Lawn expert shares a £1 coin hack to keep your grass looking thick and lush
A lovely lawn that will get the neighbors talking can easily be achieved with a £1 trick, according to a gardening expert.
Timothy Green revealed that this fall’s efforts will result in a thick and thriving lawn when spring arrives.
The expert of iCANLAWN.com talked about bare spots from the summer, which were the main focus of gardeners in October.
He revealed that these spots can be transformed in the spring through overseeding.
“The name says it all about overseeding, and it’s a simple process, but there are a few checks you need to do beforehand,” he said.
One of these is to ensure that the weather is consistently above 10 degrees for about two weeks.
He warned that grass seeds will struggle to germinate if temperatures have been too hot or too cold, making October the perfect time to get stuck in.
Moss, dead grass or weeds should also be removed before using seeds.
“Then you have to mow the lawn because you can’t do that while the new grass is growing,” he said.
“And if you have areas that are uneven or have low-quality soil, use some topsoil to even it out.
“Then it is time to ‘oversee’ the worn areas. Aim for a quantity of 35 g of seeds per square meter.”
Green said a rake can be helpful in ensuring there is enough room for the grass to grow.
He then uses a £1 coin trick, which is essential in helping gardeners check whether they are properly supervised.
“Stacked three-pound coins are the right depth for your seeds to access water, warmth and sunlight,” he said.
Within seven to ten days, the results of overseeding will be visible, with the soil plugs beginning to break down.
The grass will appear “fuller and healthier” as the seeds continue to germinate.
Experts recommend waiting until the new grass is about two inches before mowing for the first time.
Best results are achieved by setting the lawn mowers to the highest setting and watering the seedlings daily for about six weeks.
Other lawn jobs you can do in October
Craig Wilson, gardening expert and founder of Gardeners dream said: “October is an important month for lawn care as the weather changes to cooler temperatures and heavier rain.
“Aerating your lawn is one of the most important tasks this month.
“Using a garden fork or an aerator will help the soil breathe and improve drainage, reducing the risk of waterlogging.
“Wet weather can also promote moss growth, so applying a good moss killer early this month can help control the moss before it spreads.”
He told Fabulous exclusively: “Cleaning up leaves is another essential job for this month.
“If leaves are left on your lawn, they can block sunlight and retain moisture, which can lead to mold or dead spots in the grass.
“Make a habit of raking them regularly, especially after heavy winds!”
Another job you will need to do is adjust the height of your mower blade.
Craig suggests raising it higher to “avoid cutting the grass too short.”
He added: “Leaving the blades on a little longer will help protect the lawn when the weather gets colder.
“Grass that is too short is much more vulnerable to stress due to both cold and wet conditions.
“Finally, an easy way to prevent your lawn from staying wet for too long is to use a leaf blower in damp areas to speed up the drying process.
“While this is not always essential, it can benefit areas of your lawn that are waterlogged and take longer to dry out than other areas of the garden.”
Seasonal lawn maintenance schedule
Lawn care varies from season to season, with some tasks helping to promote growth and root development, while others help maintain soil quality.
Claire Baglin, landscape architecture category manager of Tool station has shared lawn care tasks and tips for every season:
Spring (March, April, May)
- Begin mowing the lawn biweekly in March, when soil and air temperatures typically rise above 6 degrees Celsius.
- Fertilize the lawn for the first time in March with a fast-acting fertilizer rich in nitrogen to promote shoot growth.
- Scarify the lawn for the first time in April to remove any accumulated moss or thatch that may accumulate over the winter.
- Aerate the lawn in April by poking holes in the soil surface. This will help loosen the soil and promote growth.
- Overseeding can also be carried out in April to patch up thin or bare lawns.
Summer (June, July, August)
- Start mowing your grass once a week from June onwards, except during periods of extreme heat and drought. Increase the cutting height to protect the lawn from possible droughts.
- Make sure you treat the lawn against weeds in June. This can be manual for removing individual weeds, or using a weed killer for larger bunches.
- In July and August, make sure to water the lawn at least once a week by soaking it for 5-10 minutes.
Autumn (September, October, November)
- From September onwards, reduce the mowing frequency to once every two weeks and carry out the last mowing of the year in November.
- Fertilize the lawn for a second time in October with a slow-release fertilizer rich in phosphorus and potassium to strengthen the lawn.
- Remove fallen leaves and other debris from the lawn surface in October and November.
Winter (December, January, February)
- Leave the lawn alone from December to the end of February. Grass generally does not grow in colder winter temperatures.
- Winter is the perfect time of year to perform lawn mower maintenance, including checking the blades and filters.