The 23p fruit you need to scatter over your lawn this winter to stop weeds growing on grass

NOW that we’re officially into autumn, it’s time to prepare our gardens for the colder months ahead.

And the wet and icy seasons are the perfect time to tackle pesky weeds.

Gardening expert Simon Akeroyd , Head of Estates and Landscapes at Painshill Park Trust, said excess weeds spring up in autumn due to poor drainage and compacted soil.

Speaking to Yell , he said: “When there is too much water in the soil, weeds compete with grass for resources and spread quickly.

“Prolonged waterlogging will kill finer grass species and allow the weeds to take over.

“In the autumn and winter months, increased levels of rain will cause your lawn to become even more waterlogged and weeds will thrive.”

He added: “While grass needs a fibrous root system to grow, weeds have a central root system; this means that even in compacted soil, weeds will grow easily and overtake grass species in your garden.

“Signs that you have compacted soil are bare or thin spots in your lawn – left to their own devices, these spots can become a prime spot for weed growth.”

But Simon revealed that a simple 23p fruit can help to get rid of these weeds over the coming weeks.

He said: “Applying lime will help to balance the PH of the soil and make it a less hospitable place for weeds to take hold, as weeds prefer acidic soil.

“Apply in the winter months, scattering evenly, at around 50 grams per square metre.

“Lime can help grass outcompete weeds by making the soil more conducive to grass growth.”

The garden expert also urges people to aerate their laws in autumn to “improve the quality” of the grass.

Aeration involves ensuring roots get enough oxygen, which helps them thrive.

This can be achieved by maintaining well-draining soil, avoiding waterlogging, or improving soil structure with organic matter for better airflow.

Lawn aeration specifically refers to creating small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the grass roots.

Simon adds, “Aeration helps to relieve compaction, increases drainage, which will reduce moss problems and increases airflow in the soil, which promotes healthier roots system and therefore a better and denser sward of lawn on the surface.

“You can then brush top dressing into the holes left by the fork to improve the quality of the soil in the rootzone of the lawn.”

By aerating and scarifying your lawn, you encourage stronger grass growth, making it harder for weeds to take hold.

And if you still want to squeeze in a few more cuts before winter, Simon insisted that gardeners should avoid mowing the lawn too short.

Cutting it too low can weaken the grass and in turn make it more susceptible to weeds, amongst other things.

For the healthiest and most sustainable lawn, a mowing height of 3.5 to 4 inches is ideal.

Lawns cut at this height are better at outcompeting weeds and they maintain an appearance just as attractive as lawns mowed at 2.5 inches, according to Simon.

It’s also important to rake before mowing, as he adds: “This removes much of the thatch, which is the dead and decaying material at the base of the grass blades. It may look harsh but it really helps improve the lawn quality.

“You will be amazed at how much thatch is on the surface of the grass.

“The thatch can impede moisture from getting to the roots and smother out the grass blades, resulting in a mossy-looking lawn. Thatch also prevents air circulation and can retain moisture, causing lawn fungal diseases.”