This time around we thought with autumn rapidly approaching we could write a little blog post for our customers and visitors to help keep the lawns in top condition this autumn. As the UK transitions from summer to autumn, your lawn undergoes significant changes, preparing itself for the colder months ahead. Understanding the science behind autumn lawn care can help you make informed decisions that will keep your lawn lush and healthy year-round. Here are seven tasks we recommend doing this autumn as part of your autumn lawn care.
1. Rake Up Leaves Regularly
When leaves fall onto your lawn, they block sunlight, hindering photosynthesis—the process by which grass produces energy. Without adequate light, grass can weaken and become more susceptible to diseases. Leaves that are left to decompose create a damp environment that fosters the growth of fungi, such as Fusarium patch (Microdochium nivale), which can cause unsightly dead patches. By raking regularly, you remove this layer of potential trouble, ensuring that your grass continues to photosynthesise and maintain its strength as it prepares for winter dormancy.
2. Mow Your Lawn Correctly
Autumn lawn care is important as the temperatures drop, the rate of photosynthesis in grass slows down due to reduced sunlight and cooler temperatures. However, grass still needs to maintain some growth to store energy in its roots for winter. By mowing your lawn to a height of 2 – 2.5 inches, you leave enough leaf surface area for photosynthesis while reducing the risk of frost damage. Taller grass also helps shade the soil, maintaining a more stable temperature and moisture level, which is crucial as the weather becomes more unpredictable.
3. Aerate the Soil
Soil compaction is a common issue, particularly after the heavy use of lawns during summer. Compacted soil restricts the movement of air, water, and nutrients to the grass roots, which can lead to shallow root systems and poor grass health. Aeration—by making small holes in the soil—reduces compaction and enhances the oxygen exchange in the soil. This oxygen boost stimulates beneficial soil microorganisms that decompose organic matter, releasing essential nutrients for the grass. Moreover, aeration encourages deeper root growth, making your lawn more resilient to drought and cold. This is a great task to add as part of a lawn renovation.
4. Over-seed Bare Patches
Bare patches on your lawn are vulnerable to erosion, weed invasion, and disease. Overseeding, or spreading grass seed over existing turf, increases grass density, which enhances competition against weeds and improves the lawn’s overall health. The process also introduces new grass varieties that may be more resilient to the specific conditions of your lawn, such as shade or heavy foot traffic. The result is a thicker, more robust lawn that can better withstand winter stress and emerge healthier in the spring. This is a great task to add as part of a lawn renovation after aerating and topdressing.
5. Apply Autumn Fertiliser
Autumn fertilisers are specially formulated to provide the nutrients that grass needs at this time of year. These fertilisers are high in potassium, which plays a crucial role in the overall health and winter hardiness of grass. Potassium helps regulate water uptake, enhances the development of strong cell walls, and improves the plant’s resistance to diseases and environmental stresses such as frost. Phosphorus is also another important nutrient to ensure your lawn gets enough of as it helps your lawn recover from stress and helps with root growth and development. By applying a slow-release autumn fertiliser, you ensure that your grass continues to receive nutrients over an extended period, bolstering its reserves and preparing it for winter dormancy. Whilst this is 4th on the list for autumn lawn care it is probably one of the most important tasks as it really gives your lawn that last boost before winter.
6. Treat Weeds, Moss, and Lawn Pests
Weeds and moss compete with grass for water, nutrients, and light, often outcompeting the grass and leading to weak, patchy areas. Autumn is an ideal time to treat these issues because the cooler temperatures reduce the risk of damaging the grass. Selective herbicides target broadleaf weeds without harming the grass, while moss treatments typically contain iron sulphate, which kills moss and improves the lawn’s green colour. Additionally, autumn is the time when lawn pests like leatherjackets (the larvae of crane flies) and chafer grubs are most active. These pests feed on grass roots, causing significant damage. Biological treatments, such as nematodes, are a natural and effective way to control these pests by infecting and killing the larvae.
7. Topdress Your Lawn
Topdressing involves applying a thin layer of material, such as top soil, sand, or specialist top dressing over your lawn. This practice enhances soil structure by adding organic matter and improving drainage, which is particularly beneficial in the UK’s often clay-heavy soils. This is best done after aerating your lawn with hollow tines as it allows the top dressing down into the soil profile. A well-structured soil allows for better root systems and water infiltration, reducing the risk of waterlogging and root diseases. The added organic matter also boosts microbial activity, promoting a healthy soil ecosystem that supports vigorous grass growth. After aerating and overseeding, topdressing further protects new grass seeds, aiding in even germination and establishment. This is a great task to add as part of a lawn renovation before overseeding.
Final Thoughts From Us
Autumn lawn care is about understanding the biological processes at play in your garden and working with them to ensure your lawn remains healthy and resilient. By applying these practices, you’re not just maintaining your lawn—you’re setting the stage for a vibrant, green landscape that will thrive year after year. Embrace these autumn tasks, and your lawn will reward you with robust growth, fewer weeds, and a head start when spring arrives.
If all of this is to much for you then call today and get booked in for a free consultation where we can get all of these done for you as part of an autumn lawn renovation to prepare your lawn to look the best it has done and leaving your neighbours envious. If you are not sure what results might look like or the process have a look at our last post where we talked about a spring renovation
