As your lawn’s growing phase slows and the days begin to shorten it’s an ideal time to relook at your lawncare routine and to take into account the needs of your lawn through the Autumn months.
Remove thatch
Firstly check your lawn for any moss. If you rake before removing any moss you will simply cause the spores to spread throughout the lawn. If you find moss, apply a moss-killer and wait for it to die. Then you can use a garden fork to remove the layer of thatch that has formed on the soil surface over Summer.
Keep the lawn clear
While Queensland doesn’t have the endless falling leaves of our southern states, we do still have a few deciduous trees that will drop leaves onto the lawn. Make sure that you keep the lawn as clear as possible so that lawn plants don’t struggle to survive under moist and rotting vegetation. Raking every few days or at least once a week should manage to keep the lawn clear. Don’t forget that the leaves you rake up make a great addition to your compost heap.
Repair bare patches
Heavy traffic, disease and pests over the warmer months can be the reason bare patches are appearing in your lawn. Take advantage of the last of the growing phase before the dormant phase begins, and repair bare patches now as part of your Autumn lawn care tasks.
Aerate
Traffic and summer downpours can cause soil compaction which will begin to starve the roots of much needed oxygen, nutrients and water to get through the cooler months. Now is the time to undertake aeration so your lawn is in premium condition to remain healthy over Winter.
Feed the lawn
Once you have cleared the lawn of debris, aerated , removed the thatch, repaired any bare patches it’s now a perfect time to fertilise. Fertilising now will encourage a growth spurt to rebuild after these tasks and prepare your lawn for the cooler months ahead. Consider using a slow release fertiliser to last the distance. Always remember to water the fertiliser in thoroughly or apply right before it rains. Spread evenly over the entire lawn to ensure consistant growth as well as avoiding the likelihood of fertiliser burn if too much settles in one place.
Hi Terry Daley, Thank you for sharing these useful lawn care tips. After reading this article I realized o keeping our lawn healthy, we should follow these tips. I am going to add these in my daily lawn care list. Hope so it will work for me.