LOCAL

North West autumn garden watch: lawns, leaves and wet ground

What gardeners around Newton-le-Willows, Warrington and St Helens should keep an eye on as autumn settles in.

Leaves are becoming the priority

Once leaf fall builds up, lawns and paths need regular attention. A thick wet layer can smother grass and make hard surfaces slippery, so clear the worst of it little and often rather than waiting for one huge tidy-up.

Watch the ground before working it

North West gardens can move quickly from workable to saturated. Avoid repeated foot traffic, scarifying or heavy machinery on waterlogged lawns and borders, as this can compact soil and leave lasting damage.

Keep mowing flexible

If grass is still growing and conditions are dry enough, an occasional higher cut is useful. If the ground is very wet, frosty or the grass is soaked, leave it until conditions improve.