September
Lay the Groundwork for your Renovations
September is the ideal time to prepare your pitches for renovation. With soil temperatures still warm and autumn rainfall starting to return, conditions are perfect for laying the groundwork. Taking action now helps set your surface up for successful renovation, strong growth, and long-term durability across the season.
Your Renovation Checklist:
1. Light grooming or scarification before seeding
a. Helps remove debris and prepare the surface.
b. Aim to cut grass to 15–20mm before seeding.
2. Overseeding
a. Use a seed spreader to ensure even coverage and strong germination.
b. Overseeding can be done while the pitch is still in use.
3. Top Dressing
a. Apply a light sand dressing to improve seed-to-soil contact.
b. It can also help to level out minor dips and improve surface quality.
4. Deep Spiking
a. Improves soil structure and drainage.
b. Supports strong root development.
5. Apply Granular Fertiliser
a. Use a granular fertiliser to boost nutrient levels.
b. Supports grass recovery and winter resilience.
Why should you aerate?
September is one of the best times to aerate your pitch. The return of rainfall helps soften the soil, making aeration more effective and less disruptive. With temperatures still mild, the grass remains active and can recover quickly. Aeration improves drainage, encourages stronger root development, and helps your pitch withstand the challenges of winter use. If you aerate now, you give your turf the best chance to stay healthy and resilient throughout the season.
What Fertiliser Should You Use?
The best fertiliser depends on your budget and pitch demands. If resources are limited, a slow-release or controlled-release fertiliser is a great choice. These products continue to feed the grass over several months, reducing the need for repeat applications and helping with pitch longevity. For best results, apply fertiliser using a pedestrian or mounted spreader to ensure even coverage and dosage.
Note: Always check the product label for guidance, particularly around watering in, as this varies between formulations.
Managing Multi-Use Pitches
If your pitch is used for more than one sport, such as transitioning from cricket to football, you’ll need to act early to protect the surface. Starting renovation prep as soon as possible allows the grass time to recover before it’s placed under new stresses. For less heavily used areas, such as outfields, begin mowing down to 30–40mm to encourage a denser, stronger sward. The earlier you start, the better your results will be as the season progresses.