As the mercury begins to fall and autumn approaches, gardening experts advise that lawn maintenance should not cease. Despite the temptation to pack away the lawnmower until spring, September is actually an ideal time to prepare your grass for the following year.
While the frequency of mowing will likely drop compared to the summer months, Dobbies’ plant buyer Nigel Lawton advises that you should continue to trim the lawn until its growth halts for the year. However, there is a crucial rule to adhere to when mowing during this month.
It might come as a surprise, but he stressed the importance of increasing your mower blade height now to stop cutting the grass too short. According to the Daily Record, Nigel said: “Continue to cut your lawn in autumn for as long as the grass is growing.
“To avoid damaging your lawn, raise the blade height as temperatures dip and don’t mow in wet or frosty conditions.” Trimming grass blades too sharply can strain your lawn.
Lawnsmith UK also concurs with the advice to modify the height of the mower’s blades. “Modifying your mower’s cutting height will assist in minimising strain on your lawn whilst the grass blades will preserve greater moisture levels, enabling it to remain verdant and robust,” it said, as per the report.
Gardeners should only cease mowing when the grass stops growing. This typically occurs in late October or even November, depending on the weather.
Nigel also has some additional tips for September lawn care that will ensure your grass is as healthy as possible next year.
1. Feed and strengthen
Most patchy or damaged lawns will recover naturally after the summer, but there are ways to lend a hand at this time of year. He said: “A specialist autumn lawn feed will help to give tired grass a boost.
“Autumn feeds encourage strong root development and toughen grass ahead of the colder months, but be sure to choose a feed designed for autumn use.”
2. Tidy and treat
When it comes to tidying and treating, Nigel advised: “Brush top-dressing over your lawn to smooth uneven areas while encouraging thicker growth. Rake away fallen leaves to prevent rot, and keep moss at bay by scarifying before it gets too cold to allow grass time to recover.
“It might look patchy at first, but this process allows grass to breathe and will lead to a healthier lawn long-term.”
3. Improve drainage
To improve drainage and airflow, Nigel recommends aerating your lawn with a garden fork or scarifying machine. He continued: “This helps roots grow strong and resilient and be able to withstand periods of waterlogging.
“If you have a larger lawn, don’t worry about aerating the full area, just focus on sections that are worn down.” Implementing these steps will lay the foundations for a lush, green lawn next spring.