When autumn knocks on the garden door, experienced hobby gardeners give their lawn another concentrated dose of care. Find out here how you can fertilize properly, lime skilfully and mow your lawn properly before winter.
What should you consider when caring for your lawn in autumn?
Lawn care in autumn includes fertilizing with potassium-rich autumn fertilizer, liming if the soil is acidic and mowing the lawn before winter. The lawn should first be scarified and mowed to a cutting height of 4-5 centimeters.
This is how fertilization strengthens winter hardiness
The balanced supply of nutrients is one of the mainstays of professional lawn care in autumn. Since other weather influences now affect the green space, a modified composition of nutrients comes into focus. A nitrogen growth spurt would result in soft, limp stalks. Instead, potassium now serves to strengthen the metabolism and promotes the resistance of the plant cells. How to fertilize properly in autumn:
- In October, apply a special autumn fertilizer with extra potassium, such as patent potash or potash magnesia
- Then water the lawn repeatedly until the granules are rained in
- Alternatively, fertilize organically with potassium-rich comfrey manure, without the risk of over-fertilization
- Do not fertilize at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius
The gardening trade has recognized the desire of environmentally conscious hobby gardeners for organic autumn fertilizer for the lawn and offers adequate products. In contrast to mineral preparations, organic fertilizer is not water-soluble. Rather, during the winter an army of soil organisms takes care of making the nutrients available to the lawn. In this way, organic autumn fertilization creates the best conditions for vital growth next spring.
Tip
Never apply mineral fertilizer to dried out lawns. In the worst case, the s alts cause burns on the leaves, which destroys any hope of a lush green carpet. If in doubt, lightly moisten the green area with a lawn sprinkler before fertilizing.
This is how liming protects the lawn from acidification in autumn
If a thick mat of moss has spread in the lawn over the course of the summer, this evil indicates that the soil is acidic. A simple pH value test from the garden center provides certainty. If the result falls below the ideal values of 6-7, targeted liming regulates the acidity of the soil. The following table presents common types of lime with their advantages and disadvantages:
| Lime varieties for autumn | Essential components | Advantages | Disadvantages | Dosage recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limestone powder | Calcium carbonate, minerals | ideal for liming in autumn | slightly water-soluble | 100-200 g/m² |
| Dolomite | Carbonated lime, magnesium | well suited for light soils | very brittle and hard | 120-150 g/m² |
| Thomasmehl | rich in phosphorus and manganese | for all acidic garden soils | contaminated with the heavy metal chromium | 60-80 g/m² |
| Vital lime | Carbonated lime, trace elements | excellent conservation liming | costly | maximum 300 g/m² |
| Algae limestone | Silicates, trace elements, magnesium | improves the overall soil structure | Overfertilization hinders photosynthesis | 300-800 g/m² |
| Rock flour | Lime, potassium, magnesium | ecologically very compatible | acts slowly via soil organisms | 100-120 g/m² |
The dosage recommendations are guidelines. The individual amount is determined by the actual pH value and the nature of the soil. On a light sandy soil, a much lower dose causes the desired increase in acid value than if you lime lawns on heavy clay soil.
Step-by-step instructions for correct liming
Since the decision to lime in autumn is always accompanied by increased moss, it is recommended to scarify the lawn beforehand. The scarifier's blades not only comb out the moss, but also all the mats and weeds. So that the grass area can regenerate in time before winter, a date in September should be considered. Follow these steps:
- Mow the lawn down to 3 cm
- Work the grass area lengthwise and crosswise with the scarifier
- Scrape the floor to a maximum depth of 2-3 mm
- Then use the spreader to lime the prepared lawn area
The subsequent watering is crucial for the successful completion of this autumn care measure. If it doesn't rain on the same day, the lawn sprinkler is used. Depending on the type of lime used, the leaves may otherwise burn undesirably.
When will the lawn be mowed for the last time before winter?
Every year there is uncertainty among hobby gardeners as to when they will mow the lawn for the last time before winter. Although an ideal time cannot be named, there are the following guidelines for choosing a suitable date:
- Mow the lawn at the usual rhythm, as the weather permits
- The blades of grass continue to grow as long as it doesn't freeze
- After the first night of frost, mowing the lawn for the last time before winter
- A cutting height of 4-5 centimeters is ideal in order to withstand snow pressure if necessary
Consistently collect the leaves from the lawn, as mold can form underneath them during the winter. In addition, the grass clippings should not be left lying around, as they serve as a breeding ground for fungi and other lawn diseases.
Tip
Did you know? An English textile engineer invented the first lawn mower. Until the beginning of the 19th century, sheep were responsible for keeping the grass areas around English noble houses at least somewhat short. In 1830, a fabric cutting machine inspired Edwin Beard Budding to develop the first reel mower. So the way was clear to the legendary 'English Lawn'.