A gardening expert has shared a crucial tip for maintaining your lawn this autumn, warning against leaving fallen fruit on the grass. As autumn sets in, lawns can become littered with fallen leaves, fruit and thatch, blocking essential nutrients, water and air that grass needs to survive, and providing a breeding ground for diseases.
Jonathan Davis, a grass expert at Lawnsmith, said: “Lawns need to be able to breathe and get nutrients and water easily. It’s important to clear any debris from your lawn to maintain its strength and health. Falling leaves can create a bulky layer that grass struggles to survive underneath.
“Fallen fruit can also pose a risk. Left on the ground, these fruits begin to rot and become ideal breeding grounds for various types of bacteria. This not only spreads disease across your lawn and potentially to nearby plants, but can attract unwanted pests and insects.
“If organic matter such as dead grass and moss is left on your lawn, it can attach itself to your turf and become tricky to remove. It creates a layer that is spongy underfoot, also known as thatch and can stump grass growth.”
Remove ‘as soon as possible’
To prevent the build-up of thatch, it’s advised to remove debris ‘as soon as possible’ before it becomes embedded in your turf or starts to cause damage.
“A garden rake is extremely useful at this time of year when lawns become cluttered with leaves, twigs, moss and the odd fallen apple. It’s essentially like sweeping your grass, it clears the surface,” Jonathan added.
“If thatch has started to form on your lawn, you might need to scarify to remove deeper blockages. Scarifying refers to using an automated scarifier or a spring tine rake to break up the foundation of your lawn to remove thatch and other organic matter that has attached itself to your grass.”
Scarifying can inflict temporary harm to lawns and if carried out when grass is vulnerable, such as during periods when temperatures are too cold for growth, the damage can prove permanent.
Jonathan explained: “Regular raking should prevent the need for a whole lawn scarification, but if you do get some hard-to-remove thatch, make sure you check the forecast and ensure your grass isn’t dormant.”
