A long hot summer has come to an end and temperatures should be heading south over the coming months, time for some Autumn lawn care.
Your grass has suffered through a very hot summer and is likely to need a boost, so now is the time to get in there while you still have some of the growing season left. Autumn is a great time of year to tend to your lawn and get it looking it’s best with some simple lawn care.
Much of the work now will be to get your lawn in good health for the cooler months ahead where it will slow down into a certain level of dormancy. The better your grasses health is going into winter the better it will come out the other side in spring.
Here’s some things you can do:
Aerating
During summer you spend a lot more time enjoying your lawn, combine this with the heat of the sun and your soil base can get quite hard and compacted. This is not ideal for grass growth, so it’s important you undertake some aeration to de compact the soil base and better allow for oxygen, water and nutrient to penetrate to the roots of the plant.
Manage shade
Shade can be a particular problem for your lawn in the cooler months and it’s not until it warms up again that you realise the extent of the damage that has been caused by insufficient sunlight. Trim back any trees that you can and rake away any leaves and other debris regularly.
Fertilise
Autumn fertilising prepares your lawn for the winter months. It encourages prolonged growth to ensure a thick coverage and extended colour. This application will be the most important one for the year. Apply a slow release granular fertiliser, as it breaks down it will gradually release nutrients to your grass for up to 12 weeks.
Get on top of summer weeds
Over summer you may have had an infiltration of some summer weeds like crowsfoot or creeping oxalis. You need to get on top of these by applying the appropriate herbicides or hand removing before it cools down and your lawn is left weak during winter where it is even more susceptible to weed infestation.
Lay turf
Autumn is a great time to get some new turf down, there is enough time left in most states for good root establishment before winter. Lower temperatures during this time will mean you won’t require as much water to keep it hydrated as you would during summer. Get a great looking lawn with our expert advice and tips on laying turf and lawn care here.
