October Lawn Care Tips: Prepare Your Lawn for Winter

As autumn sets in, the cooler temperatures and increased moisture create ideal conditions for fixing summer damage and preparing your lawn for winter.

From overseeding bare patches to applying the right autumn lawn feed, these seasonal tasks will ensure your garden stays in great shape and is ready to thrive come spring.

October conditions can be ideal for seeding your lawn as soil temperatures are still warm after the summer and there is more rain which provides better conditions for growing Grass Seed.

Can I Mow My Lawn In October?

Even though October provides great conditions to grow new grass seed, your existing lawn growth will starts to slow down. This means you can reduce the frequency of how often you mow your lawn.

Mowing your lawn once a fortnight until mid October should be adequate but this really depends on weather conditions. As a general rule, if its still growing, then you can still be mowing!

Tips for October Lawn Mowing

Not Too Short

Be mindful not to cut more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. Cutting too short can stress the grass. The grass will take longer to rebound as growth is slowing down.

Raise Mower Height

If you’ve been cutting your grass shorter during the summer, raise the mower height for your last few mows in October. This helps the grass to store more energy for the winter months.

Avoid Waterlogged Lawns

Pay attention to how wet the ground is. Using heavier mowers when the ground is boggy or wet can churn up the soil. This can cause damage. Wait for the right ground condition before sneaking in your late season mowing.

Remove Debris

Keep your lawn clear of fallen branches and debris that can smother the grass and prevent healthy growth.

What Temperature Does Grass Seed Grow At?

If you’re planning to overseed your lawn in October, it’s important to understand the ideal temperatures for grass seed germination, especially for cool-season grasses like ryegrass and fescues.

These grasses thrive in slightly cooler weather, making Autumn an excellent time for overseeding or starting a new lawn.

Ryegrass

Ryegrass dominant grass seed mixes are ideal for this time of year as it germinates best when the soil temperatures are above 8 °C.

The most appealing qualities of ryegrass is that it is quick to germinate and it blends well with most UK grasses making it a great mix to use for overseeding patches in your lawn.

It’s also hardy and tough so tolerates high amounts of foot traffic making it ideal for family used lawns. Our most ryegrass dominant mix is our premium hard wearing grass seed.

Fescues

Most Fescue grass seed typically germinates at temperatures above 10°C which makes autumn and spring an ideal time to overseed or seed a new lawn.

Strong red fescue, slender red fescue, and hard fescue are three cool-season grass species great grass seeds for shaded areas .

• Strong red fescue stands out for its adaptability, making it ideal for lawns and erosion control.
• Slender red fescue offers a fine, graceful texture, making it a top choice for ornamental landscaping.
• Hard fescue thrives in low-fertility soils, making it perfect for sustainable, low-maintenance lawns and high-use areas.

These grasses collectively contribute to resilient, attractive landscapes and are also suitable for shaded conditions.

Recommended Products

Seeding Your Lawn in October

Whether you’re overseeding your lawn after a summer of wear and tear or starting from scratch and sowing a completely new lawn, there is still time in October for your seeds to thrive:

Tips for October Seeding

Cut your Lawn

Start by cutting your lawn if you’re overseeding.

Prepare the Soil

Before seeding, ensure your soil is well-prepared by removing debris, weeds, and thatch with a rake or scarifier. Loosen the soil to improve seed-to-soil contact.

Fertilise

Consider a balanced fertilizer with a higher phosphorus (P) content to promote root development. A pre-seed fertiliser can be applied just before you apply the grass seed.

Pick Your Seed

Select a high-quality grass seed blend that suits your lawn. Apply with a spreader for best results.

Water the grass

Keep the newly seeded area consistently moist but not waterlogged. Frequent, light watering is usually more effective than infrequent heavy watering.

Patience is Key

Grass seed germination takes time, and you may not see substantial growth until spring. Be patient and continue to care for the area throughout the fall and into the winter.

Feeding Your Lawn in October

Feeding your lawn with Autumn Lawn fertiliser in October is beneficial for several reasons. Phased release granular fertilisers provide nutrients to keep your lawn looking healthy and stand up to the cold.

As the rainfull increases over the autumn and winter period it can mean lawn diseases are more common, so feeding your grass with the necessary nutrients can help it resist against diseases and weeds in the lawn.

As the weather begins to cool, grass plants shift their energy towards root development rather than top growth.

Providing a balanced fertilizer during this period helps strengthen the root system, promoting a healthier and more resilient lawn leaving you with a much healthier lawn when spring comes round.

It important to feed your lawn with fertilise before the first frost so October is a great time to apply before the winter arrives.

Recommended Products

How Do You Treat Moss In October?

Controlling moss in your lawn in October is crucial for a healthier lawn. Start by raking or dethatching to remove debris. Reseed bare spots with suitable grass varieties, reducing moss-friendly areas.

Moss often indicates underlying problems like poor drainage or excess shade, which should be addressed.

Consistent lawn maintenance practices, such as proper mowing and watering, are essential to get rid of moss in your lawn

Preventing Grub Damage

A well-maintained lawn, achieved through regular mowing, proper watering and aeration, creates a robust and resilient turf leaving it less susceptible to infestations.

Knowing a few telltale signs can help you quickly identify whether you have grubs present and your grass is under attack from lawn grubs

One of the most effective ways to get rid of lawn grubs is to use a product called nematodes.

You can buy pathogenic nematodes which kill the larvae in the grubs by infecting them with a fatal bacterial disease.

This disease stops the pest from feeding and quickly kills them. Another option is to manually remove by digging the area up and reseeding.

Free Lawncare Calendar

Signup for monthly tips, special offers and get a free lawncare calendar

I agree to T&C and can unsubscribe at any time.

Leave this field empty if you're human:

FAQ’s