How to Prepare a Lawn for Autumn
It is traditional to give lawns a bit of rejuvenation in September. After a summer of dry heat and wind, your lawn often needs a little TLC to help it last through the autumn and winter months. Before you start on the steps below, make sure that you have had some good rainfall and you can see that your lawn is growing again.
Get Rid of Moss and Thatch Firstly, you need to tackle the moss and thatch that will have built up over summer. Moss tends to be gathered under trees and shrubs, so make sure you look for it thoroughly. spread moss killer over the affected areas, after two weeks you should come back to find that all the moss in your garden has turned black. Then, use a spring-lined lawn rake to rake your entire garden vigorously. This will pull up all the moss and remove the layer of old grass clippings (known as thatch) that will have collated on your turf.
Improve your Garden's Drainage It is important to improve your gardens drainage for the colder months. Areas that are frequently used, such as play areas, can become severely compacted which will effect your lawns drainage. To improve this, push a garden fork all the way into your lawn and move it gently back and forth. Repeat this all over the compacted areas of your garden at 10cm (4 inch) intervals. Then proceed to fill the holes with a sandy top-dressing. This will allow air and water to reach into the depths of your lawn, helping it receive the nutrients it needs.
Feed your Lawn Finally, you much feed your lawn to ensure that it lasts through the autumn and into the winter. Use an autumn fertiliser, do not be tempted to use a spring fertiliser as this will cause leaves to grow flimsy and soft making it prone to disease. Autumn fertiliser helps your plants grow deep strong roots and healthy leaves.