so you can reduce watering, the soil is still warm, and there are fewer weeds and birds foraging. Applying fertiliser in autumn will prepare your grass for harsh winter conditions and “increase recovery time” if damaged. Jamie advised: “Keep your lawn looking thicker, greener and healthier by applying an autumn fertiliser to protect it from disease and avoid a moss and weed invasion.”
Clearing dead leaves
Dead leaves can trap moisture on your grass, increasing the risk of fungal diseases like snow mould developing. Jamie warned that this can “kill patches of your lawn” and cause “lasting damage”.
Scarifying your lawn
Scarification involves getting rid of organic matter such as moss and thatch from your lawn’s surface. If you don’t scarify, you might end up with a dried-out patch since water and nutrients struggle to permeate the soil, potentially causing your lawn to “dry out and suffocate”. It’s best to scarify in autumn; you should aim to get it done before it gets too chilly to prevent harming your turf. Fertilising post-scarification is recommended by experts to encourage “healthy growth and recovery”.
