‘How to’? Revive Your Lawn After the Summer Heatwave

After a hot, dry summer, your lawn might be looking a little worse for wear. Brown patches, bare areas, moss and compacted soil can all take their toll – but autumn is the perfect time to give your lawn some TLC.

Not every lawn will need all of these jobs, but tackling the right ones in the right order can help your grass recover and prepare it for winter.

Here’s how to get your lawn back on track.

Moss Control

Moss is one of the most common problems when it comes to lawn maintenance. A summer of dry weather followed by wetter conditions can leave your lawn vulnerable to moss, particularly where drainage is poor or the soil has become compacted.

Specific lawn moss killers are available to help tackle the problem. Apply these several weeks before scarifying to allow the moss to turn black and die.

Scarification

Once the moss has been treated, it's time to clear away the dead moss, thatch and other debris that has built up across the surface of your lawn.

Use a spring-tined rake to vigorously rake the lawn in all directions. It might look a little drastic at first, but removing this build-up allows air and water to reach the grass more easily, creating better growing conditions.

Aeration

Soil can become hard and compacted, particularly in areas that have had lots of foot traffic. Compacted soil can lead to poor drainage and encourage moss to grow.

Aerating your lawn helps to improve drainage and allows air and water to reach the roots.

For an average-sized lawn, a garden fork works perfectly well. Simply drive the fork into the ground at regular intervals of around 6 inches.

Top-dressing

Once your lawn has been scarified and aerated, you can apply a top-dressing mix evenly across the grass.

Work it into the holes created during aeration using a stiff broom. A typical top-dressing mix contains sandy soil and organic matter, helping to improve the soil and encourage stronger rooting.

Repairing Bare Patches

If the summer has left you with worn, damaged or completely bare areas, autumn is a great time to repair them.

Lightly fork over the affected area before sowing an appropriate lawn seed mixture. Keep the area watered while the new grass establishes.

For bumps and channels, slice through the grass and carefully roll it back. Fork over the soil, adding or removing soil as required, before folding the grass back into place and watering thoroughly.

Feeding

After treatment, your lawn will benefit from an extra boost before winter.

Choose a specific autumn lawn fertiliser rather than a spring fertiliser. Autumn feeds contain nutrients to support strong roots and help your lawn prepare for the colder months ahead.

Tip - avoid using spring fertiliser in autumn, as its higher nitrogen content encourages soft leaf growth, which can be more vulnerable to disease and winter damage.

Autumn & Winter Aftercare

Once you've given your lawn some much-needed attention, a little regular aftercare will help keep it looking its best.

Keep the lawn clear of fallen leaves by raking regularly, as a thick layer of leaves can prevent light and air from reaching the grass.

And try to avoid walking on the lawn when it's frosty, as this can cause additional damage to the grass.

With a little autumn TLC, your lawn will have the best chance of recovering from the summer and coming back stronger next spring.