The impact of leaves on your lawn

A thick blanket of leaves can create problems for grass health. When leaves pile up and remain damp, they block sunlight and restrict airflow, creating the perfect environment for mould, fungi, and lawn disease. Over time, this can weaken or even kill patches of grass. In extreme cases, lawns can suffocate under too much leaf cover, leaving your garden with bare or patchy areas in spring.

However, a light scattering of leaves is unlikely to cause significant harm, particularly if you mow the lawn occasionally. Mowing over dry leaves chops them into smaller pieces, which decompose faster and actually return nutrients to the soil, providing a natural, free fertiliser.

What about new turf?

If your lawn has only recently been laid, it’s important to keep it free from fallen leaves. New turf needs plenty of light, air, and water to establish strong roots. A covering of leaves can increase the risk of fungal disease and other problems, which slow down growth. Use a soft rake, brush or a leaf blower on a low setting to clear debris without disturbing the turf. Once the grass has rooted properly you can start mowing and treating it much like an established lawn.

The case for wildlife

Leaves play an important role in the garden ecosystem. Hedgehogs, frogs, toads and insects all use fallen leaves for shelter during colder months. Caterpillars and other small creatures feed on decaying leaf matter, while birds benefit from the increased food supply. By leaving some leaves in borders, under hedges, by outbuildings or in quieter corners of the garden, you will be creating valuable habitats for wildlife without compromising your lawn.

Best of both worlds

A balanced approach is perhaps the best option. Rake or mow leaves from the central lawn areas to keep the grass healthy. Then gather them into piles in less-used spots or spread them across flowerbeds. This way, your lawn remains in good condition while local wildlife enjoys a safe haven.

What to do with collected leaves

If you do rake leaves, there are several ways you can put them to good use:

Make leaf mould: collected leaves can be stored in a bin bag or wire cage to slowly decompose. This will give you a nutrient-rich soil conditioner.

Use as mulch: spread shredded leaves over garden beds. These help to insulate soil, suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Add to compost: by mixing leaves with grass clippings and kitchen waste, you can create balanced compost.

The verdict!

Leaving a few leaves is good for wildlife and the overall garden ecosystem, but a thick layer on your lawn can cause damage. So, aim for a compromise. Clear most of the leaves from grassy areas, then recycle the leaves into mulch, compost, or wildlife-friendly piles. Your lawn will stay healthy, your garden creatures will thank you, and nothing will go to waste.

Key Actions

• Clear thick layers of leaves from your lawn regularly to keep grass healthy and prevent disease.
• Leave some leaves in borders, hedges, or corners to provide valuable shelter for wildlife.
• Recycle raked leaves into compost, mulch, or leaf mould so nothing goes to waste.

If you would like further advice on looking after new turf, please contact us on 01392 231040 or email sales@wesellturf.com

1. Roots are still developing
   When turf is first laid, the grass relies on a thin layer of soil within the turf itself. The roots have not yet grown down into the underlying soil, so the turf cannot access deeper reserves of moisture. In hot, dry conditions, the shallow soil quickly dries out, leaving the turf stressed. Established lawns, on the other hand, have deep, well-developed root systems that can draw water from lower levels, making them more resilient.
2. Lack of reserves
   Mature grass plants have built up carbohydrate and energy reserves over time, which help them withstand periods of drought. Newly laid turf has been recently harvested and transplanted, which can cause a degree of stress. Without established reserves, new turf is less able to cope with water shortages and temperature extremes.
3. Greater risk of gaps and shrinkage
   If new turf dries out, the edges of the rolls can shrink and curl, creating gaps in your lawn. Once this happens, weeds may take hold, and the lawn’s appearance can be permanently affected. Regular watering in the first few weeks is essential to keep the turf plump and the seams tight. You can water new turf even during a hosepipe ban, for the first 28 days after installation.
4. Heat stress is more damaging
   Dry weather is often accompanied by intense sunlight. Without an established root system, new turf cannot replace water lost through evaporation quickly enough, and the grass blades can scorch. Brown patches can develop rapidly, and recovery can be slow.

How to care for new turf in dry weather

• Water thoroughly and consistently: for the first two to three weeks after laying, water every day in the early morning or evening to minimise evaporation. Use a sprinkler or hose with a fine spray to ensure even coverage. The goal is to soak the soil beneath the turf so roots grow downwards.
• Check moisture levels: lift a corner of the turf occasionally to check the soil underneath. If it’s dry, it needs more water.
• Avoid heavy use: keep foot traffic to a minimum until the turf has rooted in, as this prevents damage to fragile roots.
• Mow carefully: Wait until the turf is well rooted before mowing for the first time. Set the mower blade high to avoid stressing the grass.

While the extra care may feel like hard work, especially during a dry spell, the effort will pay off. After around six to eight weeks, your new turf should have developed a strong root system and will be far better equipped to cope with dry conditions, much like an established lawn. With the right start, you’ll enjoy a healthy, resilient lawn for years to come.

If you would like further advice on looking after new turf, please contact us on 01392 231040 or email sales@wesellturf.com

Therefore it is one of the most challenging seasons too.  Your lawn will require a level of commitment to keep it healthy and strong, but don’t let that deter you, it’s very simple and we’ve got some advice to ensure you and your family enjoy your lawn all summer long.

Grass is an extraordinarily resilient plant and with just a few tips can survive both ice and drought within weeks of each other.

NEW TURF

For those emergency gardening situations, when only new turf will do, it’s transformative effect will give your garden an instant wow factor. However, it also means additional care will be necessary, when laying turf during July and August, when higher temperatures and drought are more likely, ensure you water thoroughly. The danger of just a light watering is that roots are attracted up to the surface rather than down into the soil. For a large area sophisticated irrigation may be needed to deliver enough water. Please do ask us for advice on this as we sometimes hear of new lawns completely dying off without enough water.

If you are having turf delivered during the summer it is best to lay it on the day of delivery, but if this is not possible, unroll the turf in a holding area and water it regularly to ensure it doesn’t dry out.

Read more about laying turf here

ESTABLISHED LAWNS – 2 or 3 years or older

Watering

Prolonged periods of heat and dry spells are the biggest problems for your lawn during the summer, and lawns can quickly appear ‘dead’. But don’t be alarmed: the roots will still be alive and colour should be restored after a good down pour or watering. The turf we grow and supply is hard-wearing and has some drought tolerance. Read more about our turf here

This is the season when you really need to be on hand to quench your lawn’s thirst.

To avoid scorching and evaporation the best time for watering the lawn is early morning or evening, ideally allowing the moisture to sink a good 10cm into the soil. A couple of times a week should be enough to hydrate tired lawns. 

Weeding & Moss Removal

It’s very common to have weeds in your lawn during the summer: weeds love sunshine and warmth, so keep up the weeding.  It’s a good idea to hand weed before they get out of control and set seed.

If you want to apply a weed killer, do so when they are actively growing between April and September, avoiding drought periods. Cool evenings are the best time to do this.

Feeding

Continuing to feed your lawn helps support and protect it through the summer months, ensuring it remains a vibrant shade of green, enabling vital nutrients to nurture and condition it, keeping it healthy and strong throughout the entire season. A well-fed lawn enables recovery after any extended periods of drought. You can feed your lawn after mowing every 3-4 weeks between May and August, though in most gardens twice a year (Spring and Autumn) will give good results. Apply fertilisers when the soil is moist, or when rain is expected. We recommend visiting your local garden centre for advice on a suitable product

If your garden has features which are challenging for healthy grass growth such as deep shade, poor soil quality or poor drainage, the stronger you can make the grass growth with the use of lawn feed the better its chances.

Mowing

Your lawn will be at its strongest during the summer months and will grow fast if it rains. So it’s a good idea to cut it regularly to keep it healthy, leaving it around 5cm long is recommended. It’s best not to cut too short each time as this will cause damage and dry out in hot spells. So never cut more than one third of its current length.

In dry spells grass growth can slow right down so you can mow less often. It’s easy when it’s very dry to inadvertently cut it a little short giving a straw-coloured lawn. But as above (see “Watering”) an established lawn will recover quickly when it gets a drink.

Summary

• New turf will need rigorous watering
• Established lawns are much more resilient but can lose their greenness. This is easily reversed.
• Weeds thrive in sunshine so try to remove them before they spread too much seed
• Feeding – particularly useful if your garden is shady or poorly drained
• Mow cautiously in the warmest weather to keep grass greener.

If you would like further advice on lawn care this summer or would like to talk to us about ordering turf, please contact us on 01392 231040 or email sales@wesellturf.com