How much TLC does your lawn need in autumn and how much mowing should you be doing? Don’t panic. The Hildreth’s team has all the answers…
Mowing your lawn during autumn in the UK can mean navigating soggy weather and requires a slightly different approach if you want to keep your grass healthy throughout the colder months, ready to thrive in spring.
Feed your lawn
It’s worth treating your grass to a final feed before winter sets in. Martin and his Hildreth’s Garden Centre team sell lots of EverGreen Autumn Lawn Care at this time of year. It not only helps to restore your lawn after the summer, it also preps it ready for winter by strengthening the roots. Autumn is a good time to remove weeds and treat moss growth too, which can both thrive in cooler, damper conditions.
Spread some grass seed to bolster your lawn at this time of year also – it will be your last chance before the colder weather arrives.
Don’t mow too much!
As temperatures drop and growth slows, you’ll want to reduce the frequency of mowing. Typically, you may start by mowing every two weeks and then extend to every three to four weeks by late autumn, depending on the weather and grass growth rate.
Raise your mower blade
Raise the mower blades to cut the grass to a height of about 5-7 cm (2-2.5 inches) and keep your mower blades sharp to create clean cuts. Longer grass can photosynthesize more effectively, which helps it stay healthy and strengthens the roots to withstand winter conditions. Taller grass also provides better insulation for the soil, reducing the risk of frost damage.
Try to mow on dry days!
A no brainer. Wet grass not only clogs your mower, it tears rather than cuts cleanly, and increase the risk of fungal diseases.
Start picking up leaves
Regularly remove fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris from the lawn before mowing. If you need a new rake or leaf blower, pop by and check out our selection. Leaves left to accumulate can block sunlight, trap moisture, and create a breeding ground for pests and diseases, such as mould and fungus. Yes, we know it’s not anyone’s favourite job!
Aerate!
Consider aerating the lawn using a garden fork or an aerator tool (ask the team if you need help to choose best tool) in early autumn to relieve soil compaction, improve drainage, and enhance the penetration of air, water, and nutrients to the grass roots. This helps the lawn recover more quickly after a long summer and prepares it for winter.
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