David Domoney urges gardeners to clear leaves from their lawns
Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress, said: “It’s important to keep the lawn healthy throughout the winter so that it can be more resilient to the cold conditions.
“Keeping it in good shape will also mean that by next spring it will be in great condition.
“Ideally you’ll want to cut the lawn shorter than usual to prevent it from getting matted down which can make it more susceptible to diseases.
“You should also consider applying a final dose of fertiliser to your lawn before the winter kicks in so that it has all the nutrients it needs to survive the colder weather.
“Throughout the winter you’ll want to rake leaves and aerate the lawn to allow it to breathe.”
READ MORE: Paint colours to be ‘cautious’ of using in your home as they ‘signal danger’
1. Cut the lawn shorter than usual
When giving the lawn its final cut of the year, gardeners should cut the grass shorter than usual.
The gardening expert said that longer grass gets matted down with the winter conditions which makes it more susceptible to disease.
2. Rake leaves
Gardeners should occasionally rake away the leaves which have fallen onto their lawns to avoid the lawn turning yellow.
Leaves can prevent the grass from receiving sunlight and can also trap water and moisture, according to Chris.
Don’t miss…
Houseplant expert shares weekly job to make plants thrive[LATEST]
‘Simple but effective’ tip to keep your bedroom ‘warmer and cosier’ this winter[COMMENT]
Monty Don urges gardeners to prune climbing roses now – guide[EXPERT]
3. Aerate the lawn
The expert explained: “It’s generally advised that you don’t aerate your lawn during winter. However, if you notice the grass is suffering from compaction, then you’ll want to aerate these sections with a garden fork to allow the lawn to breathe again.”
4. Water the lawn
The lawn can be watered up until the ground begins to freeze over, which usually happens around mid-November, but this can vary. Watering the lawn when it is frosty can result in it freezing over too much.
5. Give the lawn its final dose of fertiliser
Autumn is the last time gardeners can fertilise the lawn for the year, so opt for a slow-releasing one.
The expert said this can help the lawn to develop strong roots and provide it with the essential nutrients it needs to survive the winter.
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
6. Limit foot traffic
The gardening expert continued: “Try to minimise how much you walk along your grass during the final part of the year especially when it’s frosty.
“Heavy foot traffic while the grass is frozen can damage the blades and compress the grass and soil.
“Before you pack away your lawn equipment for the winter it’s important to give it a clean. Drain any fuel from your lawnmower if needed, clean the blades and store in a dry place.”
Source: Read Full Article