As the temperatures cool, it’s easy to assume your lawn can take a backseat until Spring. However, the steps you take now will impact your lawn’s performance throughout the cooler months ahead. In this blog, we look at what lawn care activities you can do now to get the best results this Winter.
Should I Aerate My Lawn in Autumn?
If your lawn received lots of foot traffic and wear over the last few months, or you have noticed your soil is compacted, look at soil aeration. Aeration is the process of helping create more space in the soil profile to better allow for water, nutrients and air to move throughout.
When soil becomes hard and compacted, your grassroots may become nutrient deficient, have difficulty accessing water, and struggle to grow deeper into the profile. This all affects your lawn’s overall health. Aerating your lawn now in Autumn will allow it to repair itself while it is still actively growing and help the grass be at its healthiest for the cooler months ahead.
Is It Worth Applying a Fertiliser to My Lawn in Autumn?
Did you know that Autumn is arguably one of the most important times to apply a fertiliser to your lawn? Addressing any nutrient deficiencies now will allow the lawn to recover before the cooler weather begins.
We recommend using our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser or Pro Plus Mini Prill for granular fertilisers.
The Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser is packed with both a fast and slow-release granule, providing your lawn with a good upfront boost, while continuing to feed your lawn over the coming weeks for best all-round results.
If you have a shortcut or a highly manicured lawn and need a granule that can make its way down into the profile, we recommend using our Pro Plus Mini Prill Fertiliser. This contains a control-release granule that will constantly provide nutrients to the lawn over 90 days.
If you prefer to use liquid lawn care products, Exceed Liquid Fertiliser will provide your lawn with a quick and upfront boost. Exceed Liquid Fertiliser is now available in a 2L Hose-on Bottle and a 2.5L Concentrate.
Do I Need to Apply Iron to My Lawn in Autumn?
Autumn is an ideal time to apply iron-based product like Iron Guard Plus to your lawn. Iron products are great to use when your grass is either heading into Winter or heading out of Winter, helping with colour enhancement, grass density and increased lateral growth.
Should I Use a Pre-Emergent in Autumn?
Autumn is one of the best times of the year to apply a pre-emergent herbicide like Oxafert or Oxafert Plus to your lawn. Pre-emergents work by targeting weed seedlings during their germination phase. Usually, pesky seasonal Winter weeds like Winter Grass will germinate in mid to late Autumn or when the average soil temperature reaches below 14°.
Therefore, it is best to time your Oxafert application just before the temperature drops, stopping Winter Grass from appearing on your lawn.
Do I Need to Be Mowing My Lawn Regularly in Autumn?
The short answer to this question is yes, but let’s consider why it is important. Although growth will start to slow over the coming weeks, this doesn’t mean you will need to stop mowing completely. Mowing regularly enough so that only one-third of the leaf is removed will help ensure your lawn stays thick and healthy heading into the cooler months.
For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out our other lawn care blogs here.
