After the summer, the lawn finally looks as its owners hoped: lush, dense, and bright green. Therefore, in September, it is easy to think that the major work is already done. However, it is precisely now that decisions are made that can determine whether in spring we will find a green lawn in the yard or scorched and disease-affected patches, according to a press release.
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Valdemaras Mediekša, founder of “Solutions for Lawns,” who has many years of agronomic experience, says that September is not the end of the lawn season. As the weather cools, favorable conditions form for the plant to absorb nutrients, so the lawn is often the most beautiful throughout the entire season. At the same time, this is the last chance to properly prepare it for winter.
The weather this year was very contrasting for lawn growers. According to the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service, in April only 38% of the usual multi-year precipitation fell. The situation changed in summer: in July, precipitation was 61% more, and in August – 22% more than usual.
“We usually said that the irrigation system is most needed in July and August. This year it became relevant already in April, and in the second half of summer, in many places, it was hardly needed. This once again showed that we must care for the lawn according to real conditions, not just according to the usual work schedule,” says V. Mediekša.
Heavy summer rains and increased relative humidity created favorable conditions for fungal diseases. For the second year in a row, red thread disease spread in many lawns, and signs of so-called brown patch were also observed.
Disease – not just a problem, but also a signal
“A fungicide can slow down the disease but does not eliminate its cause. The disease often shows that the lawn is weakened. Then it is necessary to assess whether the soil is depleted or compacted, whether its acidity is appropriate, whether the lawn is regularly fertilized and mowed, and what conditions have formed in the root zone,” explains the agronomist.
V. Mediekša compares the lawn to the human body: a person who eats balanced, moves, and takes care of themselves is usually more resistant, while a weakened body is more easily attacked by diseases. The same applies to the lawn – the better its growing conditions, the more opportunities the plant itself has to withstand adverse environmental factors.
If diseases recur, additional measures alone will not solve the problem. The agronomist recommends reviewing the entire maintenance technology, conducting soil tests if necessary, assessing its acidity and compaction. Plant protection products must be used only according to the registration requirements valid in Lithuania and the product label.
A strong lawn starts with vital soil
Recurring lawn diseases and daily client questions prompted the search for solutions that would help strengthen not only the plant itself but also the soil.
“Fertilizers are an important part of lawn care, but they are not always enough. If the soil is depleted, non-humic, or its biological activity is reduced, these problems must be addressed first,” says V. Mediekša.
Therefore, the agronomist, together with the team, analyzes the experiences of lawn growers and landscapers, studies professional lawn care practices, and tests different solutions under real conditions. Currently, a new set of products aimed at improving soil condition and biological activity is being tested. If the trials confirm its benefits, the set is planned to be introduced in spring.
Four tasks before winter
1. Check soil compaction. A simple sign is that it is very difficult to press a spade or other tool into the soil. In such a case, before fertilizing, it is worth performing core aeration – it helps air and water more easily reach the lawn’s root zone.
2. If the lawn is mowed by a robot, assess the thatch. Frequent mowing leaves many small plant residues. When there is a lack of sun and warmth, they mineralize more slowly, so a thatch layer may form. Scarification may be necessary before autumn fertilization.
3. Scarify more gently than in spring. In autumn, days shorten, nights cool, and lawn regeneration slows down. The scarifier blades should be raised higher, the lawn only lightly raked, not torn, and no deep damage left.
4. Fertilize on time and mow as long as the lawn grows. The optimal time for autumn lawn fertilization is from mid-September to mid-October. However, according to the agronomist, when choosing a specific day, it is important to consider weather conditions, lawn growth rate, and its condition.
“The lawn should be mowed as long as it grows. There have been seasons when people mowing the lawn were seen even in December, but that is an exception,” says V. Mediekša.
It is recommended to leave the lawn about 3–4 cm high for winter. Fertilization should also not be delayed: late fertilization and an unexpected early winter can increase the risk of lawn scorching. Therefore, it is important to perform these tasks at the recommended time.
In autumn, it is important to choose fertilizers suitable for the lawn’s condition and the season. Currently, the goal is not to stimulate rapid grass growth but to help the lawn strengthen and prepare for winter. Therefore, the composition, rate, and timing of fertilizer use should be chosen considering the lawn’s condition, soil, and weather conditions.
Why it is not worth leaving the lawn too tall
One of the most common mistakes is mowing the lawn for the last time at the beginning of October and leaving it overgrown to 5–6 cm or more. Long grass pressed under the snow ventilates worse, stays damp longer, increasing the risk of scorching and spring mold.
“We do not know what the winter will be like – maybe there will be almost no snow, or it will last for several months. We cannot control the weather, but we can properly do our homework and reduce the risk,” emphasizes V. Mediekša.
Last winter, the long-lasting snow cover was a big challenge for lawns. According to the agronomist, observations from clients, maintenance specialists, and the lawn growers’ community show that in lawns lightly scarified before autumn fertilization, there were more green and fewer scorched patches in spring.
Before winter, it is most important to assess the specific lawn’s condition, perform core aeration or gentle scarification if necessary, choose fertilizers suitable for autumn, and mow as long as the lawn grows.
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