Prepare Your Lawn for Winter: An Essential Checklist
As the chill sets in and daylight hours dwindle, it's time to shift your lawn care focus to preparing for the cooler months ahead. A little proactive care now can make a big difference in how well your lawn survives winter and bounces back in spring. Here's your essential winter lawn care checklist:
The Lowdown on Mowing: Adjust Your Routine
While your lawn's growth will naturally slow down as temperatures drop, don't put the mower away completely! It's still important to continue mowing, but adjust your frequency and always adhere to the "one-third rule."
What is the one-third rule? This golden rule dictates that you should never remove more than one-third of the grass blade's length in a single mow. Exceeding this can stress your lawn and lead to scalping, which weakens the grass. By consistently following this rule, you ensure your lawn remains healthy and robust, even as it enters dormancy.
Feeding Your Lawn: The Right Fertiliser for Cooler Temps
It is crucial to give your lawn a final nutritional boost before winter arrives. Fertilising helps your lawn recover from any stresses accumulated during the warmer months and can even help maintain its colour deeper into winter.
If you’re still experiencing relatively warm temperatures, granular fertilisers like Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser or Knights Coastal Special Mix are excellent choices. They provide a slow and steady release of nutrients.
However, if the mercury has already started to drop significantly, a liquid fertiliser such as Exceed is recommended. Liquid fertilisers are absorbed quickly through the grass blades, providing immediate benefits in cooler conditions.
Tackling Weeds Before Winter Takes Hold
Winter can be a prime time for certain weeds to establish themselves. Getting on top of any existing weed issues now is vital for a healthier lawn come spring. Identifying the specific type of weed you're dealing with is the first step in choosing the most effective treatment.
A broadleaf herbicide is your best bet for common broadleaf weeds like clover, bindii, oxalis, cudweed, and catsear. Consider these effective options:
All Purpose Weed Control: This product comes in a convenient hose-on bottle, making application straightforward.
Amgrow Bin Die: Available as a concentrate, this product needs to be mixed with water and applied using a knapsack or sprayer.
The Power of Pre-Emergents: Stopping Weeds Before They Start
For a proactive approach to weed control, especially against notorious seasonal weeds like Winter Grass, a pre-emergent herbicide is invaluable. These clever products create a protective barrier at the soil surface, preventing weed seeds from germinating and emerging as visible weeds in your lawn.
The key to success with pre-emergents like Oxafert is timing. Aim to apply them in mid to late autumn, as temperatures begin to cool in your area. This ensures the barrier is in place before those stubborn winter weed seeds have a chance to sprout.
By following this comprehensive checklist, you'll set your lawn up for success, ensuring it withstands the winter elements and emerges vibrant and healthy in the spring.
