Lawn Care

1. Keep Mowing Your Lawn as Growth Slows

Carry on mowing for as long as the grass is actively growing, which in most of the UK means into October and often November. Cut less often as temperatures fall, and raise the blades for the last few cuts to roughly 4-5cm. Longer grass shades out moss and protects the plant over winter, while cutting too short leaves it weak and exposed. Never mow when the lawn is waterlogged or frosty, as you will tear the blades and compact the soil.

2. Remove Fallen Leaves and Garden Debris

A blanket of wet leaves blocks sunlight, traps moisture and encourages lawn diseases, leaving thin, patchy grass by spring. Clear leaves regularly with a rake, leaf blower or a mower with a collection box, and pick up fallen branches and other debris at the same time. Where possible, compost what you collect: a separate heap of leaves turns into excellent leaf mould.

3. Scarify Your Lawn to Remove Moss and Thatch

Scarifying removes thatch, the spongy layer of dead grass and roots that builds up at the surface, along with moss. Too much of either stops water, air and nutrients reaching the roots and gives moss a foothold. If you are wondering when to scarify a lawn, the answer is early autumn, ideally September, while the grass is still growing strongly enough to recover. A hand rake is fine for small lawns, while a powered scarifier saves time and effort on larger ones. Scarifying heavily too late in the season leaves the grass struggling through winter, so keep any late-autumn work light.

4. Aerate Your Lawn to Improve Drainage

Regular use, mowing and wet weather compact the soil, squeezing out air and slowing drainage. Autumn lawn aeration opens it back up so that air, water and nutrients can reach the roots. Spike aeration, using a garden fork or spiked roller, is quick and suits light compaction. Hollow-tine aeration removes small cores of soil and works better on heavy clay or well-used lawns. Aim to aerate in September or October, when the soil is moist but not saturated. It is especially valuable on lawns where puddles linger after rain.

5. Apply an Autumn Lawn Feed

An autumn lawn feed differs from spring and summer products. Instead of the high nitrogen that drives lush leafy growth, it is lower in nitrogen and higher in potassium, which supports root development and helps grass cope with cold, frost and disease. Choose a fertiliser labelled for autumn use, apply it evenly in September or early October while the grass is still growing, and water it in if no rain is forecast. Always follow the instructions on the pack: overfeeding can scorch the grass and does more harm than good.

6. Repair Bare Patches and Overseed Your Lawn

Early autumn offers the best conditions for sowing: the soil is still warm, moisture is plentiful and there is less competition from weeds. It is the ideal time to repair summer damage and thicken up a tired lawn.Choosing the right seed matters. Match the mix to how you use your lawn, and browse our range of grass seed for lawns and landscaping, which includes family, shade and drought-tolerant mixes. If your lawn takes a pounding from children, pets or football, a hardwearing grass seed will recover and stand up to wear better. For awkward sites, such as coastal gardens, or if you are sowing later in the season, our landscaping and road grass seed range includes a cool germination mix designed for colder conditions.To overseed an existing lawn:

• Mow, then scarify or rake the area to remove thatch and expose bare soil.
• Loosen the surface, level any dips and firm the soil lightly.
• Spread the seed evenly at the rate recommended on the packaging.
• Rake it in gently or top-dress with a thin layer of soil, then firm down.
• Keep the area moist until the new grass is established.

7. Control Moss and Weeds Before Winter

Damp autumn weather suits moss and weeds, but they are usually a symptom rather than the root cause. Shade, compaction and poor drainage are the usual culprits, so tackle those first by trimming overhanging branches, aerating and improving drainage. Rake out moss, then deal with persistent weeds such as daisies, dandelions and plantain using a lawn weed treatment suited to the time of year. Treatments work best on actively growing grass in milder weather, so apply them early in autumn, and read the label carefully, including any gap needed before you reseed.

8. Adjust Watering as Temperatures Drop

Lawns need far less water in autumn, and rainfall usually covers it. Check the soil before reaching for the hose: if the top few centimetres are damp, leave it alone. Newly seeded areas are the exception. In dry spells, water them lightly and often so the seedbed never dries out. Avoid overwatering, which leads to waterlogged soil, shallow roots and moss.

9. Protect Your Lawn from Autumn and Winter Damage

• Stay off frosty or waterlogged grass. Walking on it damages the blades and compacts wet soil.
• Reduce heavy foot traffic. Use stepping stones or temporary boards on routes you walk every day.
• Move furniture and objects. Anything left on the lawn blocks sunlight and leaves yellow patches.
• Sort out drainage early. Address problem areas before prolonged winter rain arrives.
• Keep clearing leaves. A tidy lawn stays healthier and drains better.