Autumn Care Tips: Keeping Your Turf Vibrant and Healthy

Autumn is a crucial time for turf maintenance, as it prepares your lawn for the challenges of winter while ensuring it remains lush and vibrant come spring. In this blog, we'll explore some essential care tips for commercial grass during the autumn months.

Lawn Aeration

Before the harsh winter conditions arrive, consider aerating your commercial lawn in Autumn. Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow better airflow, water penetration, and nutrient absorption. This process helps reduce soil compaction and promotes healthier root growth. Autumn is an ideal time for aeration, as it allows your grass to recover before the frosty temperatures of winter.

Fertilise Smartly

Autumn is the time to nourish your commercial grass for the upcoming winter and ensure a strong start in spring. Choose a high-quality, slow-release fertiliser with a balanced NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) ratio appropriate for your grass type. The nitrogen content will stimulate leaf and shoot growth, while phosphorus supports root development. Apply the fertiliser according to the manufacturer's recommendations, and aim to complete this task around six weeks before the first expected frost.

Overseeding

Overseeding is an effective method to rejuvenate your commercial lawn during the autumn months. It involves spreading grass seed over existing turf to fill in thin or bare spots. Choose a grass seed variety that is well-suited to your climate and soil conditions. Overseeding in Autumn allows the new grass to establish strong roots before winter dormancy and leads to a thicker, more resilient lawn in the spring.

Leaf Removal

As leaves begin to fall, it's essential to keep your commercial lawn free of debris. Piles of leaves can smother the grass, block sunlight, and promote the growth of fungi and diseases. Regularly rake or use a leaf blower to clear the leaves from the lawn. You can also consider mulching leaves with a mulching lawnmower, which shreds the leaves into smaller pieces that decompose and provide nutrients to the soil.

Adjust Mowing Height

As the temperatures drop in Autumn, you should adjust your mowing height. Raise the mower blade to a slightly higher setting to leave your grass a bit taller. Longer grass provides better insulation and helps protect the roots during the cold winter months. Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade at a time to prevent stress on the turf.

Watering

While Autumn often brings more rainfall, it's essential to monitor the moisture level of your commercial lawn. If there are extended periods of dry weather, continue to water the grass as needed. Ensure that your lawn receives at least 1 inch of water per week, either through rainfall or irrigation.

Conclusion

Caring for your commercial grass in autumn is an investment in a lush and healthy landscape throughout the year. By following these essential tips for lawn care during the Autumn season, you can ensure that your turf remains vibrant, resilient, and ready to thrive when spring arrives. A well-maintained lawn not only enhances the aesthetics of your commercial property but also contributes to a positive first impression for clients, tenants, and visitors. So, take the time to care for your grass this autumn, and you'll reap the rewards in the seasons to come.

Find out more about Grass Cutting and Vegetation Management here.

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