Gardening expert Monty Don has advised that this month offers the ideal opportunity to care for lawns damaged by the hot, dry summer. With just a couple of straightforward tasks, gardeners can help their grass recover and ensure a much better lawn next year.
After a gruelling summer, many lawns may look more sorry than lush. According to Monty Don, a little hard work now can turn things around. He reassures that "even if your lawn has come through this summer unscathed, it is always a good idea to aerate it at this time of year".
Let It Breathe
Aerating the lawn is a straightforward job that requires nothing more than a pitchfork and a rake. Monty said: "You can use a fork by working the tines into the ground at 12 inch intervals or, for a larger lawn, hire a rolling hollow-tine or slitter. Ideally this is followed by working sand into the holes they create with a stiff brush."
The final step involves a little short-term effort for long-term reward. Monty added: "Finally give the grass a thorough scratch with a wire rake, to remove all the thatch and moss and whilst it will look a little threadbare this autumn, next spring your lawn will be rejuvenated for this autumnal working over."
Sowing and Reaping
Monty also suggests sowing seeds or laying turf to establish new grass or restore damaged and weak sections of the lawn. He explains this can be approached on an individual basis: "If it is just a worn area of thin grass, rake away all thatch and moss and remove all weeds and thinly scatter grass seed, watering well and keeping it damp."
Nature will do the rest. He adds: "The seed should germinate and grow in days. Do not mow it for at least a month and if it looks unsightly going into winter clip the new growth with shears."
For more extensive problems, there are a few additional steps. Monty advises: "For a larger area clean the edges with a sharp spade, fork it over to remove any compaction and either scatter with seed or cut a piece of turf to fit, making sure that the edges are butted tightly against the existing grass."
Like grass seed, it is important that turf should not be walked on or mown until growing vigorously, which will indicate that the roots have become established and are growing strongly. Depending on the weather, this may mean leaving it uncut until next spring.
