Gardener shares £1 coin hack to keep your grass looking thick and lush all winter – plus 4 other essential lawn tasks

A LUSCIOUS lawn that gets the neighbours talking can be easily achieved with a £1 trick, according to a gardening expert.

Timothy Green revealed the efforts made this autumn will result in a thick and thriving lawn when spring arrives.

The expert from iCANLAWN.com spoke about bare patches from summer being a gardeners main focus in October.

He revealed these patches can be transformed by spring using the process of overseeding. 

“The clue is in the name for what overseeding is, and it is a simple process but there are a few checks you should do beforehand,” he said.

Among them is ensuring that the weather has been above 10 degrees consistently for around two weeks. 

He warned that grass seeds will struggle to germinate if the temperature has been too hot or cold, making October the perfect time to get stuck in.

Any moss, dead grass, or weeds should also be removed before using seeds. 

“Then you should mow the lawn as you won’t be able to while the new grass is growing,” he said. 

“And if you have any areas that are uneven, or have low-quality soil, use some topsoil to even these out.

“Then it’s time to ‘overseed’ the worn zones. Aim for a rate of 35g of seeds per square metre.”

Green said a rake can be useful for making sure that there is adequate space for the grass to grow. 

He then uses a £1 coin trick that is essential for helping gardeners to check if they’re overseeing correctly. 

“Three-pound coins stacked is the right depth for your seeds to access water, heat and sunlight,” he said.

Within seven to 10 days the results of overseeding will be visible with the soil plugs beginning to break down.

The grass will appear “fuller and healthier” as the seeds continue to germinate. 

Experts recommended waiting until the new grass is around five centimetres before mowing for the first time.

Best results are achieved by using the highest setting on lawnmowers and watering seedlings daily for around six weeks. 

Other lawn tasks to do in October

Craig Wilson, Gardening expert and founder of Gardeners Dream said: “October is a key month for lawn care as the weather shifts to cooler temperatures and heavier rain.

“Aerating your lawn is one of the most important tasks this month.

“Using a garden fork or an aerator will help the soil breathe and improve drainage, reducing the risk of waterlogging.

“Wet weather can also encourage moss growth, so applying a good quality moss killer early this month will keep it under control before it spreads.”

He told Fabulous exclusively: “Clearing leaves is another essential job for this month.

“If leaves are left to pile up on your lawn, they can block out sunlight and trap moisture which could lead to mould or dead patches in the grass.

“Make a habit of raking them up regularly, especially after heavy winds!”

Another job to do is adjusting the height of your mower blade.

Craig suggests raising it to “avoid cutting the grass too short”.

He added: “Leaving the blades a little longer will help protect the lawn as it faces colder weather.

“Grass that’s too short is much more vulnerable to stress from both cold and wet conditions.

“Lastly, an easy hack to prevent your lawn from staying wet for too long is to use a leaf blower on damp patches to speed up the drying process.

“Whilst this is not always essential, it can benefit areas of your lawn that have been waterlogged and are taking longer to dry out than other areas of the garden.”