OmniLocal - Kingston Upon Thames • September 2013
Lawns Lawns Need Love After a summer of hard wear and periods of hot dry weather, your precious lawn deserves a helping hand so that it can recover this autumn. Here are a few tips on how to prepare your lawn for the winter and make sure it is thick and healthy for a really green start next spring.
GARDENING SECTION Supplied By Valerie McBride-Munro of Auntie Planty
Keep the surface clear Remove fallen leaves often – don’t wait for the tree to drop its full payload before attacking the job. If you cannot face the task using a brush or rake, then why not use your lawn mower to lift the dead leaves for you; but a word to the wise, don’t forget to attach the collection box first! Pack these chopped leaves into a bin bag, tie the top, poke a few holes for air and leave for about a year – you will have made some glorious leafmould! Help the water penetrate Take a garden fork or other spiked instrument and drive it as far as you can into the soil – rock the handle back and forwards gently which will help to make the holes larger. Your lawn may look rather unsightly for a day or two, but I promise this will pass! These holes will allow rain and air to penetrate more deeply, and at the same time relieve any compaction. Feed the Lawn This is the last month in the gardening calendar that you should do this. Feeding a lawn any later in the year will make it produce too much ‘soft’ growth, which will then be vulnerable during any snows and heavy frosts. Any good garden centre will be able to offer you a range of products to choose from, but do read and follow the label instructions carefully. Repair bare patches
layer of moist multi-purpose compost. Water regularly, with a fine spray.
Whatever the cause, re-seeding these bald patches during the autumn may be the best remedy. Rake the surface of the patch with a garden fork to fluff the soil, and water with a fine spray. Scatter grass seed evenly over the area and then walk gently over it to make a good connection with the soil. Then cover with a thin
Valerie McBride-Munro is a qualified horticulturist. As Auntie Planty, she helps to solve your plant and gardening problems. Her advice is only a phone call away (020 8892 9243)
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© 2013 Valerie McBride-Munro