Television gardener Monty Don says autumn is the ideal time to give your lawn much-needed attention through one or two straightforward jobs. Your grass may have endured a battering over the summer months and may look browner than a lush carpet of healthy greenery, but all of this can be fixed by investing a small amount of effort at this time of year.
Plenty of us are left with a rather sorry-looking excuse for a garden 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", reports the Express.
Let it breathe
Aerating your lawn is an uncomplicated task requiring nothing more than 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 step involves accepting a little temporary discomfort for substantial long-term rewards. He notes: "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 patched and struggling sections of your 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."
The remainder will sort itself out 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."
If you're dealing with a more extensive issue, there are a few additional steps required. Monty explains: "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.
