Your winter lawn is a blank canvas and what you do now will determine how it looks come spring. Use these simple steps from the lawncare experts at All Year Round Turf to prepare your lawn for the growth season.
Rake Your Lawn
Winter lawns will develop weeds because invasive plants take the opportunity to grow when dormant grass is at its most vulnerable. Thatch also builds up over winter, which will prevent new growth when the weather warms.
Raking helps to remove the thatch and clear off any loose debris blocking the sun from reaching the grass. Make sure you are clearing the thatch by digging the rake in deeply as you work.
Aerate Your Lawn
Australian winters are getting wetter, which means the ground can quickly get compacted, especially in high traffic areas. Poke a pitchfork into the soil to aerate the lawn so the grass roots can get better established in the soil. A pitchfork is a lot of work for large yards, so you might want to invest in an aerating roller or aerating shoes with spikes on the bottom to reduce your labour.
Feed Your Grass
A good feeding of a quality fertiliser will give your grass a boost as the days start to warm and we get further into the growing season. Choose a fertiliser that is suitable for your grass type. Liquid fertilisers work the fastest but require more applications than slow-release fertilisers, which are also more cost-effective.
Watering a Winter Lawn
Winter lawns won’t need as much watering as they do during the summer. Check the moisture levels by digging your finger into the ground. Don’t water it if it feels damp. Keep your watering sessions short so the soil has time to absorb the moisture. Focus on areas that could do with more moisture, such as dry, brown patches.
Check the Mower
Your lawn mower may have been as dormant as the grass during winter, so the weeks leading up to spring are a great time to service it and make sure it’s ready for the growing season. Sharpen the blades, change the oil, and put in a new spark plug. If you aren’t familiar with small engines or sharpening tools, a lawn mower service centre will get your lawn mower running smoothly.
Weeding
As we mentioned, winter weeds love to take advantage of dormant grass because it presents less competition. Check your lawn for weeds regularly during winter and stay on top of them so they don’t take over the grass. Pre-emergent herbicides can stop weeds like crab grass before they sprout, while a post-emergent herbicide is good for perennials like dandelions that have already become established.
