Gardeners urged to do essential lawn job 'before the end of the month'
One expert has issued a word of warning when it comes to looking after lawns as the colder winter months are approaching.
Gardening can feel like a full-time job when it comes to the amount of time and effort that you put into it.
However, experts have now revealed the simple steps to repairing any wear and tear on a lawn to get it ready for the colder months.
From kids playing football to four-legged friends scratching with their claws, grass takes a fair amount of punishment over the warmer months as people spend more time outside.
But specialists have revealed the easy methods for patching up the bald spots to ensure your treasured turf will look lush again next year.
Ben Agnew, grass expert at Lawnsmith, said: “Lawns that get any kind of use over the summer months are bound to look slightly bedraggled by the time autumn arrives.
“Gardens are there to be enjoyed and there's no better time for this than when the weather is warmer. But with less rainfall and plenty of footfall, they can look far from their best by the time kids go back to school.
“However, repairing these wear and tear zones is a relatively simple job - using just a few tools and taking no longer than an hour.
“And the rewards will be well worth it as action is taken now, before the weather turns really cold, will ensure healthy grass come next year.”
Agnew said that the process is called “overseeding” and is best done before the end of this month.
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He explained: “That’s because the ground is still warm and will give the new grass time to establish a root system that can withstand the harsher conditions.
“It’s best to mow your whole lawn first as you won’t be able to do this while the new seeds are establishing themselves.
“Rake away debris and leave it for around 10 days to cultivate. If weeds appear during this time, remove them by hand.
“Put fast-acting fertiliser on the area and water it until dissolved. This will help to encourage growth from the start. Then it’s time to overseed the worn zones. Aim for a rate of 35g of seeds per square metre.”
It’s key to keep feet and paws off the treated patches for a while, and water daily for the first six weeks unless there is some decent rainfall. Holes or completely bare patches are also fairly easy to get back to full health.
Agnew continued: “Cut away the affected grass and build up the area with compost or topsoil until it is level. Once the seeds are sown, add some more soil to keep the birds away and then keep the area moist to encourage the necessary growth.
“One thing to be careful of is overwatering. It’s much better to do it little and often rather than spending ages drenching it with a hose.
“With a bit of time invested and some knowledge about what works, it’s pretty easy to get your lawn in shape and keep it that way into next year.”
