In his weekly Jamie’s Little Allotment column, Gayton-based gardener Jamie Marsh discusses lawncare…
Hopefully, your lawn is greening up a bit now that we’ve finally had some proper rain. Many lawns, including mine, have looked more like straw than grass this year after weeks of scorching sun and hardly a drop of water. Even Bramble wasn’t keen to lie out there when it was all crunchy under her paws! Don’t panic, though; grass is tougher than it looks, and September is the perfect month to give it some TLC and help it bounce back.
I’ve been out there this week giving mine a bit of attention, and it’s amazing how quickly some care can transform it. The first job is to mow the lawn and clear away the scruffy tops, so you can see what you’re working with. It’s one of those simple tasks that instantly makes the garden feel cared for again, even before you start on the heavier work.
Forking some small holes in the lawn
Once that’s done, think about aerating. This means making lots of little holes to let water, air and nutrients get down to the roots. If the ground is still like concrete, don’t wear yourself out trying to push a fork in just yet. Wait for a good soaking or give it a thorough watering the day before to make the job easier. A garden fork works fine for smaller lawns, but if you’ve got a big lawn, you can hire a hollow-tine aerator or even strap on those funny spike shoes and stomp across the grass. They might look daft, but they really do help!
Scarifying comes next, which is just a posh way of raking out all the moss and dead grass that’s built up over the year. You might not see much moss at the moment because moss loves damp conditions, and that’s something we’ve certainly been short of this summer. But even if it’s just dead, straw-like grass, a good rake will clear it and give your lawn a fresh start. If you’ve got a large patch, an electric scarifier is a real back saver.
Don’t be alarmed if your lawn looks worse after scarifying; that’s exactly what you want before moving on to seeding.
Raking up moss and dead grass
Overseeding is where the magic happens, but only if the conditions are right. If the soil is still dry and hard, hold off and wait until there’s some moisture in the ground. When you’re ready, pick a seed mix to suit your garden. Do you need a tough mix for children and dogs (Bramble certainly puts mine through its paces!), or do you want a finer, ornamental look? There are great seed calculators online to help choose which seed, and just as important, how much seed you will need. Sprinkle the seed evenly, rake it in gently, and water carefully with a fine spray.
Once the seed is down, keeping the soil moist is key.
If we get another dry spell, you’ll need to water regularly, but gently; you don’t want to wash all your hard work away. Birds may see your seed as a free meal, so fleece or netting can save you a lot of frustration.
There’s still plenty of time to get this job done while the soil is warm, so don’t rush if your lawn isn’t ready yet. Waiting for better conditions will give you much better results. After sowing, a light top dressing of compost or autumn lawn feed will help give your grass a boost before winter, and by spring you’ll have a healthier, thicker lawn to enjoy.
I know the allotment is where I spend most of my time, but I always feel better when the garden looks cared for, too. It’s easy to get caught up in the vegetables and forget the lawn, but there’s something about stepping out onto a green patch of grass that just makes the whole space feel welcoming.
So, if your lawn has had a rough summer, this is your window to give it some love. A bit of work now will pay off next year, and you’ll thank yourself when you’re sitting out with a cuppa next spring, looking over a healthy, green space that came back to life with just a bit of autumn care.
As always, if you’ve got any questions about your garden or mine, please email me on
Jamieslittleallotment@gmail.com
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