This summer many of us have been watching our lawns turn from lush green into a dry, brown desert brought on by the heatwaves and hosepipe bans we’ve seen.
Come autumn our lawns are desperately in need of a little TLC to repair brown patches, lighten compacted earth and tackle the weeds that have thrived despite the heat!
The good news is September is the perfect month for getting out in the garden to take on this task. In fact, many of us have already seen how resilient lawns can be – with recent rainfall it’s evident the grass is eager to start growing again.
So armed with our tips to save your lawn, get outside in the autumn sunshine so you can rest easy over winter knowing that come spring it will bounce back to its former glory.
Lawn renovation: A step by step guide
To rescue a lawn it’s important to focus on an autumn renovation plan that revitalises the soil and repairs damaged areas. Key tasks include watering, aerating compacted soil, removing thatch, overseeding bare patches and applying a specialised autumn fertiliser.
Step 1: Assess and prepare your lawn
Now that temperatures have cooled and rainfall has returned it’s the ideal time to begin lawn renovations. Trying to attempt this task too early while still in drought conditions can cause a lawn further stress.
1. Diagnose the damage
The most important distinction is determining if your lawn is dormant or dead. A dormant lawn, which appears brown or yellow, will still have roots and can recover with proper care. Completely dead patches will be brown and brittle and will need to be reseeded.
You can assess this with two simple tests:
- Pull test: Find a brown patch and pull on the grass. If the roots are still firmly in the soil, it is dormant. If it pulls out easily, it is dead.
- Water test: If unsure, water a small section daily for a week. If new growth appears, the grass was dormant. If it stays brown and wilted, the grass is dead.
2. Clear debris
Rake away fallen leaves, remove garden toys and furniture and any other items on the lawn to expose the grass and soil. This helps light, air and water reach the ground.
3. Control weeds and moss
Weeds and moss can thrive in weakened, patchy lawns. Remove larger weeds by hand. For extensive moss or weeds, you may need a specific treatment. But wait until the following spring before applying, when the grass and weeds are growing vigorously.
Step 2: Aerate and scarify
Once you’ve cleared and assessed your lawn the next task is to improve the soil’s structure and its ability to absorb water and nutrients.
1. Aerate to relieve compaction
Increased footfall and lack of water over summer can compact the soil, preventing water, air and nutrients from reaching the grass roots. It can also lead to poor drainage, causing water to pool on the surface instead of seeping in. This impedes the grass’s ability to absorb essential nutrients, leading to further weakening.
- To aerate smaller lawns use a garden fork to drive holes about 3–4 inches deep into the turf every few feet. If you’re struggling to get a fork into the soil, it’s probably still too dry to try. Wait until there’s been a bit more rainfall.
- For larger lawns, consider renting a mechanical or hollow-tine aerator. This will make the job much easier and a lot quicker.
2. Scarify to remove thatch
Thatch is a layer of dead grass and other organic matter that can suffocate the grass and prevent new growth.
- For light thatch, rake the lawn vigorously with a spring-tined rake to remove dead thatch and moss.
- For heavy buildup or large lawns, consider using a mechanical scarifier to clear the lawn thoroughly.
Step 3: Repair bare patches and overseed
This step is crucial for thickening your lawn and filling in any areas that didn’t survive the summer.
1. Add top dressing
After aerating and scarifying, spread a thin layer of top dressing (a mix of sand, soil and compost) over the lawn. This improves soil texture and quality, protects new seeds and helps level small dips.
2. Overseed
If your lawn has thin or bare spots, sow new grass seed. Use a seed mix suited for your conditions (e.g., drought-tolerant or shade-tolerant).
- Distribute the seeds evenly using a spreader or by hand.
- Gently rake the seeds into the top dressing and lightly tamp down to ensure good soil contact.
- Cover with a thin layer of topsoil to help with moisture retention and germination.
Step 4: Water and fertilize
Now your lawn is primed to absorb nutrients and recover over the cooler, moister conditions of autumn. Even so, there are a couple of things to do to help ensure success.
1. Water consistently
Keep newly seeded areas and the rest of your lawn moist for the first few weeks to encourage germination. Water deeply and consistently, especially if rainfall is scarce. Consider using a wetting agent if water is running off the surface. Try wherever possible to use grey water and or stored rainwater.
2. Apply autumn fertiliser
Use a specialised autumn lawn feed that is high in potassium and phosphates. This promotes strong root growth and hardens the grass, preparing it for winter.
Step 5: Ongoing maintenance
Now you’ve completed the core renovation, a few simple ongoing actions will help your lawn thrive once it’s growing healthily.
1. Raise your mower height
When you begin mowing again, raise the blade higher than you would in summer. Taller grass encourages deeper roots and better drought resilience.
2. Mow less in summer
Because taller grass is better at withstanding drought conditions, hold off mowing during drought conditions. Start again only when rain returns or you can see signs of vigorous growth.
3. Go easy on traffic
Avoid heavy use on the recovering lawn to prevent re-compacting the soil. A well aerated lawn leads to better penetration of essential water, air and nutrients to the grass roots. Resulting in stronger, healthier and greener growth, improved drainage, increased tolerance to drought and disease and more effective fertilisation and overseeding.
4. Be patient
Reviving a damaged lawn takes time. But with a solid autumn renovation plan, and a little patience, you can expect to see significant improvement by the following spring.
Expert lawn care
We hope our tips have given you the confidence to take on the task of renovating a summer lawn yourself.
But if you’re the owner of a large garden or a commercial property with grounds, this might be something you need a helping hand with. Our trusted landscapers and grounds maintenance team are here to assist with creating a lawned area, or providing ongoing grounds care.
We work with clients across the Thames Valley, including Maidenhead, Cookham, Windsor, Marlow, Henley-on-Thames, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross.
Call us on 01628 629720
Send us your enquiry.