Autumn Lawn Care: Turffit’s 8 tips for a healthy, vibrant lawn

Achieve a Thriving Autumn Lawn with Turffit: 8 Must-Know Care Tips

As the crisp air of autumn begins to replace the summer heat, your lawn requires special attention to prepare it for the colder months ahead. While it might be tempting to sit back and enjoy the colourful foliage, autumn is a critical time for lawn care. With the right steps, you can ensure your grass remains healthy and lush, not just through the fall, but well into the next growing season. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to keep your lawn in top condition this autumn.

1. Continue mowing, but adjust the height

Throughout the fall, it’s important to continue mowing your lawn. However, as the season progresses, gradually lower the cutting height of your mower. Aim to keep your grass around 2.5 to 3 inches tall. This height strikes the perfect balance—it’s short enough to prevent matting under the winter snow, yet long enough to protect the root system.

Cutting the grass too short can stress the plants, while leaving it too long invites disease and pests. Remember, sharp mower blades are essential for a clean cut, so make sure to sharpen them before the season starts.

2. Rake regularly to remove leaves

Fallen leaves are a quintessential part of autumn, but they can wreak havoc on your lawn if left unattended. A thick layer of leaves blocks sunlight, trapping moisture underneath, which creates the perfect environment for fungal diseases like snow mould.

Regularly raking or using a leaf blower to remove leaves helps keep your grass healthy. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly approach, consider using a mulching mower that shreds leaves into fine pieces, allowing them to decompose and nourish the soil.

3. Aerate your lawn

Autumn is the ideal time to aerate your lawn, especially if your soil is compacted or if you’ve noticed areas of poor drainage. Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots more effectively.

You can rent an aerator from most garden centres or hire a professional to do the job. Core aeration is the most effective method, as it removes small plugs of soil, reducing compaction and promoting healthy root growth.

4. Feed your lawn with a fall fertiliser

Feeding your lawn with a specially formulated autumn fertiliser is crucial. During autumn, grass focuses on root growth, so a fertiliser high in potassium will support strong root development and improve the lawn’s ability to withstand the winter.

Apply the fertiliser in early autumn, about six weeks before the first expected frost. This timing ensures that your lawn absorbs the nutrients before the ground freezes. Look for a fertiliser labelled as “autumn” or “winter” for best results.

5. Overseed to repair bare spots

If your lawn has suffered from summer stress, autumn is the perfect time to overseed. Overseeding involves spreading grass seed over your existing lawn to fill in bare spots and thicken the turf.

Choose a grass seed that matches your existing lawn and is suited to your climate. For cool-season grasses, autumn provides the ideal conditions for seed germination, thanks to the cooler temperatures and increased moisture. After overseeding, keep the soil consistently moist until the new grass is well-established.

6. Control weeds

Weeds are opportunistic and can take advantage of any weak spots in your lawn. Applying a pre-emergent herbicide in early autumn can help prevent weeds like dandelions and crabgrass from taking root in the spring.

If you’re dealing with perennial weeds like clover or thistle, spot-treat them with a post-emergent herbicide. Be cautious when applying herbicides, and always follow the instructions to avoid damaging your grass.

7. Water wisely

Autumn typically brings more rain and cooler temperatures, which reduces the need for frequent watering. However, it’s important to monitor your lawn’s moisture levels, especially if your region experiences a dry spell.

Deep, infrequent watering encourages deep root growth, making your lawn more resilient through winter. Water early in the morning to minimize evaporation and avoid watering in the evening, as prolonged moisture can encourage disease.

8. Prepare for winter

As winter approaches, it’s time to prepare your lawn for the dormant season. Gradually reduce the frequency of mowing and watering. Once you’ve given your lawn its final mow, clear any remaining leaves or debris to prevent suffocation and disease.

Consider applying a light topdressing of compost to improve soil structure and add organic matter. This will give your lawn a nutrient boost that will be ready for uptake when spring arrives.

Autumn is a season of transition, and with a little extra care, you can set your lawn up for success. By continuing to mow, removing leaves, aerating, fertilising, overseeding, controlling weeds, and watering wisely, your lawn will not only survive the winter but thrive in the spring.

I can assure you that the effort you put into your lawn this autumn will pay off with a lush, green carpet of grass when the warmer months return.