There is a lot to do for hobby gardeners in autumn: the lawn needs to be properly cared for again before the winter months begin. Is sowing also on the program?
For many, work on the garden is over after the summer - but not too quickly. Especially in autumn you should use the time and optimally prepare your garden for the next spring. Is it still worth sowing or re-sowing the lawn? We clarify some burning questions.
Sowing the lawn: better in autumn or in spring?
Generally speaking, lawns can be sawn or reseeded both in autumn and in spring. In spring, the months March to May are best , depending on the weather. But autumn is also a good time to re-sow a lawn or to close gaps on the lawn. The best months are late August to October or even November .
In some respects, autumn is even more suitable for sowing than spring: the soil is still well warmed by the sun that has shone all summer and also has temperatures at night that help the seeds germinate. Due to the pleasant temperatures, the seedlings grow even faster than in some cases in spring, when the ground has to thaw properly after winter and there is still particularly fresh air.
In addition : this is the right time if you want to sow the lawn in spring.
Lawn: what temperature should be when sowing?
In order to germinate the lawn seeds, the " primary dormancy ", i.e. dormancy , must be overcome. Every lawn seed is equipped with this. That means: These only germinate when there are optimal environmental influences. This primarily refers to the factors water, oxygen and temperature . You can influence the first two factors yourself, but you have to be careful about the correct temperature. But what are the optimal conditions?
Here are some things to look out for:
- Temperatures between 16 and 23 degrees Celsius
- a moist and loose soil that is well-drained
- medium humus and nutrient content
- changeable weather between rain and sun, without it shining too bulging
If these points are met and the lawn seeds are used, it takes between seven and 28 days , depending on the lawn mixture , before they start to germinate.
Also, make sure you use a high-quality lawn mix so that you can not only enjoy lush greenery for a short time, but also benefit from it in the long term.
Also interesting : this is the best time to scarify.
Lawn in autumn: did I sow too late?
Before you start sowing, you should take a look at the weather report for the next few days and weeks. Lawn seeds are usually very flexible, but above a certain temperature the chances of success are slim. This should not fall below the ten degree mark in the days after sowing - not even at night - in order to still offer the seeds an optimal climate. If the temperatures are already below the limit, it no longer makes sense to sow the lawn in autumn.
Although there are seeds that still germinate at a minimum temperature of five degrees, it can be assumed that the temperatures will not get better afterwards - and the lawn seeds freeze in the ground or the fresh young stalks will die off again immediately.
The soil itself should also not be colder than five degrees - and not fall below this temperature in the two to three weeks after sowing if the lawn is to germinate.
How to prepare the lawn for sowing
Do you want to completely recreate the lawn? Then you have to do a little preparatory work: This is usually divided into two phases, the rough subgrade and the fine subgrade.
This has to be done with the rough subgrade:
- Dig the lawn around two spades deep or use a tiller.
- Remove everything that bothers you: stones, roots and weeds.
- Improve loamy, firm soils with quartz sand or peat.
- If the soil is sandy, add leaf compost, horn meal or bark humus.
- Smooth the area with a rake.
After that, roll the site and water it. Also, make sure that no one enters the area for the next two to three weeks. After at least 14 days , the next phase will begin.
What to do with the fine subgrade:
- The soil should become a loose bed in which the seeds can grow well. Therefore it is loosened and weeded again with a rake.
- Use a rake to level the soil again.
- Work the area again with a roller - then rake again.
After sowing : How long does it take for the lawn to grow?
How to sow your lawn in autumn
When the preparations are done, the worst work is done. Then spread the lawn seeds in a spreader or by hand. You walk the area lengthways and crossways and then work the seeds with a rake about 0.5 to one centimeter into the earth. Then walk over the area one more time with the roller and water it with a lawn sprinkler. The seeds only begin to germinate properly with the water. Then water the soil regularly without flooding it.
Re-sowing the lawn: what you need to know
If you just want to spice up your lawn a little before the onset of winter and not completely dig up again, you can simply reseed. You only have to pay attention to the temperatures - as mentioned above. When the new stalks have sprouted, you should mow as often as possible before the cold weather - but never less than five centimeters . If the cold front is imminent, let the lawn grow a little higher than usual before you cut it to five centimeters. Do the same for a newly sown lawn.
Not at all difficult : this is how you lay a turf.
Sowing the lawn and fertilizing at the same time - is that good?
In general, it is up to each gardener to decide whether he wants to sow and fertilize the lawn at the same time. Some even swear by it, because the fertilizer gives the seeds an important incentive. However, you have to try it yourself. It is important that you make sure that a different fertilizer is required in autumn than in spring. While the latter contain a lot of nitrogen, there is more potassium in an autumn fertilizer to make the lawn winter-proof. You can read more information about fertilizing the lawn in autumn here.
Read here : mulching lawns, yes or no? Those are the pros and cons.
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