After a long hot summer your lawn may be riddled with unpleasant dry patches – luckily, gardening expert Monty Don says there’s an easy fix so long as you get to work in September
After a long dry summer your grass may be looking worse for wear – luckily, September is the perfect time to repair it.
While many of us are making the most of the sweltering weather, it hasn’t been ideal for many plants. Since many UK wildlife and flora are adapted to cooler temperatures, they can struggle greatly in the heat. The same goes for grass, as many are realising that we may have taken our lush green lawns for granted.
As summer draws to a close, you may be noticing large unsightly patches of yellow, dead grass across your lawn. Luckily, while it can’t be reversed, there is an easy fix. According to BBC presenter and gardening expert Monty Don, the best way to rejuvenate your lawn is to sow new seeds or turf fresh grass once September swings around.
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Monty writes in his blog: “[September] is an ideal time of year to either sow or turf new grass or to repair patches and worn areas on your lawn.”
According to Monty, if you’re dealing with just a worn area of thin grass, you should rake away all thatch and moss and remove all weeds. Then, thinly scatter grass seed and water it well to keep it damp.
He explains that the seed should germinate and grow within days. Although he warns not to mow it for “at least a month and if it looks unsightly going into winter”. Instead, you should trim the new growth with shears.
If you’re working with a larger area, Monty advises cleaning the edges with a sharp spade, then forking it over to get rid of any compaction .
After, you can either scatter with seed or cut a piece of turf to fit. If you do cut a piece of turf, make sure the edges are “butted tightly” against the existing grass.
Although, it should be noted that, as with grass seed, Monty says that it is important “that turf should not be walked on or mown until growing vigorously”.
This is because rampant growth will indicate that the roots have become established and are growing strongly. He adds: “Depending on the weather, this may mean leaving it uncut until next spring.”
Your lawn isn’t the only part of your garden that can be spruced up in September, either. This month is also an ideal time to plant spring bulbs like daffodils, tulips and crocuses, as well as harvest crops like apples, pears and pumpkins.