Autumn is the perfect time to give your lawn some TLC so it’ll be looking its best come summertime!

As the weather gets cooler, it’s time to give your lawn some TLC! Autumn lawn care is super important for keeping your lawn healthy and gorgeous all year round. It might not seem like it at first, but this is actually the perfect time of year for your lawn to bounce back after a hot summer and get ready for winter. The ground is still nice and warm and moist in September and October, which is just perfect for your grass to grow and recover.

Why is autumn lawn maintenance important?

It’s so important to take care of your lawn in the autumn! The ground is still nice and warm, and the autumn rains have kept it nice and green. These lovely conditions help the grass to become better rooted and stronger before winter arrives. If you prepare your lawn well before winter, you can help it to be thick, healthy and beautifully green in spring.
Before the winter weather sets in, there are just a few simple tasks you can do to make sure your lawn is all set for the cold months ahead.

1. Mowing the lawn – It’s so important to do the last mowing well, as it’ll help to get rid of any excess matter that could otherwise lead to mildew. Just trim the grass to a height of about 4-5 cm, and it’ll be as good as new!
2. Leaf picking – It’s so important to rake fallen leaves regularly to keep your lawn looking its best! A layer of leaves on the surface can restrict light and increase moisture, so it’s good to give your lawn a little TLC to keep it healthy and happy. These conditions can encourage the development of fungi and disease, so it’s important to keep an eye on things!
3. Re-seeding bare spots – If there are any bare patches left on your lawn after the summer, don’t worry! It’s the perfect time to re-seed them. This step is really important because it helps the grass to grow evenly and prevents any unsightly bare spots.
4. Verticulating the lawn – If you missed this step in the spring, don’t worry! Autumn is the perfect time to do it. Verticulating is a great way to improve soil permeability, encourage grass growth and help remove moss or dead matter.

Lawn maintenance in autumn

1. Lawn mowing – When you’re ready, give your grass a nice, long mow until it’s completely stopped growing. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll usually want to do the last mow in October or early November. By mowing regularly, you’ll help your lawn to grow nice and strong!
2. Leaf raking – Fallen leaves can sometimes get in the way of the lovely light and fresh air we all love, so it’s a great idea to give them a little lift every now and then. In parts of the garden where there’s not so much foot traffic, leaves can provide a lovely little home for animals like hedgehogs.
3. Lawn overseeding – Bare spots after the summer heat are ideally overseeded in the autumn. First remove the damaged areas, prepare the soil and then apply the lawn seed along with fertiliser.
4. Verticulation – Verticulation is a great way to help the soil absorb water better and encourage your turf to grow back stronger! This is a great step to take if you want to remove moss and dead matter that might be getting in the way of your grass growing properly.
5. Lawn fertilisation – Using an autumn fertiliser with higher phosphorus and potassium content will prepare your lawn for winter and promote a stronger root system. However, avoid fertilisers high in nitrogen, which can stimulate grass growth, which is undesirable in autumn.