Keen gardeners may be looking to get ahead before the colder winter months arrive, and experts say October is a good time to start looking after your lawn and deterring weeds
Despite it being October, experts say it’s the perfect time to start prepping your garden for winter – and get ahead for spring next year.
Weeds start to grow in late summer, and then start to germinate in autumn and winter, causing havoc when spring then approaches the following year.
This is why it’s a great time to start to get them under control now, as regular lawn care will help to keep grass growing strongly and deter any unwanted plants. Gardening expert and Head of Estates and Landscapes at Painshill Park Trust, Simon Akeroyd has shared some of best tips this autumn with Yell.
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He said firstly, poor drainage will cause excess weeds to grow, and when there is too much water, weeds will compete with grass for resource, and then spread quickly.
“Prolonged waterlogging will kill finer grass species and allow the weeds to take over. In the autumn and winter months, increased levels of rain will cause your lawn to become even more waterlogged and weeds will thrive,” he explained.
Simon also noted how compacted soil will also cause weeds to grow as grass needs a fibrous root system to grow, but weeds have a central root system; this means that even in compacted soil, weeds will grow easily and overtake grass species in your garden.
“Signs that you have compacted soil are bare or thin spots in your lawn – left to their own devices, these spots can become a prime spot for weed growth.”
So to help your garden thrive in colder weather conditions, the expert advised people to use non-chemical weed control. “While it may seem like an easy solution to buy weed killer off the shelf, these harsh chemicals can impact the quality of your soil and negatively impact plants and wildlife in your garden.”
It is also important to maintain regular lawn care, such as soil aeration. Aeration involves ensuring roots get enough oxygen, which helps them thrive, as is one of the best ways to ensure a pristine lawn. This can be achieved by maintaining well-draining soil, avoiding waterlogging, or improving soil structure with organic matter for better airflow.
Lawn aeration specifically refers to creating small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the grass roots. Simon added: “Aeration helps to relieve compaction, increases drainage, which will reduce moss problems and increases airflow in the soil, which promotes healthier roots system and therefore a better and denser sward of lawn on the surface.
“You can then brush top dressing into the holes left by the fork to improve the quality of the soil in the rootzone of the lawn.” By aerating and scarifying your lawn, you encourage stronger grass growth, making it harder for weeds to take hold.
The expert also told people to avoid mowing their lawn very short, as it can weaken the grass, making it more susceptible to weeds. For the healthiest and most sustainable lawn, he suggested a mowing height of 3.5 to 4 inches which is “ideal”. Another top time is to re-turf and re-seed any bare patches to prevent weeds growing instead.
“While the soil is still warm from summer, it is a good idea to sow grass seed into any bare patches now, as there is still time for it to germinate before winter.” You can also look after your soil with the help of some limes to manage the PH levels. Simon explained how applying lime will help to balance the PH of the soil and make it a less hospitable place for weeds to take hold, as weeds prefer acidic soil.
“Apply in the winter months, scattering evenly, at around 50 grams per square metre. Lime can help grass outcompete weeds by making the soil more conducive to grass growth.”
