Now is the perfect time to give your lawns a pick-me-up and revitalise them as the weather turns from a relatively dry start to autumn to wet and windy. This will ensure they are in good shape to get through the winter to spring.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Check your lawns for signs of wear and tear and treat where necessary. Any treatment, whether for formal lawns, hard-wearing lawns or general grass areas, is best carried out before the really cold weather arrives, so there is time for the grass to respond before the soil temperatures fall further and growth finishes for the season.
Scarifying
Regular raking (or scarifying) keeps levels of thatch (old grass stems, dead moss, and other debris) at an acceptable level. Avoid leaving layers of thatch greater than 1cm as this can impede drainage and fertiliser penetration.
To remove thatch, rake vigorously but carefully with a spring-tined rake. For larger areas and professional gardeners, powered scarifiers are ideal.
At £329.99 the Cobra S3840V is a cordless scarifier powered by a 40v 5ah lithium-ion battery and is much quieter and environmentally friendly compared to models with petrol engines.
Aerating
Aerating (or spiking) lawns allows better movement of air and water in the root zone. A well-aerated lawn will manage better in periods of drought or waterlogging. Concentrate on areas that receive the most wear and areas that are compacted.
Small areas can be spiked with a garden fork but this is hard work on large areas or hard clay. Again, power-driven hollow tiners make this task much easier. After hollow-tining, sweep up the plugs and then rake a top-dressing (see below) into the holes to improve air and moisture penetration.
Aerating is ideal for removing thatch and moss turning an unsightly lawn into a thick and luscious grass area. With an aerator, there is no need to rake and fork. This process allows light to reach the roots and relieves compacted soil enabling moisture to reach the roots and avoid water logging.
The Cobra SA40E Electric Scarifier and Aerator two-in-one machine is in stock and comes with free delivery at £153.99.
Top Dressing
After scarifying and aeration comes top-dressing which is the application of loam, sand, and well-rotted organic matter to a lawn to correct surface irregularities and improve the texture of heavy soils. The top dressing fills the holes created by aeration. This process encourages better rooting and thicker grass.
Tackle Moss and Thatch
To stop moss from thriving, you need to tackle the underlying causes.
Moss is often found in patches under trees or hedges. Treat by spreading a moss killer across the lawn and within two weeks the weed will have died and turned black. Remove branches or lower hedges that cast shade to improve drainage. Remove the dead moss by vigorously raking the surface with a spring-tined lawn rake. This also helps to remove any old grass clippings and other debris that can build up on the surface of the lawn, forming a layer called thatch.
Thatch hinders drainage and encourages weeds and turf diseases. Put thatch on your compost heap when finished. For large grass areas, you can use combined rake/scarifier/aerator gardening machines that save time and effort and make light work of these important, often back-breaking tasks.
The Toro 54610 professional petrol scarifier and aerator at £639.00 is suited to larger lawns and professional everyday use.
If you prefer an electric model, the Stiga SV 213 E electric scarifier and aerator comes with a 15m cable and is ideal for small to medium domestic lawns and retails at £176.00.
Lawn Feed
Perk up tired lawns by giving them a feed. Use an autumn lawn fertiliser, which is high in phosphates and potash. This will help strong roots to develop, which will produce healthy grass. Avoid using a spring fertiliser. These contain high levels of nitrogen, which encourages soft, sappy leaf growth that’s vulnerable to disease and could be damaged by frost.
Pick Up Leaves
Make the most of any dry days and rake the lawn to keep it free of leaves. A thick layer of leaves will smother a lawn, weaken the grass, and provide winter shelter for unwelcome garden pests.
Mowing up the leaves not only collects them in a fast and non-back-breaking way but shreds the leaves which speeds up the decay process, especially if they are wet. Mowing also adds grass clippings, increasing the nutrient value of the leaf mould for next spring.
Avoid walking on your lawn when it’s frosted, as this can damage the grass.
Mowers-Online specialises in the supply and service of all leading brands in garden machinery, whether petrol, electric or battery-powered, for all aspects of lawn mowing, lawn care and garden maintenance.
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Our friendly team is on hand to offer expert advice on equipment and gardening best practices – please call 01452 61616