A Complete Guide to Autumn Lawn Care

Maintaining a healthy lawn requires year-round care and attention. As the seasons change, so do the needs of your turf. Autumn lawn care is especially critical, as it helps your grass recover after a dry summer of wear and tear. That way, it will be more able to withstand the harsh weather conditions to come. Plus, it also sets the stage for a lush lawn in spring.

So if you want to get your garden in great shape before winter, read on. This comprehensive lawn maintenance guide includes all the tips you need. From raking leaves and aerating soil to fertilising and re-seeding, here’s how to create a lawn that will thrive in the coming months.

5 essential autumn lawn care tips from the experts

1. Reduce mowing and neaten up lawn edges

In October, you’ll usually find that your grass growth slows as temperatures decline and the amount of sunlight wanes. With that said, you may need to continue mowing for a few more weeks to keep your lawn neat. Once a fortnight should be often enough at this time of year.

Just make sure that your lawn is dry and that you’ve raised your mower blades so that you’re not cutting it as short as in summer. Leaving at least 2.5 - 4cm of height is ideal. Remember, your grass won’t recover as quickly during the autumn! You should also collect any grass cuttings to limit the risk of disease – why not compost them to aid next year’s planters?

In addition to mowing, autumn is a great time to tidy up any wayward lawn edges. A half-moon edging iron is the best tool to use if you want to achieve clean, precise borders. You can then simply trim any new growth with gardening shears as and when it starts to look unruly.

2. Scarify your lawn to remove thatch and moss

Frequent cutting and increased use during the summer months can lead to a buildup of dead grass known as thatch. By the autumn, it may also contain fallen leaves and moss. This bulky layer can cause multiple issues by reducing air circulation and preventing moisture from reaching the grass roots. It can also lead to fungal issues, so needs removing asap.

All you need to scarify a lawn is a long-handled, spring-tined rake. Start by raking in one direction, then go the other way until all the debris is piled up on the edge of the lawn. You can then either compost it or take it to the tip to be recycled alongside other garden waste.

Throughout the season, you’ll also want to stay on top of raking up leaves. While a few fallen leaves won’t cause harm to your lawn, a thick layer can lead to mould and stunt growth!

Tip: Don’t worry if your lawn looks a bit bare or patchy after you’ve finished the scarification process. The benefits you’ll gain are worth it and it will grow back healthier in the long run!

3. Aerate the soil to resolve compaction & improve drainage

Another key stage of autumn lawn care is aerating your lawn. This involves spiking the soil with either a garden fork or specialist roller tool to increase air and water flow to the roots. This is turn will aid grass growth throughout the season and beyond. By poking holes in the soil, you’ll also improve drainage and reduce the chance of waterlogging in heavy rain.

Doing this will alleviate hard, compacted soil too – common in spots that get lots of foot traffic like near sheds and beneath washing lines. Better still, most lawns only need aerating every couple of years. So if you do it this autumn, you shouldn’t need to repeat the process in 2024!

4. Apply a topdressing and an autumn fertiliser (if needed)

After aerating, topdressing a lawn is the next logical step. Our sand-based lawn dressing by Rolawn is perfect for this. Its ingredients will help to improve the health of your turf over time to boost growth and improve its appearance. Plus, by sweeping it into the holes you made, it will firm up and level the surface, while bettering the soil’s drainage and allowing air to circulate.

If your lawn is looking yellow or brown post-summer, it’s worth giving it an extra helping hand now. A low-nitrogen fertiliser is our go-to when it comes to autumn lawn care – ideally one that also contains weed suppressant. This will help to green up your existing grass, encourage new growth and provide the nutrients it needs during winter. Simply wait for a day when rain is expected, then apply the fertiliser as evenly as you can. You could see results in just 1 week!

Not sure which product to go for? Our sister company Oxford Garden Centre stocks a range of feeds and fertilisers. Just ask a member of their team to help you find the right one. Popular options include Westland Aftercut All in One and Evergreen Complete, so check those out!

5. Carry out any necessary repairs, overseeding and turfing

Once your lawn has been aerated and fed a dose of goodness, it’s time to make repairs. This may involve levelling out bumps or filling in dents – both easily fixed by peeling back the turf and treating the soil beneath. Sparse patches are also common after summer, especially if your kids or pets have played out a lot. But most can be fixed up by overseeding your lawn.

To reseed a lawn, start by lightly raking the affected area with a small garden fork to loosen the soil. Then sprinkle on some grass seed, cover it with a thin layer of topdressing to protect it from birds, then water it in. It may take a couple of months to see new growth, but the ground should still be warm enough for the seeds to germinate.

Alternatively, if it’s more than a few patches and your lawn needs replacing, we also supply high-quality Rolawn Medallion Turf. And if you don’t know where to start, we even have a dedicated guide to help you out! Explore top tips on how to lay the perfect turf on our blog.

Order your lawn maintenance products now

Ready to get started? You’ll find everything from turf and seed to topsoil and compost on our website and in branch. Or to browse a wider selection of fertilisers and garden tools, hop over to our sister site – Oxford Garden Centre. Either way, if you live within 25 miles of Oxford, Yarnton or Swindon, you can take advantage of our free delivery service.

On top of that, AWBS will be releasing new product offers every weekend from now until February. So be sure to check our social media pages and website for all the best deals!