Start getting your lawn into shape no matter what the season, with our lawn care top tips…
The simplest option is to scarify (rake) the lawn. Scarifying your lawn will help it to cope better in times of drought and will increase air circulation for the individual plants, reducing the risk of fungal infection. The term ‘Thatch’ is just old lawn clippings not picked up by the mower, moss and other debris that has accumulated in the lawn. Over time this will spoil the appearance of your lawn and reduce the amount of light, air and moisture available to the grass plants. Use a spring-tined rake to remove the ‘thatch’ that has built up. First work in one direction and then go in the opposite direction, using enough pressure to remove debris without uprooting the grass itself. If you have a particularly large lawn or don’t have the time to do it by hand, you can purchase or hire powered scarifiers or attachments to mowers. Alternatively, if you fancy a bit of extra exercise, but can’t face the whole lawn, you could scarify smaller sections each Autumn. Don’t panic if the lawn looks patchy and rough afterwards. It will soon recover and be better for it in the long run.
What is aeration? Aerating simply means to spike the lawn and open up the structure to allow for better air circulation. Ideally this should be done every 2 or 3 years. If your lawn area is relatively small, you can simply use a garden fork, pushed into the lawn as far as you can and wriggle it back and forth to open up the lawn. This allows air to penetrate and moisture to reach the lawn’s root zone and will relieve compaction. Again, if you are short on time, concentrate on areas that are used the most or look worn. And aerate a different section each Autumn.
Lawns that grown on clay soils or ones that can get particularly waterlogged benefit from hollow-tined aerators. These remove a tiny plug of soil each time they penetrate the ground, opening up the surface to allow air in. Simply brush the soil plugs off the lawn when you’ve finished and add the debris to the compost.
Hiring a Lawn Aerator can cost from as little as £15 up to around £200 depending on the length of time you hire it and the type of Aerator you need.
Why do we top dress? Well, it helps to improve the texture and drainage of the soil beneath the lawn, which provides the grass with a better rooting medium and in turn your lawn looks denser.
You can either buy Top dressing ready mixed from reputable Garden Retailers or you can make your own. Decide on a measuring container such as a bucket and mix the following:
3 parts sandy loam (you can obtain this from larger Garden Retailers),
6 parts sharp sand
1 part peat-free multi-purpose compost (or use your own compost)
Apply 2 to 3kg per square metre. This is roughly a shovel load. Once scattered over the aerated lawn, work into the holes with the back of a rake or brush it over the lawn with a broom. It should disappear into the holes. Again, don’t worry if it doesn’t immediately look great. The rain will soon help to wash it into the lawn.
Most lawn will recover quickly from the wear and tear of summer footfall. But if you feel your lawn is looking a bit shabby and needs a boost, applying a specially formulated Autumn feed will help. This provides the grass plants with the correct level of nutrients for it to put on strong root growth going into winter rather than lush top growth.
As you prepare your lawn for the upcoming winter, it’s also the perfect time to consider how your garden as a whole fits into the beautiful Cotswold landscape. Whether you’re working on a small patch of grass or a sprawling estate, enlisting the help of a garden designer in the Cotswolds can elevate your outdoor space to the next level. A professional designer will not only help you select the best plants and materials for the unique conditions of your garden but also create a harmonious design that complements the natural beauty of the region. So, as you care for your lawn this autumn, think about how a garden designer can help you achieve the garden of your dreams, blending practicality with the timeless charm of the Cotswolds.
