Lawns will grow thicker and greener if gardeners do 3 easy maintenance jobs in October
Taking 10 minutes to do a few simple gardening tasks in October will help prepare your lawn for winter so you have a lusher and healthier grass next year.
Many gardeners may be thinking of putting away their mower but lawn maintenance is crucial in autumn for anyone wanting thicker and healthier grass.
Lawns tend to be dried out after summer due to the harsh heat and it is important to help grass now before they go dormant in winter.
Taking 10 minutes to do some autumn lawn care ensures lawns go into their dormant phase strong and improves soil health which will encourage thicker growth next spring.
David Domoney, a chartered horticulturist best known for presenting Love Your Garden, has shared some of the most important gardening jobs to do in October to help take care of lawns.
He said: “Don’t leave your lawn to suffer from the summer heat. It’s important to give your lawn a bit of TLC to keep it going through the winter months.”
How to keep your lawn healthy and strong in October
Pick up the leaves
Autumn is known for its beautiful colourful foliage but it is essential to pick up any fallen leaves on your lawn as they can prevent sunlight from reaching the grass
Grass needs sunlight to store energy over winter and without sufficient light, the grass will weaken and could even begin to wilt away.
Leaves also trap moisture underneath them which creates a damp environment that can encourage mould, pests such as slugs, and fungus diseases to spread in the garden.
David said: “Fallen leaves can suffocate your lawn, damaging the health of the grass.
“To reduce the risk of diseases and keep moss at bay make sure to collect up any leaves on a regular basis.”
Fertilise
October is the best time to fertilise lawns as it will strengthen the roots as grass prepares to go dormant, which will help enhance nutrient and water storage to store energy.
Having energy stored is important for lawns to increase grass resilience during freezing cold temperatures and will also help the lawn quickly recover when the temperature rises again in spring.
Fertilising now will also make the grass much stronger and more competitive against weeds which may germinate in winter may begin growing so you will have less to do once spring arrives.
David said: “Apply an organic fertilizer to toughen the roots for the coming cold months.
“Select one specifically designed for autumn as these have been formulated with all the nutrients your greenery needs to keep its strength up. For a dry lawn, opt for a liquid feed which you can pick up from your local garden centre.”
Last mow before winter
Fungal diseases, mould and moss can grow quickly on lawns in autumn due to the damp weather, but giving the grass a final mow before winter enhances air circulation so they do not have a chance to spread.
However, it is important to note that you should never mow the grass once the first frost arrives in late October to early November, but the exact time you should stop cutting the grass will be different depending on where you live.
Once you have given the grass its final mow then it is best to do some maintenance on your gardening equipment so it is in perfect condition once there is more to do in the garden in spring.
David said: “Grass may be slow to grow this time of year, so it's best to raise your mowing height. This gives the grass the opportunity to recover from summer use and retain water.
“Now’s a good time to give your mower a full clean as the growing season ends. You can do this with your garden hose, rinsing off grime and debris.”
