While most people think that they must install a new lawn in spring or summer, autumn can often provide better conditions for laying new turf. With cooling air temperatures but warm soil, conditions are primed for turf to establish. In this blog, we look at why you should install a lawn in autumn. For more information on the installation process, you can check out our blog on how to install a new lawn.
Skip to: Why lay a new lawn in Autumn? What if temperatures have dropped? What turf variety should I lay? What’s next?
Why Lay a New Lawn in Autumn?
- Warm soil temperatures which encourage root growth, but cooler air temperatures that reduce heat stress on the grass.
- Less irrigation is required in autumn due to the temperature being cooler than in summer and spring.
- You allow the turf to establish before winter dormancy, ensuring a fast recovery and strong growth once spring arrives.
By laying your new lawn in autumn you can greatly reduce your water usage. As air temperatures are lower than in spring and summer, and rainfall is often far greater, you can significantly reduce the amount of watering the lawn requires. In some colder areas this can mean watering half as often as you would during spring and summer.
The autumn weather also provides ideal conditions for grass to establish. Warm soil temperatures allow the roots of the grass to develop before the cold of winter arrives and the grass becomes dormant, but cooler air temperatures reduce the stress on the grass. As temperatures begin to decline through the season, the risk of your lawn suffering heat stress and having its establishment stunted decreases.
What if Temperatures Have Dropped?
In many areas of Australia, towards the end of autumn temperatures can begin to drop rapidly. Though this may lead to some hesitancy regarding laying new turf, this is nothing to worry about. Laying turf once the weather is cooler and the grass is in dormancy means that the lawn won’t root down properly until the weather begins to warm again in spring. This doesn’t mean the grass is dead, simply that it is waiting until temperatures rise to properly establish itself. Keep traffic and mowing to a minimum and the lawn will be fine once spring arrives. You can check out our blog on installing a new lawn in winter for more information.
What Turf Variety Should I Lay?
There are many factors that affect which turf type will suit you best. Your climate, budget, sunlight, and the amount of wear the lawn receives are just a few.
If you have a lawn that receives direct sunlight throughout the whole day, you can take your pick of almost any grass variety. However, if your lawn is shaded during the day and only receives a few hours of direct sunlight, your options are restricted. Sir Walter DNA Certified, will be the best option for you as it is an industry leader in shade tolerance, requiring as little as 3-4 hours of direct sunlight a day. We also have our beautiful zoysia grasses Zoysia Australis and Sir Grange Zoysia, both of which have gorgeous soft leaves and a beautiful green colour which gives a lawn a lovely aesthetic. Alternatively, if you are looking for a hearty grass that is drought resistant and can stand up to the wear and tear of pets and kids, take a look at our fast-repairing TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda. TifTuf is the only grass to be SmartDrop Certified globally for its high drought tolerance and minimal water requirements. This, in combination with the cooler temperatures and higher rainfall of the autumn months, means you can significantly reduce the amount of water required for the establishment of your lawn.
What Next?
Once you have decided on a turf type, the next step will be contacting your local Lawn Solutions turf supplier. All our turf suppliers are AusGAP certified, guaranteeing that you will always get turf of the highest quality. This certification requires constant monitoring and assessment of the grass, ensuring it is free of weeds, pests, and diseases.
Don’t wait, install your lawn this autumn and have the lawn of your dreams ready for spring.
Find your local Lawn Solutions turf provider here.
