As the year winds down and the evenings draw in, your lawn is already preparing for 2026.
Most people think spring is when lawn care begins—but the truth is simple:

Great lawns are built now, in autumn and early winter.
What you do over the next few weeks determines how well your lawn recovers, how quickly it greens up, and how resilient it will be against stress, drought, moss, and weeds next year.

Here are the five steps that make the biggest difference.

1. Clear Leaves & Debris to Let Your Lawn Breathe

When leaves build up, they create a damp, dark layer that blocks light and traps moisture.
Left alone, this encourages:

  • Moss

  • Thatch

  • Fungal problems

  • Bare patches in spring

A simple weekly clear-up keeps the lawn healthy through winter. Use a rake, blower, or even just your hands—whatever keeps the grass exposed to light and air.

Pro tip: Don’t wait for one big tidy-up. Light, frequent clears prevent damage more effectively.

2. Relieve Soil Compaction with Autumn Aeration

After summer footfall, dry spells, and mowing, the soil underneath your lawn can become compacted. This restricts:

  • Oxygen

  • Water movement

  • Root development

The result? Weak, thin grass that struggles to compete with moss and weeds.

Autumn aeration reopens the soil and encourages deeper, stronger root growth—especially when followed with an autumn feed.

At Shrekfeet, we use professional aeration methods that create clean, effective channels without disrupting the lawn’s appearance.

3. Feed Roots with an Autumn Fertiliser

Spring feeds are all about fast, green growth.
Autumn feeds are completely different: they strengthen from below.

A proper autumn fertiliser:

  • Boosts root growth

  • Increases carbohydrate storage (your lawn’s “winter battery”)

  • Enhances colour and density

  • Builds resilience for next year

It doesn’t push soft leaf growth—so your lawn becomes tougher, not taller.

This is one of the most important steps you can take for a great lawn next year. If you only do one thing, do this.

4. Stay on Top of Moss & Thatch Before They Spread

Winter is moss season. Shade, rain and low temperatures create the perfect conditions for it to thrive.

Tackling moss now prevents a bigger problem in early spring, when moss can take over entire areas and block healthy grass.

Common signs include:

  • A springy, sponge-like feel

  • A dull, flat appearance

  • Patches that stay wet longer than the rest of the lawn

If your lawn has thatch (a layer of dead organic matter), it also needs attention. Excess thatch suffocates the soil and stops nutrients reaching the roots.

An early intervention now can prevent full renovation later.

5. Let Your Lawn Rest Through Winter (It Matters!)

Once temperatures drop, grass growth naturally slows—but the roots remain active.

Giving your lawn a period of rest helps:

  • Protect new root development

  • Avoid compaction

  • Prevent winter disease

  • Encourage stronger spring recovery

Keep traffic light, avoid mowing when it’s wet or frosty, and allow the soil to settle.

Think of this as your lawn’s recovery phase after autumn’s prep work.

Why These 5 Steps Make Such a Big Difference

Taken together, these steps transform how your lawn performs next year:

  • Stronger roots mean thicker growth.

  • Less compaction means better drainage and fewer weeds.

  • Less moss and thatch means more space for healthy grass to thrive.

  • Autumn feeding carries your lawn through winter and powers its spring comeback.

Your lawn becomes greener, denser, softer underfoot—and far easier to maintain through summer.

Ready for Your Best Lawn in 2026?

Whether you want a one-off treatment or a full professional plan, now is the time to act.
A few smart steps today can completely change how your lawn looks next spring.

Shrekfeet can help with:

  • Autumn feeds

  • Moss treatment

  • Aeration

  • Scarification

  • Bespoke seasonal plans

  • Renovation work

A little preparation now leads to a lawn you’ll be proud of all year.