After a busy summer season of barbecues, school holidays and family gatherings, compounded by months of heat stress and drought, most UK lawns are in need of some green-fingered TLC.
Thinning grass, bare patches, and compacted soil are common problems for many lawns up and down the country right now, however early Autumn is one of the most important times of year for lawn recovery and restoration.
So now is the time to put on your wellies and gardening gloves and get into the garden before it gets too cold and wet to carry out some much-needed lawn care jobs.
Here, Johnsons Lawn Seed, the UK’s oldest and most trusted lawn seed brand, gives you the low down on the five essential gardening jobs to be done this month to ensure your lawn is restored back to health, ready to get through winter and looks its best in time for next Spring.
1. Decrease frequency of mowing
As temperatures fall, your lawn's growth will naturally slow down. However, regular light mowing remains crucial for maintaining its health and preparing it for the colder winter months ahead. Gradually raise your mower's cutting height to protect the grass from frost and cold weather. Ensure your mower blades are sharp to prevent tearing and dehydration.
2. Scarify the grass
Over time, a layer of thatch composed of dead grass, moss and weeds can build up on your lawn. This layer acts like compacted soil, preventing water and oxygen from reaching the grassroots as the thatch competes for nutrients. Scarifying is the process of removing this thatch layer to improve your lawn’s health.
One of the best times to scarify is early autumn, when grass is actively growing and can recover quickly. Soil temperatures should be still warm enough for regrowth, and the lawn should not be frozen, waterlogged or under drought stress.
Start by using a rake to remove any surface-level thatch. For deeper-rooted thatch, a scarifier is the ideal tool. Carefully work the scarifier or rake over your lawn, ensuring you don't go too deep and damage the turf.
3. Aerate the soil
Heavy summer use and heat stress results in compacted soil, which hinders water and oxygen from reaching your grassroots. As the soil becomes denser, it restricts the movement of air, water and nutrients to the grass roots, making it harder for your lawn to thrive.
Lawn aeration is the process of creating holes or channels in the soil to improve the movement of air, water and nutrients into the root zone. By opening up compacted soil, aeration allows grass roots to grow deeper, improving the overall health and strength of your lawn.
The best tool for lawn aeration depends on the size of your lawn and the level of compaction. A standard garden fork is ideal for smaller lawns or compacted patches and its inexpensive, readily available and can be surprisingly effective when used correctly.
For larger gardens, a powered aerator can save significant time while producing consistent results across the whole lawn. Many garden centres and hire shops offer these machines for short-term hire.
4. Overseed
After scarifying, your lawn might appear thin or patchy. This is where Johnsons Lawn Seed comes in. Overseeding or reseeding involves spreading new grass seed over your existing lawn to fill in bare spots and encourage denser growth.
n Autumn, soil temperatures and moisture levels are ideal for seed germination and recovery. But first, ensure you choose a high-quality grass seed mix suitable for your lawn’s needs.
Whether it's the presence of pets, frequent use by children, shaded areas caused by surrounding trees, or unsightly bald patches in need of repair, recognising these challenges is essential. Equally important is considering your lawn care preferences, whether you're dedicated to meticulous maintenance or prefer a low-maintenance approach.
Johnsons Lawn Seed offers a range of blends designed for different conditions and lifestyle needs, for example:
- Quick Lawn with Accelerator: A versatile mixture that establishes quickly and is tolerant to shade and drought.
- Shady Place: Ideal for areas with limited sunlight, offering good drought tolerance.
- Tuffgrass: Designed to withstand heavy foot traffic and formulated to be resistant to yellow patches caused by dog urine, making it a smart choice for pet owners.
- Luxury Lawn: A premium grass seed blend that offers a dense, fine-textured appearance, giving a lush, high-quality lawn.
- Ace Lawn: New for 2026, this is a next-generation drought tolerant lawn seed mix enhanced with Microclover® for a lush, self-sustaining, year-round green lawn with minimal effort.
For the best results, evenly distribute the seed across the lawn, focusing on thinner areas. Gently press the seed into the soil to ensure good contact. Maintain consistent moisture through regular, light watering until the new grass is established.
Overseeding in autumn allows the new grass to develop strong roots before winter, resulting in a vibrant, lush lawn come spring.
5. Feed
Like all plants, grass requires frequent feeding to be at its best. Grass especially is constantly growing, producing new leaves and roots while recovering from mowing, foot traffic and changing weather. To support this growth, it requires a steady supply of essential nutrients.
Without regular feeding lawns can become pale, thin and weak.
As temperatures cool, the lawn prepares for winter. Autumn fertilisers reduce nitrogen levels while increasing potassium.
This encourages:
- Stronger roots
- Better resistance against drought, heat and turf diseases
- Better winter survival
- Reduced risk of soft frost-damaged growth
