October 10, 2024, 10:46 am | Read time: 3 minutes
From a meteorological perspective, fall begins on September 1. At this time of year, the weather is still very changeable and unstable. In some areas, it is dry, with temperatures of 30 degrees, while in others, it rains incessantly. Dr. Harald Nonn from the German Lawn Society explains what care lawns need in September.
You can take care of your lawn all year round. However, there are times of the year when you should focus on certain areas. In September, for example, the lawn is cared for slightly differently than in midsummer.
Scarifying
You can scarify the lawn in September, explains Dr. Nonn from the German Lawn Society. Provided you haven’t already done this in spring. “There is still enough time in September for the gaps that inevitably occur after scarifying to grow back before winter,” explains the expert. At best, the lawn is as dense as possible before winter. Otherwise, there is a risk that during this time, when the grasses are less competitive, other plants will establish themselves, which will have to be laboriously removed again in the spring.
Sowing
September is a good month for reseeding – especially if you have scarified in advance, explains Dr. Nonn: “We have relatively warm soil, and if it rains naturally, it’s all the better. Then there are ideal germination conditions, and by the end of October, a really beautiful and dense lawn will emerge again.” There are special lawn mixtures that can be used for reseeding in September. By the way, a good overview of which mixtures are suitable can be found at the German Lawn Society.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing is not absolutely necessary, explains the expert. The important thing is to take a close look at the lawn and then decide. “If it’s nice and green, then I don’t need to do anything in terms of nutrient supply. But if it starts to starve now, I would fertilize it again so that it grows densely, stays dense, or becomes denser.”
However, the expert recommends using a special fertilizer at this time of year: “I would go towards potassium with the fertilizer, so use an autumn fertilizer in September to additionally strengthen the grass.” The expert advises against nitrogen-based fertilizers for the lawn in September. Using this fertilizer would support height growth. This is no longer relevant in the fall.
Mowing
The weather tends to be unstable in September. In some places there is a lot of sunshine, in others a lot of rain. The lawn, therefore, never grows the same everywhere. Dr. Nonn recommends observing the lawn and only mowing when growth is visible, and mowing is necessary.
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Avoid moisture on the lawn and prevent fungal diseases
In September, the days are usually still warm, but the nights are already cool. Dew, therefore, forms on the lawn. These conditions are ideal for the development of fungal diseases, explains Dr. Nonn. “If you see dew on the lawn in the morning, you should wipe it off or sweep it away. I do this with a broom. If there are two of you, you can simply lay down a water hose and drag it across the lawn.”