Autumn Lawn Care

Get on top of your grass this September with Johnsons Lawn Seed

As the long, hot summer stretches on there is only one thing spoiling those garden parties and al fresco cocktails – the sight of all the crispy fried grass that used to be the carpet of our green and pleasant land. The lack of rainfall in many parts of the UK over the past few months means that exhausted lawns are going to need some extra special TLC as we head into the autumn. Johnsons Lawn Seed comes to the rescue!

In order to establish well, grass seed requires the right amount of warmth, light, water, seed distribution and good contact with the soil. Generally speaking this means that any time between March and October will fit the bill but September is the golden month to do this important garden job.

As the days get shorter in autumn grass starts to enter its dormant period and migrating birds begin to head home, meaning there are less of them around to gobble your freshly scattered seeds. The still-warm earth and natural rainfall that tends to arrive in September will help to nourish and stimulate the newly sown seed, as well as reducing the time you’ll have to spend watering or trying to beat any hosepipe bans. By waiting until later in the year you will avoid the summer droughts which spell death for tender young seedlings that haven’t managed to reach deeper groundwater.

Another benefit of September is that any weeds which find their way into your newly sown lawn will have a chance to germinate and can be easily removed before their own roots have a chance to develop. In the meantime your grass can grow strong roots in later autumn and will be in the best possible shape to withstand early droughts come the following spring, or more serious summer droughts that might be on the cards.

Not that weeds are likely to be a major problem if you are using Johnsons Lawn Seed, whose entire range is produced to an exceptionally high standard of purity. Nevertheless, a few weeds are bound to appear because they are already lodged in the soil or have blown over from neighbouring lawns and fields.

Johnsons Lawn Seed has an extensive range of seed varieties which will cover the requirements of any lawn. Whether it’s in full sun and facing heavy use from pets and children, has large patches of shade or is required to be as lush and luxurious as green velvet, there is a Johnsons Lawn Seed variety that will help you achieve the kind of lawn you are aiming for. All you need to do is get ready to open that autumn window of opportunity when grass seed is best sown.

Tuffgrass with Dog Patch Resistance

Wave goodbye to scorched yellow patches on your lawn with Tuffgrass, which incorporates naturally dog urine-tolerant fine-leaved dwarf perennial ryegrass and is also highly resistant to drought, will stand up well to frost or snow and is generally hard wearing. This is a great choice for lawns that will have to withstand heavy-duty usage.

Quick Lawn with Accelerator-treated seed

If you really can’t wait to get your lawn up and ready, the fresh Quick Lawn formula offers rapid germination and fast establishment whilst only requiring a third of the amount of water that’s usually needed on a new lawn. This makes it the perfect choice for a dry autumn, helping to produce thick and healthy lawn, with a seed mix that delivers 38% more grass within the first seven days thanks to Johnsons’ innovative Accelerator seed coating.

Luxury Lawn Lawn Seed

Even if you have a pack of dogs and host children’s parties and mini festivals for half the year, you can still be forgiven for dreaming of a fine, dense, deluxe lawn that’ll be the envy of your neighbours. Make the dream come true by setting aside some space for Luxury Lawn, a traditional mix designed to be mown close while retaining a lush, high-class appearance. Highly resistant to drought, Luxury Lawn will also thrive in shady areas and has a dense sward that won’t give way to wees. Some serious lawn loving is sure to follow!

After Moss Lawn Seed

If drought-stricken summers are now a British norm – at least in the South East, wet winters are also becoming typical, meaning that conditions are ripe for the moss proliferation which can become a real problem in very shady areas and poorly drained, low nutrient soil. Over-mowing can also trigger moss invasions, but After Moss will help save the day. Coated in a calcium carbonate-based shell that gently raises the pH level of soil, this will help deter the return of moss whilst encouraging the development of a lush, green sward via Johnson Lawn Seeds’ unique Green Lawn technology.

Lawn Thickener Lawn Seed with SeedBooster

If your lawn is looking tired, patchy and generally very sorry for itself, turn things around with Lawn Thickener, which will stimulate the growth of 30% more grass thanks to the Green Lawn Technology which coats every single seed in a parcel of fast and slow-release fertiliser. Seeds will rapidaly germinate, establish well and those unsightly patches will be a thing of the past. The clever coating also harmlessly deters hungry birds from pecking up the newly sown seed.

Shady Place Lawn Seed

Those tricky shady places around high walls, fences and trees can soon become scruffy due to drier ground conditions and lack of sunlight. With excellent drought-resistance that will meet the challenge of keeping a lawn under shade, this is the ideal seed for those hard to reach places. It thrives in either damp or dry shade and will deliver lawns which have a fine appearance.

 [Pull-out box]

 Sow a new lawn from scratch in seven steps

 1) Ideally the soil should be moist, warm and soft, so choose your time wisely, waiting until there’s been some decent rainfall and when the weather is temperate.

2) Prepare the seed bed well by ridding it of perennial weeds, breaking up hard, lumpy areas and removing large stones.

3) Turn over the soil to let in some oxygen and dig in some well-rotted organic matter if the soil is especially poor or sandy. Tread the area over to firm soil down and leave to settle for a few weeks.

4) Remove any remaining weeds prior to sowing, ensuring you get all the roots out. Tread the area again then rake it level in several directions until it’s as flat and smooth as possible.

5) If you’re sowing a large area divide it into sections using string held in position with garden canes, then sow evenly using Johnsons Lawn Seed, at the rate stated on the box.

6) Lightly rake the seed into the soil and water gently with as fine a spray as possible, trying not to cause puddles that will swamp the seeds and cause them to clump.

7) Keep off the grass! Give seeds a chance to properly establish, watering regularly in the absence of rain.

Find out more

To find out more about Johnsons Lawn Seed products please visit http://www.johnsonslawnseed.com/product-range.aspx

Ends

Editors notes

Established in 1820 Johnsons Lawn Seed is the oldest lawn seed brand in the UK with a long and prestigious record of product innovation and grass breeding.