Looking After Your Lawn This August

August is a key month for lawn care in Norfolk. Experiencing warm, dry spells, especially along the coast, but heavy showers can also trigger rapid grass growth. The aim is to keep your lawn healthy without stressing it during hot weather.

Here are the top lawn care tips for August:

🌱 Raise the mower height

If the weather is hot and dry:

• Mow little and often.
• Raise the cutting height to around 4–5 cm (1½–2 inches).
• Longer grass shades the soil, helping it retain moisture and reducing stress.

Avoid cutting off more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mow.

If your lawn turns brown in drought, don’t panic—most lawns recover quickly once rain returns.

🍃 Feed only if conditions are right

If your lawn is still actively growing:

• Apply a summer lawn feed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Avoid feeding during very hot, dry weather unless you can water thoroughly afterwards.

Late August can also be a good time to prepare for an autumn feed in September.

🌾Repair worn patches

Areas damaged by children’s play, pets or garden furniture can be repaired now if the soil is moist.

• Lightly rake the area.
• Sow fresh grass seed.
• Keep the area damp until the new grass establishes.

Warm soil helps grass seed germinate quickly.

🌬️Improve airflow

If the lawn has become compacted:

• Spike it with a garden fork every 10–15 cm.
• This improves drainage and allows air and water to reach the roots.

This is especially useful on clay soils after summer use.

🌿Keep weeds under control

Remove weeds before they set seed.

• Hand-pull larger weeds such as dandelions and plantains.
• Spot-treat stubborn weeds if necessary, following product instructions carefully.

Healthy, thick grass naturally suppresses many weeds.

🍂 Brush away leaves and debris

Although autumn is approaching, early leaf fall can begin in August.
Regularly remove:

• Fallen leaves.
• Twigs.
• Fruit from nearby trees.

This prevents patches of grass from being smothered and reduces disease risk.

🐜Watch for lawn pests and disease

Warm weather can encourage:

• Leatherjackets and chafer grubs.
• Red thread disease, especially in underfed lawns.
• Fairy rings.

Most problems are easier to manage if spotted early.

🌧️ Make the most of rain

After a spell of rain:

• Mow when the grass is dry.
• Carry out any lawn repairs or overseeding while the soil is warm and moist.
• Top up thin areas before cooler autumn weather arrives.

🍁 Prepare for autumn lawn care

Late August is the perfect time to plan for September jobs:

• Scarifying if thatch has built up.
• Overseeding thin areas.
• Autumn feeding.
• Moss control if needed.

Getting organised now will help your lawn recover from summer and stay in excellent condition through autumn and into next spring.

Top tip for Norfolk: Sandy soils, particularly in coastal areas, dry out much faster than heavier inland soils. If your garden is on light, sandy ground, consider leaving the grass slightly longer and applying a thin layer of compost as a top dressing after any late-summer rain. This helps improve moisture retention and encourages stronger root growth.