Autumn is the perfect time to give your lawn a boost. Summer wear and tear can be easily repaired and a few simple steps will prepare it for the coming winter.
Must-do jobs
Moss control
If your lawn has got patches of moss then tackle this first.
To get rid of the moss, use a mosskiller. Don't panic when the lawn appears to go black as this is the moss dying. Two weeks later you can scarify the lawn to remove it (see raking).
The best way to prevent the moss returning is to tackle the underlying cause. Moss is often a sign of poor growing conditions, such as bad drainage, excessive shade, compaction, low fertility and over-acidity.
To tackle poor drainage and compaction, aerate the lawn and apply a top dressing (see compaction).
To improve fertility, feed the lawn (see feeding).
To remove shade, prune back overhanging trees and shrubs.
To reduce acidity, apply lime - such as ground chalk or ground limestone - at no more than 50g per sq m (1.5oz per sq yd).