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Lawn care during the winter

harry.huntharry.hunt Posts: 24
in Problem solving
Hi all,

thank you for all your advice and tips so far! 

I’d like to put in a decent level of care over the next few months so that when spring comes next year the grass is looking all luscious, thick and green again. 

You will notice there’s some burnt patches from the dogs pee (sigh), so I plan to seed and top soil these areas. I also now hose down his wee's straight after so this issue does not continue.

I have the evergreen 4 in 1 but it says to use up until September. Not sure if this is due to November usually being a lot colder than it is now as it can’t be used on frosty soil? Do you think in these mild conditions I could still use it now or should I wait for early next year?

any other tips, aside from aeration, that I can be doing over the next few months?

Also I mowed the grass yesterday and unfortunately lost my battle with light, hence some trimmings left on the edges! 

thanks!


Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    There's no point in using feed and weed products when the grass and weeds aren't growing actively, and in any case in the autumn you don't want to put high nitrogen feed on grass. Leave it until about March/April depending on your local climate (earlier if you are somewhere mild, later if you're somewhere cold. If you like, you can use an autumn lawn feed in around August to October again depending on local climate and length of growing season.
    The best thing you can do for your lawn over the winter is stay off it as much as you can. You can give it a light trim with the blades set high if it's dry and mild, and it's growing. Wear and tear when it's not growing and replenishing itself can lead to a compacted or muddy mess depending on soil type. Mine (on well-drained sand) gets compacted on the route to the compost bins and under the washing line where I walk on it in the winter. I spike those areas with a garden fork in the spring (and at other times of year if it looks as if it needs it).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • rossdriscoll13rossdriscoll13 Posts: 234
    It’s a bit late to use the 4 in 1 feed now.  You need to be using an Autumn slow release nitrogen and high potassium feed.  You could also use liquid seaweed which will green up the grass and strengthen the roots ready for winter.  
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes  - I'd agree, too late for any feeds.
    The one thing I'd ask is - are your mower blades sharp @harry.hunt? The grass looks a bit chewed, and the site looks pretty wet, but it may just be the photo. Sharp blades will ensure a cleaner cut, which is particularly helpful if you're mowing at this time of year.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    The main thing is to think of your lawn's fist cut in the spring.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited November 2022
    For fist, read first.  

    Keep mowing when you can.  The grass should be short enough so that it can dry out before your first full cut in the spring.

    It is never too late to kill moss.  Which I do separately to any feeding.

    It is never the wrong time to use a slow release lawn fertiliser.  The temperature determines whether the grass wants it or not.  I use Scotts.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I echo what Jenny J has said. 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • harry.huntharry.hunt Posts: 24
    Fairygirl said:
    Yes  - I'd agree, too late for any feeds.
    The one thing I'd ask is - are your mower blades sharp @harry.hunt? The grass looks a bit chewed, and the site looks pretty wet, but it may just be the photo. Sharp blades will ensure a cleaner cut, which is particularly helpful if you're mowing at this time of year.  :)
    Thanks! The blades could probably do with sharpening/renewing however when I cut it at the weekend I did go extra short on that first half which is probably why it looks so iffy compared to the back part. I intended to use a patch repairer which says to cut as short as you can over the area but I've since found out it's too late to use that anyway!

    @bédé
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