AUTUMN LAWN CARE

Whether it’s a manicured lawn or one with lots of wildflowers (like mine), they will both benefit from some extra care and attention in early autumn.

By now, our lawns can be looking a little the worse for wear, the hot, dry weather and increased use, and can take their toll.

The good news is early autumn is ideal for carrying out some simple maintenance, and your grass should recover well before winter arrives.

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• Whilst the temperature is still mild enough, continue to cut the grass, just ensure you raise the blades higher than the usual cutting height to prevent damage.

• When the lawn is not wet you can scarify by using a spring-tined rake to remove old thatch or moss.

• Aerate the lawn, which is good for poorly drained lawns and after increased use causing compaction. This improves the circulation among the grass roots, helping the lawn to withstand periods of drought or water logging. Simply spike the lawn with a garden fork, space each set of holes 10–15cm apart. If you have a large lawn, just concentrate on areas that receive the most wear or use an aerating roller.

• The next step is top dressing; this involves applying a mix of loam, sand and well-rotted organic matter or top soil to fill the aeration holes.

• You can then re-seed any bare patches before the temperatures drop, Don’t delay as if the weather turns cold, the seeds won’t germinate.