September is here, and this month is when we’re likely to see a big shift in the weather. It’ll start to cool down, get darker in the evenings, and the leaves will change colour and begin to fall from the trees.
Having said that, there’s still plenty of work to be done in the garden – especially where your lawn is concerned. They need a bit of attention and care before winter hits and things slow down. And if you want your grass to be thicker and stronger than ever, then there’s one key job that should be on your list this month.
Richard Barker, a gardening expert and commercial director of LBS Horticulture, says September is the perfect time to seed your garden lawn before winter arrives. He explained:
“During September, the soil will still be warm from summer, making it ideal for germination. The higher levels of rainfall also help to keep the soil consistently moist, creating the ideal conditions for new grass to establish.
“Additionally, sowing at this time ensures that the lawn is able to root deeply before spring, which can result in stronger and thicker grass.”
How to seed your lawn in September
Before you get to work on seeding your lawn, it might be a good idea to aerate and scarify it first, if it’s looking untidy or worse for wear after the summer.
Richard said: “Scarifying your lawn will remove the layer of thatch or moss that may have built up, and this can affect air circulation or stop water and nutrients from reaching the roots of the grass.
“Scarification should be followed with aeration, which will alleviate compacted soil and improve drainage.”
Once you’ve identified any patches of grass that need feeding, sprinkle on the seeds and give the surface a rake to mix them in with the soil. Roll or tread the surface to ensure there’s good contact between the soil and the seeds.
Water it twice a day, or even more if it’s warm, to help it establish and stop it from drying out. You should see new grass shoots start to appear within 10-14 days.
September is also a great time to give the rest of your garden a general tidy-up, according to Richard.
He said: “Before the damp weather sets in, you can take advantage of the fairly dry conditions in September to clean up your garden.
“Falling leaves and excess moisture can create the ideal environment for algae, mould and debris to build up, which can increase the risk of pests and diseases among plants.”
And, to help your soil recover after summer, make sure to add bark, mulch or other soil improvers to restore fertility, improve drainage and improve soil structure.
Richard added: “September is the ideal time for this as the soil temperature is relatively warm, and warmer temperatures encourage microbial activity that break down the improvements so they can integrate with the soil.”