Love your lawn

In little over a week the clocks go back, signalling the end of what has been a reasonable summer with temperatures above average for the Harrogate area for the whole of September and the prediction for more of the same in October. Here at RHS Garden Harlow Carr we are still mowing the lawns on a weekly basis and will continue to do so for the rest of the month and into the middle of November if there are no signs of frost and the ground doesn’t become too wet. For the last couple of years, with milder ends to the year, it has not been uncommon to still be mowing into December on more freely-draining soils. However, with winter just around the corner and with grass still growing steadily, what should we be doing in preparation?

Raise your height of cut by 6-12mm (to around 40mm for low use lawns) so you are just tipping the grass blades. This will result in deeper rooting and the roots will take up nutrients when uptake by the leaf has slowed. Leaving the grass slightly longer over winter provides insulation for the growing point (crown) of the grass plant, protecting this from frost and minimising damage going into spring.

Rake up fallen leaves as thick layers will prevent light getting to the grass, causing yellowing and weakening to occur.

Overseed damaged or worn areas at a rate of 20-30g/square metre for a fescue/ryegrass blend. Aim to get good seed to soil contact by raking vigorously with a spring tine rake and then covering with a light dusting of topsoil.

Improve drainage/aeration. Use a fork to push into the lawn as far as you can at roughly 4” intervals across the lawn; brush a sandy topdressing into these holes. For larger areas mechanical aerators can be hired from garden centres; they create punch holes with solid tines or remove a core or a plug of soil which can be filled with sand to improve aeration and drainage.

Apply an autumn fertiliser which is low in nitrogen, contains phosphate and is high in potassium with added iron sulphate which will give you the correct balance for a healthy lawn to overwinter. Nitrogen, N, is used for green up and promotes deeper rooting. Increased photosynthesis from the green up results in increased sugars, making the grass plant more resistant to frost. Phosphate, P, is used to promote grass root growth. Potassium, K, strengthens cell walls to harden grass leaves against disease and cold. Iron sulphate, Fe, gives rapid green up and is used as a moss killer.

Scarifying – it is almost certainly too late to scarify your lawn now but if your lawn suffers badly with moss, applications of iron sulphate applied with a watering can at 6 weekly intervals throughout winter (except during periods of prolonged frost) will check moss and prevent it from worsening until it can be treated in the spring. Relieving compaction or cutting back overhanging branches to

allow more light and increase airflow will help reduce moss levels; remember a healthy lawn will always out-compete moss.

Avoid walking on your lawn when frosty. This can lead to browning of the grass as the frozen leaves are crushed or more seriously, root break can occur, causing areas to temporarily die out.

Edging your lawn now with a half-moon lawn edging iron will create a crisp, clean edge that makes maintenance throughout the winter months easier.

Following these few simple steps will provide your lawn with the best possible chance of coming out of winter strong and healthy and ready for the off in spring.

Jobs for the Week

• Take hardwood cuttings from deciduous shrubs
• Move tender plants into the greenhouse
• Clear up and compost fallen leaves
• Clean out water butts

With thanks to Kevin Fowler, Horticulturist at RHS Garden Harlow Carr

DIARY DATES

22 – 30 October: October Half Term – Animals of the Night Our October half term fun will focus on creatures that come out at night – from bats and badgers to hedgehogs and owls. See pygmy hedgehogs up close, enjoy a daily wildlife trail, book a place on the holiday club and make your own pumpkin seed hedgehog. Normal garden admission except holiday club places. Buy garden tickets online & save 10%.

29 October – 2 November: The Apple Display Feast your eyes on fantastic apple displays bursting with flavour and colour, enjoy a taster or two and get free advice on growing your own from The Northern Fruit Group. Members of the group will be on hand on 29 & 30 October to identify apples from your own garden. Normal garden admission. Buy garden tickets online & save 10%.