Preparing Your Lawn for Autumn

Assess Your Lawn Before Autumn

By late summer, lawns may show signs of dry weather, regular use, compaction or uneven growth. Before applying feed, seed or other treatments, assess the lawn’s condition and consider the recent weather.

The suitable work will depend on soil moisture, grass growth and the problems actually present. The following steps can help you decide what may be useful before autumn.

1. Adjust the Mowing Height

Continue mowing while the grass is actively growing, adjusting the cutting height to suit the conditions. Avoid removing too much growth in one cut or scalping areas that are already dry, thin or stressed.

As growth slows, mowing will usually become less frequent. Keep the mower blade sharp and avoid mowing when the ground is waterlogged or when conditions could damage the lawn.

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2. Consider Whether the Lawn Needs Feeding

Do not apply lawn feed automatically because the season has changed. First consider the grass colour, growth, soil conditions and any previous feeding.

If feeding is appropriate, use a product intended for autumn lawn care rather than a high-nitrogen spring or summer feed. Follow the manufacturer’s application rate and safety instructions, and avoid applying it to very dry, frozen or waterlogged ground or immediately before heavy rain.

The RHS autumn lawn-care guide provides further seasonal guidance.

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3. Repair Suitable Bare or Thin Areas

Late summer or early autumn can provide suitable conditions for overseeding when the soil is still warm and moisture is available. It is not automatically the right time if the ground is extremely dry, waterlogged or about to experience unsuitable weather.

Before sowing:

• Remove loose dead material and lightly prepare the soil surface
• Use a grass-seed mixture suitable for the lawn’s use and conditions
• Follow the supplier’s recommended sowing rate
• Ensure the seed has good contact with the soil
• Keep the area consistently moist while germination and establishment take place
• Limit foot traffic until the new grass is established

If reliable watering cannot be maintained during a dry period, postpone the work until conditions improve.

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4. Scarify Only Where Needed

Scarifying removes accumulations of thatch and surface material, but it should not be carried out automatically on every lawn. First check whether there is enough thatch or moss to justify the disruption.

A small area may be tackled carefully with a suitable lawn rake, while larger lawns may require scarifying equipment. Avoid aggressive scarifying when the grass is already stressed or when conditions will prevent it from recovering. Collect the loosened material and allow time for any follow-up overseeding or recovery work.

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5. Check Compaction and Drainage

Look for standing water, compacted routes, thin grass and areas damaged by repeated foot traffic. Working on wet soil can make compaction worse, so avoid heavy use or machinery when the ground is saturated.

Aerating a suitable compacted lawn may improve movement of air and water through the upper soil. For a small area, this may be done carefully with a garden fork or suitable aerating tool when the ground is moist but not waterlogged.

Aeration will not correct every drainage problem. Persistent standing water may be caused by soil structure, levels, damaged drainage or other site conditions that require separate investigation.

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Consider the Lawn’s Local Conditions

East Anglia is one of the drier parts of the UK, but soil type and drainage vary considerably between local gardens. Do not assume that every Norwich or South Norfolk lawn is growing on heavy clay.

Check the soil’s texture, moisture and drainage before adding compost, conditioner or topdressing material. Where topdressing is appropriate, use a compatible material and apply it thinly and evenly so that the existing grass is not buried.

Persistent bare areas may be caused by shade, compaction, wear, poor drainage or unsuitable grass rather than a simple lack of feed. Identify the likely cause before repeatedly applying products.

For areas requiring more substantial preparation or replacement, see my Turfing & Lawn Laying service.

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Further Reading

• Late Summer Garden Tidy-Up Ideas
• September Garden Jobs: Preparing for Autumn
• Planting Bulbs in September