7 Tips for Autumn Lawn Care
As we enter the last few weeks of autumn, it is important to make sure that you take steps now to give your lawn the best chance to thrive during the colder months. Most grasses in Australia are warm season turf varieties (Buffalo, Kikuyu, Couch and Zoysia), and due to this, as the temperatures get cooler, their growth slows down. This results in a less vibrant lawn through winter. To help give your lawn the boost it needs to carry it through winter we’ve put together 7 Autumn Lawn Care Tips.
1. Clear Debris Regularly
As the temperatures drop, many trees and shrubs will drop their leaves. It is important to blow and/or rake these up regularly to make sure that your lawn gets as much sunlight as possible.
2. Minimise Shade
Following on from this point, as the days get shorter it is also important to minimise the shade on your lawn (from umbrellas, outdoor furniture etc.). Less sunlight can cause your lawn to lose its vibrancy which will only make it struggle more through winter.
3. Apply Pre-emergent Herbicide
As we mentioned earlier, whilst the colder temperatures slow our turf’s growth down, winter grasses thrive as the temperature drops. This is why it’s important to apply a pre-emergent herbicide in Autumn before they can take hold.
Barricade is a liquid pre-emergent herbicide that provides effective weed control in established turf before germination occurs. Applied through a pump or knapsack sprayer, Barricade penetrates more effectively than granular alternatives in dense or thatchy turf where granules may not reach the soil surface.
The active ingredient in Barricade inhibits the growth of germinating weed seeds, forming a protective zone in the soil that prevents establishment without affecting established turf. It is effective against wintergrass, crowsfoot, poa annua and a range of other broadleaf and grass weeds common in Perth lawns.
Barricade is the recommended alternative to OxaFert in situations where:
The lawn has heavy thatch that may prevent granular products reaching the soil
Previous granular applications have produced uneven results
A more targeted liquid application is preferred
Timing is identical to granular pre-emergents — apply before weed seed germination begins, targeting May to early June in Perth. Water in after application to activate the barrier.
Always follow label directions for rate and compatibility. Check label before use on Sir Walter Buffalo as some herbicide actives can cause sensitivity in buffalo varieties.
Freehand is a pre-emergent herbicide that prevents weeds from germinating. This powerful herbicide is labeled for the control and suppression of more than 60 of the toughest, most troublesome weeds.
OxaFert is one of the most practical and popular products we stock for Perth lawns — a granular pre-emergent herbicide and fertiliser combined in a single application. Instead of applying a separate pre-emergent and fertiliser, OxaFert does both jobs at once, saving time and reducing the number of products needed.
The pre-emergent component creates a chemical barrier in the top layer of soil that prevents germinating weed seeds from establishing a root system. It is effective against the most common winter weeds in Perth — wintergrass, crowsfoot grass and oxalis. Timing is critical: OxaFert must be applied before weed seeds germinate to be effective. In Perth, the target window is May to early June, before soil temperatures drop consistently below 15°C.
The fertiliser component provides a balanced nutrient feed at the same time, supporting colour and root health through the transition into the cooler months.
Apply with a rotary spreader at the recommended rate, then water in immediately. Do not apply to dry soil without watering in — the pre-emergent must be activated by moisture to form the soil barrier.
Compatible with Sir Walter Buffalo, TifTuf, Zoysia Australis and Nullarbor Couch. Check label for application rates specific to your variety.
4. Raise Mower Blades
During Autumn make sure to raise the height of your mower 1 or 2 notches. This will help your lawn to thicken up through winter and block out any weeds.
5. Aerate Your Lawn
Remember all of those BBQ’s and backyard footy matches you hosted over summer? All of this use will have compacted the soil beneath your turf down. Compacted soil means that water and much-needed nutrients will not be able to filter down into your root system effectively. To rectify this, and loosen your soil, you need to aerate your lawn. This can be easily done with a garden fork or aerator sandals.6. Apply Fertiliser
Autumn is also a great time to apply fertiliser to your lawn in order to provide essential nutrients for the cooler months. This will encourage stronger roots and a deeper colour for longer and will also help to mitigate any effects of summer stress. It is a good idea to use a slow-release fertiliser to give your lawn an initial nutrient boost, followed by a slow deposit of nutrients for the following months.
7. Don't Over Water
Finally, due to the recent wet weather, it is not necessary to water your lawn unless it really needs it over the next few weeks. If your lawn does need some hydration, remember to do this in the early mornings for the best results.[/vc_column_text]