Winter is coming…prepare your lawn

Taking care of your lawn doesn’t involve anything complicated. Honestly, it’s just a matter of knowing what to do and when. While here in south-east Queensland winter is approaching (as much of a winter as we get), it’s a good time to take note of the seasonal needs of your turf – so you’re prepared, whatever the weather.

When the temperatures start to warm and lawns start to grow faster – a great time to get your lawn a boost and ensure it’s healthy heading into summer.

Spring lawncare tasks:

• Spread granular, slow-acting fertiliser. Only do this after a pH soil test, so you are adding just what your soil needs
• Aerate the lawn if necessary to treat compacted soil
• Mulch with organic matter, if required
• Sharpen your mower blades and have your lawnmower serviced at the start of the season
• Have your irrigation system checked – heads cut out and adjusted, battery replaced, check for leaks, etc.

When the temperatures climb it’s a great time to ensure your lawn is ready to cope. Lawn should be a bit longer over the warmer months to reduce evaporation and shelter the soil from the heat. In south east Queensland our summer months can be filled with storms and lots of humidity. Keep an eye on the rainfall and only water when required. Water your lawn in the early morning to avoid both fungal issues if the lawn is left too damp, and evaporation issues if lawn is watered in the heat of the day.

• Remove dead or overgrown shrubs and branches
• Learn the signs of pest infestation and deal with them as soon as they arrive
• Water your lawn 2 or 3 times a week if rain is scarce. Aim for 2.5cms across the entire lawn over the course of a week
• Treat weeds and deal with bare spots as soon as you see them
• Set your lawnmower height higher
• Sharpen your mower blade again halfway through the season

In south east Queensland we don’t really get the dramatic changing colours our southern counterparts do to signal autumn, but there are subtle changes we and our lawn feel – the days get shorter, the temperatures cooler and it’s a great time to feed your lawn to give it a top up before winter…

• Aerate your lawn if required paying special attention to the high traffic areas such as the walk to and from the clothesline
• Mulch with organic material or mow a layer of fallen leaves or clippings into the lawn
• Fertilise your lawn towards the end of the season to promote strong root growth during winter
• Don’t ‘scalp’ your lawn – mow grass and leave at least 5 cms high

Okay, so we don’t get a dramatic winter here either – no snow, sleet or anything of that nature but still our lawn growth will slow and it needs a eye cast over it every now and then. Weeds don’t really slow in the same way as lawn and can see the cooler months as an opportunity to invade so that’s something to watch out for.

• Even though grasses grow more slowly during the winter months, remember to water your lawn if it doesn’t rain for three to four weeks
• Late winter is the time to apply pre-emergent herbicides to your lawn. Consult with your local garden centre or turf specialist for direction on this process.

Overall it’s about just adjusting your lawncare regime slightly to be in line with what your lawn needs to get through each season in a healthy, thriving state.

If you’re building a new place, have a lawn long past its best, or are renovating and are in need of a lawn that better suits your needs and location just get in touch with the team at Daleys Turf. We are turf growers and suppliers and service the south east Queensland area – from the Gold Coast, to Ipswich, Brisbane and our backyard – the Sunshine Coast.