Gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has shared advice on how gardeners can repair brown and bald patches on their lawns to help them survive winter. As autumn approaches, grass growth begins to slow, but September's rainfall can encourage growth after a hot summer that has left many lawns looking dry, thin and patchy.
In a video for Waitrose & Partners, Titchmarsh shared tips on how gardeners can "perk" up their lawns. He said: "The lawn is the centrepiece of the garden. If it looks good, then everything else looks good."
Fixing damaged edges
Grass turns brown when its roots are no longer absorbing necessary nutrients from the soil, or when affected by drought and heat. Titchmarsh explained that this is often part of the grass's natural life cycle and not usually a concern.
For damaged edges, Titchmarsh recommended using a half-moon iron or spade to cut around the affected area, removing a square of turf, turning it around, and filling the gap with soil. He advised adding a handful of grass seed over the surface and watering it to help it grow.
He noted that birds such as pigeons are attracted to the seed, so covering the lawn can protect the work from being undone.
Repairing bare patches with turf
Bare patches may appear on lawns that are walked on often or lack sunlight. Titchmarsh suggested that while pricking the soil and reseeding is an option, replacing the patch with a piece of turf is often easier. He advised laying a larger piece of turf over the bare area, cutting a shape in the middle larger than the patch, and removing the remaining pieces below before placing the fresh turf.
He added: "The way to get it to absolutely match is to take a piece from elsewhere in the lawn if you can spare it. If you're making another border, that's great for patching because it's exactly the same turf." The job should take only a few minutes, and watering afterwards helps the turf settle.
