Autumn lawncare using biochar

By October grass growth begins to slow down, which is generally welcomed after regular mowing since spring, this is also the time of year that grass can begin to look a little worse for wear, and the main problem is thatch, which is the build-up of debris and dead grass that sits above the surface of the soil and makes the lawn hard and gives it a pale appearance.

Scarifying will remove thatch and debris and there are two ways to remove it, the first is by raking it manually, which can be a little bit tough on arms and back. The second option is to use a powered scarifier which is a mechanical rake featuring sharp tines that rotate to scratch out the thatch quickly and effortlessly. Some scarifier models also come with an aeration option, aerating will help improve water and air in getting to the roots., for rake lawns simply fork sections of the lawn to aerate it with a fork.

If it is the first time you have raked or scarified the lawn you may be a little bit alarmed by its appearance once it is completed, no only will you have a huge amount of thatch to either put on the compost heap or in the green waste bin but the lawn may look a little thin and patchy in places, this is completely normal.

Once scarifying is completed, if your lawn needed it, you could add a lawn fertiliser, we have used SF60 Super Compost (a mix of activated biochar and humus) on our domestic lawn for a couple of years and have found it helps deepen the green colour, and it also seems to help prevent moss on our heavy clay lawn. It also helps with recovery of brown patches caused by pet poo/urine and overuse of weedkiller!

Finally, neatening up the edges of the lawn will make a huge difference at this time of the year, plus cut back any overhanging plants and shrubs otherwise the lawn will stop growing if the light isn’t getting to it.

To buy our SF60 Super Compost click here.