Gardeners urged to follow 12-inch lawn rule to 'rejuvenate' grass for autumn
Barbecues, parties, ball games, drought, hot weather and increased traffic are all factors that wreak havoc on your lawn and can cause your grass to look far from green by the end of the summer months. Grass that is no longer green is not necessarily dead, however, and with some TLC and extra attention, it is possible to treat your lawn to some much-needed rejuvenation this autumn.
Like most gardening activities, tending to your lawn takes patience, commitment, and know-how - but thanks to a gardening expert, your lawn could be green and thriving again. Sharing his September gardening hacks, star of Gardeners' World Monty Don offered green-thumbed novices some hacks on how to rejuvenate lawns that have had a long and busy summer.
With the summer finished, Monty shared that now is the perfect time to aerate your lawn which is when small holes are inserted into the ground using a rake or a fork. Aerating has many benefits for grass and other plants which include better absorption of nutrients and increased air circulation.
Monty explained in his helpful guide that the best way to do this is by using "a fork by working the tines into the ground at 12-inch intervals", or if you have a big lawn, you can "hire a rolling hollow tine or slitter." Monty shared that ideally, this would be followed by "working sand into the holes they create with a stiff brush." He then said that the grass should be given a "thorough scratch with a wire rake" so that all traces of "thatch and moss" are removed.
This may mean that for a while, your lawn looks "threadbare", but if you follow these steps, by next spring they will look "rejuvenated." Starting this process now will mean that your garden will be ready to be showcased again just in time for next year. And, if your grass is not able to be saved, now is the "ideal time" to "either sow or turf new grass" says Monty.
Make-up artist's eyeshadow trick to get 'Charlotte Tilbury' look for less moneyHe also outlined other tasks that can be undertaken during September, such as trimming hedges so you can get them in the perfect shape and height, ready for next year. If you make the most of the chillier weather, you will reap the benefits in the future.
Do you have any gardening tips? Let us know in the comments below.