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Guide to natural lawn care after wet conditions

Wet weather can significantly affect your lawn’s health, encouraging the proliferation of various pests, diseases, and other turf issues. Understanding these common problems and employing natural strategies can help maintain a healthy, resilient lawn. 

Here is a summary of the recommended techniques for handling typical lawn challenges in post-rainy conditions. This advice is inspired by best practices similar to those used by our Farm Manager and agronomist, Tom Anderson, to ensure Rolawn’s Medallion turf performs successfully across the UK.

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Common lawn issues after sustained periods of excessive rain

  • Fusarium Patch disease: Also known as snow mould, this fungal disease thrives in cold, wet conditions. It appears as small, circular, dead patches that may have a pinkish tinge.
  • Red Thread: This fungal disease is identifiable by the red threads that form around the leaf blades. It typically occurs during humid, moist periods. 
  • Anthracnose: This disease affects grass during periods of high moisture and temperature stress, resulting in yellowing turf and basal rot.
  • Chafer Grubs: These grubs feed on grass roots, leading to yellow patches. Wet conditions are favourable for their eggs.
  • Excess moss and thatch: Wet conditions can also promote the growth of moss and the accumulation of thatch, which suffocates and weakens the underlying grass.
  • Poa annua/Annual Meadow Grass (AMG): Often considered a weed in fine lawns, Poa annua thrives in wet conditions and can quickly dominate a lawn due to its high seed production and fast germination rate. It is noticeable by its lighter green colour and tufted growth. During periods of stress, such as hot, dry summers, Poa annua patches can die off, leading to uneven grass coverage.

Natural strategies for lawn care

  • Preventive measures
    • Aerate your lawn: Regular aeration helps improve drainage and reduces waterlogging, a common cause of fungal diseases and thatch build-up. Use a garden fork or a mechanical aerator to perforate the soil, allowing air and nutrients to penetrate deeper.
    • Improve drainage: For areas prone to heavy moisture, consider installing drainage solutions such as French drains or sand channels, which help redirect excess water away from your lawn.
    • Choose resistant grass types: Opt for grass species naturally resistant to diseases common in your area. These varieties can withstand wet conditions better and are less prone to fungal diseases.
  • Managing lawn diseases and pests
    • Fusarium Patch and Red Thread: Increase air circulation by thinning out surrounding plants and regularly mowing the lawn to the correct height. Avoid evening watering to ensure the grass blades dry overnight.
    • Anthracnose: Maintain a balanced nutrient level in the soil, particularly avoiding excess nitrogen. Strengthen the turf through proper mowing techniques and occasional light top-dressing with compost to improve soil health.
    • Chafer Grubs: Encourage natural predators like birds and hedgehogs, which feed on these grubs. Aeration also disrupts the grubs’ life cycle, making your lawn less appealing for egg-laying.
  • Reducing moss and thatch
    • Rake Regularly: Use a scarifying rake in early spring or late autumn to remove thatch and moss. This cleans up the lawn and enhances grass growth by improving sunlight and nutrient penetration. Fully scarify if needs be.
    • Top dress with organic matter: Apply a thin layer of mixed fine sand and organic compost. This top dressing enriches the soil and encourages beneficial microbial activity, further reducing thatch.
    • Natural moss control: Persistent moss can be caused by acidic soils, which can be adjusted by applying garden lime. This natural adjustment discourages moss growth without the use of harsh chemicals.
  • Controlling AMG
    • Reduce space availability: maintaining a healthy, dense turf with appropriately timed fertilisation, mowing, and aeration can help suppress Poa annua growth by reducing the space available for it to establish.
    • Manual removal: this may be feasible for small lawns. It involves pulling out the grass and removing the roots to prevent regrowth.
    • Mowing at a higher height: can help other grass species outcompete Poa annua, which prefers shorter trimming.
    • Introducing competitive grass species: overseeding with competitive species in autumn or early spring can help dilute Poa annua’s presence and improve the lawn’s overall appearance and health.

General care

  • Regular mowing: Keep the grass at an ideal height, which varies by grass type. Regular cutting encourages denser growth and reduces the room for moss and weeds.
  • Water wisely: Over-watering can exacerbate issues. Water your lawn deeply but infrequently to encourage deeper root growth, which helps the grass survive dry spells and recover better from periods of excessive moisture.

Adopting these natural, preventative strategies allows you to effectively manage and maintain a healthy lawn even after prolonged wet conditions. Remember, the key to a resilient lawn is consistent care and adapting practices to suit the changing conditions.

Further guidance

For more techniques to help you maintain your garden, explore our other advice guides.

You can also sign up for lawn tips to receive regular lawn care and gardening advice, news and promotional offers by email which will help you get the best from your garden.

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