Eight ways to revive your lawn before autumn

Homeowners whose gardens are still suffering the effects of the scorching summer can take action now to bring back the green before the colder seasons set in.

Here are eight simple and effective methods developed by garden buffs, for promoting lawn health for the final days of summer.

Aeration

When grass gets too thick, nutrients and water can’t penetrate to the roots where they are needed. Combat this by poking holes in the lawn to improve air circulation and allow water and nutrients to move to the root zone.

Fertilise

You should feed your lawn regularly during the growing seasons with a slow release granular fertiliser.

Mower blades

Keep the blades on your mower sharp as dull blade will tear the grass instead of cutting it cleanly, allowing water to leave the grass blades more quickly.

Mowing height

You should only cut the top third of the grass off each time you mow. Taller grass creates more shade, holding more moisture in the soil, and it also encourages a deeper root system.

Recycle grass

Instead of bagging up your grass clippings, allow them to stay on your lawn as this helps to recycle nutrients, fertilising your lawn and reducing watering requirements. You could also ‘brew’ grass clipping tea in a big barrel filled with water. Let it sit for around a week and then use it to water your lawn with the nitrogen rich ‘tea’.

Test

Test the acidic levels in your soil to see how it could be affective plant growth. You can run a simple test on your soil by placing a sample into a container and then add half a cup of vinegar. If the vinegar begins to fizzle and bubble, the soil is too alkaline, so you should add sulphur or peat moss to even out the soil’s acidity.

Water

Don’t forget to water your lawn! Just like plants and flowers, most lawns will need 1-1.5” of water a week, either from rainfall or sprinklers. It’s best to give your lawn more water, less frequently, the encourage roots to grow deeper and stronger.

Vinegar

Instead of spending lots of money on toxic chemicals to tackle weeds in your garden, pour apple cider vinegar directly on the weeds. The acetic acid will stop weed growth without damaging the soil and deter small pests like ants.

A gardening spokesperson for BillyOh.com said: “There are many things that can take the green out of your grass, leaving unsightly brown patches dotted around – and scorching hot weather is one of the biggest culprits.

“It’s best to deal with this issue as soon as possible, particularly before the colder weather sets in as this will only worsen the condition of your lawn and make it even harder to tackle next spring.

“These tips are easy to implement and super cost-effective, so there’s really no reason why we can’t all enjoy the last of the nice weather this year in green and healthy gardens.”