Although the latter months of the year often symbolize preparing for an end or a decline, it’s actually the opposite. Autumn is one of the most crucial seasons for lawn care. Compaction, thatch, and moss can be common problems, but there are effective solutions that can help your lawn remain lush, green, and healthy.
Make the most of any dry days and give your lawn some TLC…
REMOVE LEAVES
We strongly emphasise the importance of consistently removing leaves from your lawn. They may seem harmless, but allowing leaves to gather on your lawn can block out sunlight and air which your grass need to survive. At GreenThumb, we advise you to remove the leaves from your lawn daily or at least once a week.
Your GreenThumb Lawn Operative may be unable to treat your lawn if it’s covered in leaves.
REMOVE FURNITURE
It's crucial to tidy up any items left on the lawn. Leaving items out, especially during cold and wet weather, can have negative consequences. The weight and lack of sunlight can create unsightly dead spots on the grass. Come spring, the affected area will likely have stunted, and thinner growth.
For a thriving grass plant, sufficient light is crucial. After removing leaves and furniture, we recommend to trim shrubs, bushes, and overhanging branches.
MOW THE LAWN
A lot of people stop mowing their lawn around autumn time, however, grass will still grow at 5°c and above, so it will still need to be cut, although no lower than 1 inch (25mm). The important factor for cutting is to ensure that you have a sharp blade on the mower and do not cut the lawn too short.
And of course, wait until ground conditions are suitable.
Long grass makes the first cut hard work and leaves the lawn struggling to recover. This is why it’s important to keep your lawn trimmed to a sensible height.
INSTALL A WATER BUTT
Now would be a good time to install a water butt to catch all the autumn, winter rain we experience. Your lawn will truly benefit from this harvested rainwater when the hot weather returns.
You can read more about installing a water butt here: How to install a water butt – GreenThumb
HOW GREENTHUMB CAN HELP YOU
To ensure your lawn can reach its full potential, we recommend beneficial machine work – Aeration and Scarification. Over the year, your lawn naturally becomes compacted and thatch if formed.
Thatch is a natural accumulation of organic matter and dead grass. It naturally forms, however when it gets too thick it suffocates the roots of your lawn, slowing grass growth which weakens the lawn and encourages weeds, moss, and lawn diseases.
By prioritising Aeration and Scarification, you can unlock the full potential of your lawn’s health and growth.
Aeration creates tiny holes within the soil, enabling vital nutrients, light, and air to reach the root zone. Uncompacted soil encourages root growth and therefore a healthier lawn overall. In order to reduce thatch, fondly known as the perfect environment for moss to thrive, it’s essential to have your lawn scarified. Scarification not only removes surface thatch and reduces moss, but also allows the roots access to what they require to thrive.
GreenThumb’s Autumn/Winter Long treatment has been specially formulated to support your lawn over the winter period and helps to control moss. It continues to give the lawn a long-lasting green colour and helps to toughen the grass plant for the weather condition incoming.
Although this treatment will help to reduce moss that is present, it doesn’t stop it from returning. Moss thrives in damp conditions, so to reduce the moss in your lawn, you need to remove the moss-loving environment. This is why, we also recommend Aeration and Scarification.
For further information or guidance, contact your local GreenThumb branch here: Find your local GreenThumb branch