A LUSCIOUS lawn that gets the neighbours talking can be easily achieved with a £1 trick, according to a gardening expert.
Timothy Green revealed the efforts made this autumn will result in a thick and thriving lawn when spring arrives.
“low angle of frosted grass, intentional flare to emphasize sun on frost”[/caption]
Hand full of grass seeds above an area of the lawn with no grass.[/caption]
The expert from iCANLAWN.com spoke about bare patches from summer being a gardeners main focus in October.
He revealed these patches can be transformed by spring using the process of overseeding.
“The clue is in the name for what overseeding is, and it is a simple process but there are a few checks you should do beforehand,” he said.
Among them is ensuring that the weather has been above 10 degrees consistently for around two weeks.
He warned that grass seeds will struggle to germinate if the temperature has been too hot or cold, making October the perfect time to get stuck in.
Any moss, dead grass, or weeds should also be removed before using seeds.
“Then you should mow the lawn as you won’t be able to while the new grass is growing,” he said.
“And if you have any areas that are uneven, or have low-quality soil, use some topsoil to even these out.
“Then it’s time to ‘overseed’ the worn zones. Aim for a rate of 35g of seeds per square metre.”
Green said a rake can be useful for making sure that there is adequate space for the grass to grow.
He then uses a £1 coin trick that is essential for helping gardeners to check if they’re overseeing correctly.
“Three-pound coins stacked is the right depth for your seeds to access water, heat and sunlight,” he said.
Within seven to 10 days the results of overseeding will be visible with the soil plugs beginning to break down.
The grass will appear “fuller and healthier” as the seeds continue to germinate.
Experts recommended waiting until the new grass is around five centimetres before mowing for the first time.
Best results are achieved by using the highest setting on lawnmowers and watering seedlings daily for around six weeks.
Other lawn tasks to do in October
Craig Wilson, Gardening expert and founder of Gardeners Dream said: “October is a key month for lawn care as the weather shifts to cooler temperatures and heavier rain.
“Aerating your lawn is one of the most important tasks this month.
“Using a garden fork or an aerator will help the soil breathe and improve drainage, reducing the risk of waterlogging.
“Wet weather can also encourage moss growth, so applying a good quality moss killer early this month will keep it under control before it spreads.”
He told Fabulous exclusively: “Clearing leaves is another essential job for this month.
“If leaves are left to pile up on your lawn, they can block out sunlight and trap moisture which could lead to mould or dead patches in the grass.
Craig suggests gardeners consistently pick up leaves during the autumn/winter months[/caption]
“Make a habit of raking them up regularly, especially after heavy winds!”
Another job to do is adjusting the height of your mower blade.
Craig suggests raising it to “avoid cutting the grass too short”.
He added: “Leaving the blades a little longer will help protect the lawn as it faces colder weather.
“Grass that’s too short is much more vulnerable to stress from both cold and wet conditions.
“Lastly, an easy hack to prevent your lawn from staying wet for too long is to use a leaf blower on damp patches to speed up the drying process.
“Whilst this is not always essential, it can benefit areas of your lawn that have been waterlogged and are taking longer to dry out than other areas of the garden.”
Seasonal lawn care schedule
Lawn care varies from season to season, with some tasks helping to encourage growth and root development whilst others help maintain the soil quality.
Claire Baglin, landscaping category manager from Toolstation has shared lawn care tasks and tips for each season:
Spring (March, April, May)
- Start to mow the grass bi-weekly in March when the soil and air temperatures typically reach above 6C.
- Fertilise the lawn for the first time during March using some quick-release fertiliser that is rich in nitrogen to help promote shoot growth.
- Scarify the lawn for the first time during April to remove any built-up moss or thatch that can accumulate throughout the winter.
- Aerate the lawn during April by spiking holes into the soil surface. This will help to loosen the soil and encourage growth.
- Overseeding can also be carried out throughout April to patch up any thin or bare areas of grass.
Summer (June, July, August)
- From June start to cut your grass once a week – apart from in periods of extreme heat and droughts. Increase the cutting height to protect the lawn from any possible droughts.
- In June make sure to treat the lawn for any weeds – this can either be manual removal for individual weeds or using weed killer for larger clusters.
- During July and August make sure to water the lawn at least once a week by giving it a soak for 5-10 minutes.
Autumn (September, October, November)
- From September reduce the lawn mowing frequency back to once every two weeks and conduct the last mow of the year in November.
- Fertilise the lawn for a second time during October using a slow-release fertiliser that is rich in phosphorous and potassium to strengthen the lawn.
- Throughout October and November remove any fallen leaves and other debris from the lawn surface.
Winter (December, January, February)
- From December to the end of February leave the lawn alone. Grass typically does not grow in the colder winter temperatures.
- Winter is the perfect time of the year to conduct any lawnmower maintenance including checking over the blades and filters.
