As the summer comes to an end and the temperatures change, one of the things that you should be focussing on is making sure that your lawn is ready to face the cooler weather. Whilst this may sound like a lot of work, all you need to do is follow a few tips that will save time and money later in the year. Here are some useful ideas to help you prepare your lawn for the winter.
Dethatching and aerating
The end of the summer is the perfect time of the year to dethatch and aerate. Over the summer months, roots, debris and dead grass tend to accumulate on the lawn, forming a thick layer that can prevent air and moisture from reaching the grass whilst also attracting pests and insects. If the thatch in your lawn is over ½ inch thick, get a rake and start removing excess material.
To aerate your lawn and facilitate the penetration of oxygen and nutrients into the soil, use a hand aerator and finish by adding a layer of compost over the area treated.
Keep an eye on the rain
On average, your lawn needs about 1 inch of water per week to stay healthy. Make a habit of monitoring how much rain is falling in your lawn during the autumn and if it’s not enough, top it up by watering as and when required. This will ensure that the roots grow further underground and that they are strong enough to absorb all the necessary moisture.
Control pH levels
If the soil in your garden is too acidic or too alkaline, this can put a lot of stress on your lawn. Ideally, your soil pH level should stay between 6.5 and 7. If the pH is too high, add sulphur to turn it more alkaline, and if the levels are too low, add ground limestone to make the soil less acidic.
Mowing issues
Keep the mower blades sharp and ensure that you mow according to grass growth and not to a rigid schedule. Remember that the lawn is a living organism and its needs vary from season to season.
At Kite Landscapes, we are experts in helping create beautiful gardens and healthy-looking lawns. We provide landscaping, decking, design and planting services to our clients in Wokingham, Windsor, and Ascot, so look no further and contact us today with all your lawn needs.