Monty Don is urging gardeners to aerate their lawns this October to help them recover from the hot, dry summer. The television gardener says this month offers the chance to give grass much-needed attention with one or two straightforward tasks.
Many homeowners are left with a sorry-looking lawn, but Monty insists: "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 a lawn is a straightforward job requiring only a garden fork and a rake. He explains: "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 stage involves accepting a little short-term sacrifice for long-term reward. He advises: "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 remedy patchy and weak sections of the lawn. He explains this can be approached depending on individual circumstances: "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."
The remainder will happen naturally. He explains: "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."
Should this prove to be a more extensive issue, there are a few additional measures required. 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.
