As the season turns, September offers the ideal window to strengthen your lawn. With soil still warm from summer and rainfall on the rise, overseeding now helps grass establish quickly - setting you up for a thicker, healthier lawn through winter and into spring.
September brings cooler evenings and changing leaves, but it's also prime time for lawn work. If you want your turf to be "strong and thick" heading into winter, focus on one key job this month: overseeding. According to gardening expert Richard Barker of LBS Horticulture, September's warm soil accelerates germination while increased rainfall keeps seed beds evenly moist - ideal conditions for new grass to take hold.
Before you seed, give the lawn a reset. Scarify to remove thatch and moss that block air, water, and nutrients from reaching the roots. Follow with aeration to relieve compaction and improve drainage. Once prepped, spread seed over thin or bare areas, then lightly rake to blend seed with the topsoil. Firm the surface by rolling or gently treading so the seed makes solid soil contact - critical for uniform sprouting.
Keep the surface consistently moist while seeds germinate - typically watering twice a day in warm, dry spells to prevent the seedbed from drying out. In most conditions you'll see new shoots within 10 - 14 days.
September is also a smart time for a general garden tidy. Clear fallen leaves and debris before damp weather sets in, as lingering moisture can encourage algae, mold, and pests. To restore soil after summer, add bark, mulch, or other soil improvers. The soil is still warm enough for active microbes to break down amendments and integrate them into the root zone, improving fertility and structure for the seasons ahead.
Focus on these steps now and your lawn will head into winter thicker, stronger, and ready to green up fast in spring.
This article summarizes reporting originally published by www.express.co.uk
