As autumn settles in and temperatures start to drop, it’s the perfect time to give your lawn some extra care to prepare it for winter. Autumn lawn care is essential to keep your grass healthy, resilient, and ready to thrive when spring arrives. From clearing fallen leaves to applying seasonal fertilisers, a few simple steps now can make a big difference. In this guide, we’ll help ensure you get a lush, green lawn next year. If you only have time to carry out one job, scarify your lawn.
Sweep up Autumn Leaves
Sweep up fallen autumn leaves using a rake such as the Kent & Stowe 3 in 1 Leaf Rake which also convert into detachable leaf grabbers to easily pick the leaves up after you have swept. This is really important as if left on the lawn, the leaves will rot down on top of the grass, causing damage and releasing pathogens, which could cause disease. Don’t let your leaves go to waste though, why not make your own leaf mould?
Remove Moss
Scarifying is the process of vigorously raking old grass stems and moss from lawns. This is a top priority in autumn, especially where turf has suffered during drought. By removing dead material, this simple action helps water and lawn feed to penetrate down into the root zone.
If the lawn is very mossy, treat with Westland Aftercut Moss Killer, which is specially formulated for the colder autumn months. Wait until the moss has turned black (about 2 weeks) and remove the dead moss using a Kent & Stowe Stainless Steel Scarifying Rake. Mow according to grass growth which will start to slow down as the weather cools in October.
Aerate
Spiking a lawn every 15cm or so with a garden fork, a process known as aeration, can relieve compaction and let air and water down to the roots. Aerating only needs to be carried out every few years, unless an area of lawn is heavily compacted. Where lawns sit on heavy clay soils, which are prone to waterlogging, a hollow-tine aerator will extract plugs of soil to improve aeration. Top dressing – a mixture of sand, loam and well-rotted organic matter that improves heavy soil – can then easily be brushed into the holes.
Feed and Condition
To help lawns survive the ravages of winter, treat turf to a feed of specially formulated autumn lawn feed and moss killer. Autumn feeds are rich in potassium, helping lawns to withstand freezing winter weather. They’ll encourage stronger roots and a greener sward over the colder months, too. Never be tempted to use up leftover spring and summer lawn feeds in autumn. They contain too much nitrogen which will encourage fresh, leafy growth that’s at risk of being damaged when frost bites.
Carry out Lawn Repairs
Bare patches can be tackled using Aftercut Patch Fix which is a unique patching mix containing grass seed, feed and seeding soil. It contains coated seeds which give improved germination. It also has quicker seed establishment and features a pet urine neutraliser, making it perfect for pet owners. You can also use Gro-Sure Smart Seed which is a great choice, as this guarantees success in full sun, shade, patches or worn areas. Read our article on how to repair patches for a step by step guide.
Consider Laying Stepping Stones
Now is the perfect time to consider laying stepping stones across the lawn, ready to protect vulnerable winter lawns from foot traffic. Well placed stepping stones allow easy access to areas of the garden such as the shed, compost bin or washing line without damaging the grass.
Create a New Lawn
Another autumn lawn care job is to sow a new lawn from seed. The soil is still warm from the summer and the autumn rain will provide vital moisture as the new lawn develops. It is vital to prepare the soil thoroughly and to keep the developing lawn properly watered. See our guide on how to sow a new lawn for step by step instructions.
Overseeding
Adding grass seed to areas of sparse, patchy lawn is a proven way to thicken-up existing turf. Scarify and aerate the lawn first, then sow seed evenly across the lawn. You’ll need to keep overseeded areas well-watered and avoid walking on the area for at least a few weeks.
New lawns from seed germinate brilliantly in autumn when the soil is warm and moist, giving roots time to establish ahead of winter. Before sowing, dig soil over, remove weeds, roots and stones, firm down carefully and rake the soil level. Sow grass seed evenly at a rate of around 20 to 25g per square metre then lightly rake the soil over, so most of the seeds are covered. Water well and ensure the soil remains moist while seeds germinate and establish.
Adjust the Setting on Your Mower
As the weather starts to change, the grass will be growing much more slowly. Adjust the cutting height on your lawnmower so that it cuts the grass higher.
Mow about once a fortnight until about mid-October, depending on weather conditions. Re-cut the lawn edges with a half-moon edging iron to create a neat finish. Trim the lawn edges every week using lawn-edging shears to give a neat finish.
Weeding
Where temperatures remain mild and broad-leaved weeds such as clover, daisy and dandelions are still growing, spot-treat them with a selective, glyphosate-free lawn weedkiller. Never use general-purpose weedkiller on lawns, as it will damage all the surrounding grass.
