It may not be a time to plant or sow seeds in the UK, but it is nevertheless essential for lawn care
As we approach autumn, lawns across the UK could do with a bit of TLC. With weeds thriving and moss prospering, it’s time to take action.
Kate Turner, a horticultural expert and gardening specialist from Love The Garden, warns that weeds are a common lawn nuisance, and moss is a sign of poor turf health due to issues like poor drainage, excessive shade, nutrient deficiency, over-cutting of grass, or constant foot traffic.
She explained: “Moss in lawns is a sign that there is an underlying problem with the lawn. This can be caused by any of several factors, including poor drainage, shade, lack of fertiliser, [the] grass [being] cut too short or heavy foot traffic.”
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But don’t fret, there’s a simple solution to get rid of both weeds and moss, and keep the latter from making an unwelcome return – scarifying your turf. Scarifying is a method used to remove the thatch layer that gradually builds up between the soil and grass on a lawn.
Thatch consists of various organic matter, such as dead grass, plant roots, leaves, and other garden debris, which can block water, oxygen, and nutrients from reaching the soil, leading to numerous lawn problems, reports the Express.
Several of the most pressing problems that thatch causes include poor drainage, limited root growth, compacted soil, patchy grass coverage, increased pest susceptibility, plus weeds and moss taking hold on your lawn.
Scarifying a lawn is a simple process where you merely need to rake over the grass in spring and autumn, eliminating excess thatch whilst assisting in pulling out weeds.
Kate explained: “If the moss and weed problem is mild, it may be possible to get on top of it by simply scarifying and then improving the overall health of the lawn with regular lawn care to stop the moss and weeds from coming back. Always mow before scarifying and try not to be too vigorous in spring, only scarify until you can see soil underneath.”
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Whilst successful, scarifying lawns damages the grass plants during the process, creating quite a mess. To resolve this, it is advised to overseed.
Overseeding involves spreading new grass seed across an established lawn to make it healthier and more vibrant. Refreshing your lawn in this manner also assists in adding thickness, filling bare spots that would otherwise welcome weeds and moss.
To use it, simply scatter the seeds by hand and rake them into the earth – this guarantees that the seed establishes proper contact with the soil, which it requires for sprouting. Whilst it’s not essential to bury the seeds with soil, you do need to apply pressure to the seeds to ensure they bond with the soil for them to germinate.
After pressing the seeds into the soil, it’s time for a gentle watering. It’s more beneficial to water lightly three or four times a day than to drench the soil once a day.