Queensland Autumn Lawn Care Tips

As the days begin to shorter and your lawn’s growing phase slows, it’s a great time to readjust your lawncare routine to take into account the needs of your lawn during the Autumn months.

While Queensland doesn’t traditionally have the falling leaves of southern states and Northern hemisphere countries, we do still have the odd deciduous tree that will drop leaves onto the lawn. Ensure that you keep the lawn as clear as possible so the lawn plants don’t struggle to survive under moist and rotting vegetation. Depending on the types of trees in your yard, and your neighbour’s yard, raking once a week or every few days should manage to keep the lawn clear. Don’t forget that the leaves you rake up can be a great addition to your compost heap.

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.

Heavy traffic, pests and disease over the warmer months can cause bare patches to appear in your lawn. To take advantage of the last of the growing phase before the dormant phase begins, repair bare patches now as part of your Autumn lawn care tasks.

Summer downpours and traffic can cause soil compaction which will begin to starve the roots of much needed oxygen, water and nutrients to get through the cooler months. Now is the time to undertake aeration so your lawn is in the best position to remain healthy over Winter.

Once you have cleared the lawn of debris, removed the thatch, repaired any bare patches and aerated, it’s a perfect time to fertilise. Fertilising now will encourage a growth spurt to rebuild after these tasks and prepare for the cooler climate. Consider a slow release fertiliser to last the distance. Remember to always water the fertiliser in thoroughly or apply right before it rains. Spread evenly over the entire lawn to ensure consist growth as well as avoiding the likelihood of fertiliser burn if too much is received in one place.

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