As we enter the cooler months, your lawncare tasks will start to slow down. Grass becomes dormant when the temperature drops, meaning there's no need to mow it. But ahead of the colder season, it's important to carry out some vital lawncare that can set you up for a healthy lawn in the spring. And according to experts, this weekend could be your last chance.
“These next few days are ideal," says Chris McIlroy of The Grass People. "The ground is moist but not soaked, and grass is still actively growing. Once the heavier rain sets in, you’ll be fighting mud instead of improving your lawn’s health.” Here's what you need to do this weekend to prepare your lawn for the winter.
Cheat sheet: What to do to your lawn
- Scarify and aerate your lawn: This will remove a buildup of thatch and moss, allowing your grass roots to breathe and creating better absorption of water.
- Over-seed your lawn: This will prepare it for winter dormancy, and lay down those roots that can boost drainage.
- Top-dress your grass: Use a mix of sand and loam. This will bring the surface level and improve seed-soil contact, speeding up germination.
- Do your last mow: Complete your final cuts of the season and mow hight to protect against frost and disease.
Why now is the time to act
According to The Lawn People, mid-October is the "sweet spot" for lawn maintenance. That's because the weather is still warm enough for seeds to germinate and roots to grow. "Lawns that drain well and have robust root systems are key to garden resilience," says McIlroy.
So, acting now is the key to preparing your lawn for cooler weather and heavy rainfall.
Here's what to do
McIlroy recommends a handful of tasks that will make a big difference to your lawn, if you act fast.
Firstly and most importantly, you should scarify and aerate your lawn. While McIlroy recommends a number of steps, this is the one you should prioritize this weekend if you're short on time but want to protect your grass.
This will remove a buildup of thatch and moss, allowing your grass roots to breathe and creating better absorption of water, which is essential as rainfall becomes heavier and more routine.
“A well-aerated lawn doesn’t just look better in spring,” McIlroy explains. “It also drains faster, reduces surface runoff and copes far better with the heavy rain events we’re seeing more of each year.”
What else can I do?
After aeration, you should take advantage of this lawncare window to over-seed your lawn. This will prepare it for winter dormancy, and lay down those roots that can boost drainage.
McIlroy then advises you top-dress your grass with a mix of sand and loam. This will bring the surface level and improve seed-soil contact, speeding up germination.
Once this is done, you can complete your final cuts of the season. McIlroy recommends mowing high "to protect against frost and disease."
Just because your grass is dormant over the winter months, this doesn't mean it's less susceptible to disease. As rain and even snowfall approaches, a more compacted lawn is much more vulnerable to fungal diseases.
In following this routine over the weekend, you could be setting yourself up for a healthier, happier lawn in the spring.
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