August 18, 2025 - Turf Matters

Why Late Summer Sowing Works: Why Late Summer Sowing Works – Lawn Advice from The Grass People’s Chris McIlroy

While spring may seem like the natural time to sow grass seed, lawn care experts are encouraging homeowners to look later in the calendar. According to Chris McIlroy, lawn specialist at The Grass People, late summer is one of the most effective times of year to establish new grass or overseed tired lawns.

Why Late Summer Sowing Works

“Sowing in late summer is often overlooked, but it can actually give you some of the best results,” says McIlroy. “The conditions are more stable, soil temperatures are ideal, and there’s less weed competition than in spring. It’s a great window for successful germination.”

Soil is still warm – but the worst heat has passed

“By late August and into early September, the soil holds onto summer warmth but without the extreme temperatures that can dry out young seedlings,” explains McIlroy. “This creates an ideal environment for quick and even germination.”

Rainfall becomes more reliable

One of the key challenges in establishing new grass is consistent moisture. “In late summer, you typically get more regular rainfall,” says McIlroy. “That natural watering supports seed development and reduces the need for constant manual watering.”

Fewer weeds to compete with

Spring sowing often means competing with aggressive weeds. “By late summer, most annual weeds are past their peak,” McIlroy notes. “This gives grass seed a much better chance of establishing without having to fight for space or nutrients.”

A stronger lawn before winter

Sowing in late summer gives your lawn a head start heading into colder months. “New grass has several weeks to grow and develop roots before winter sets in,” says McIlroy. “That makes it stronger, more resilient, and better able to bounce back in spring.”

Ideal timing for repairing worn patches

Summer can take its toll on lawns, especially in high-traffic areas. McIlroy recommends late summer as the perfect time to repair any damage. “Whether it’s from kids, pets or prolonged dry weather, now’s the time to fill in bare spots and encourage uniform growth across your lawn.”

Final thoughts from Chris McIlroy

“Late summer is a golden opportunity for lawn care that many people miss. With the right timing and preparation, you can set your lawn up for long-term success heading into autumn and beyond.”

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Hamilton GC underway with ‘summer Wiedenmann phase’: Hamilton Golf Club has entered what Course Manager Neil Hogg calls its “summer Wiedenmann phase” — when its fleet of specialist turf care machines is fine-tuned for summer maintenance.

Neil joined the Lanarkshire club in December 2022 from Bruntsfield Links GC in Edinburgh, inheriting three key Wiedenmann machines: a Terra Spike GXi8, a Super 500, and a Core Recycler.

Hamilton GC underway with ‘summer Wiedenmann phase’

“I’ve always liked how Wiedenmann kit works,” says Neil. “It’s well-engineered, reliable, and gets the job done.”

Since then, the fleet has grown through Fairways GM, Wiedenmann’s exclusive Scottish dealer, with a Terra Spike XP in summer 2023, a Mega Twister blower in summer 2024, and most recently a 2.3m Terra Rake in October 2024.

While many clubs use this machinery mainly in autumn and winter, Neil keeps it working year-round.

“In summer, the Terra Rake goes across fairways, aprons, and tees to lift the grass and break up any matting. Particularly with fairways, many turfgrasses spread sideways, and over time this lateral growth can make the surface puffy and uneven. The rake’s spring tines comb through the canopy, tugging at horizontal shoots and leaf blades to keep that in check. The faster we go, the more thatch we remove, keeping the surface open and healthy. Raking acts as a mild stress, shifting the plant’s energy from spreading sideways to growing upright, which produces a denser, more vertical canopy. The light tearing encourages the grass to repair by sending up new vertical shoots.”

The process is followed by a cut with the new Jacobsen LF570 fairway mower and a clean-up pass with the Mega Twister blower.

“The blower was a godsend in winter for clearing leaves, and now it speeds everything up. It’s reliably versatile — standing up the turf, drying it when needed, and leaving a tidy finish. We can rake, cut, and clean in one go.”

Neil says performance is the priority, with improved appearance a welcome bonus.

“When grass lies over, it mats down and the cut suffers. The Terra Rake is like back-combing the turf — once it’s upright, the mower gives a sharper, more even finish.”

The mower is usually set to 10 mm for daily work, but after raking, Neil drops it to 9 mm.

“The Jake’s brand new, so we get a perfect finish. That fresh cut also improves ball roll and makes the course more enjoyable to play.”

The Super 500 is also key in managing the tiger rough, which is topped in summer to encourage healthy regrowth and prevent matting.

“The rough can grow knee-high. When it’s wet, it just flops over and won’t stand back up — a bit like fairways, only on a bigger scale. In autumn, it’s cut back to 5–7 cm to stop leaves becoming trapped. The rake then reduces thatch and bulk, producing finer, softer growth for the following season.

“It’s about long-term improvement as much as presentation,” says Neil. “Better airflow, better recovery, and ultimately, a better playing surface.”