Your lawn doesn’t behave in the same way all year round. You must consider the shifting changes in soil and climate depending on your location. Read on for some simple
garden care tricks to help your lawn flourish in every season.
1. Quality Fertiliser
You need to use a quality fertiliser during spring, summer and autumn to help your lawn grow. The average lawn only requires one ten minute application of fertiliser to promote growth for three months. A slow release fertiliser will not flood brushland, surrounding waterways or your soil with nutrient runoff due to the concentrated formula. Your lawn can handle dry conditions much better when it is maintained and well fed. If the restrictions for your suburb allow sprinkler systems and your lawn is bigger than a standard courtyard, consider discontinuing hand watering.
2. Use A Quality Lawn Sprinkler
You can set an adjustable pattern for watering with a timer to ensure you do not forget to turn your water off. A wetting agent will improve the moisture penetration of your lawn if it is difficult to re-wet. The majority of Australian lawn grasses are warm season variations that do not perform well during the winter. Your lawn is most likely a little ravaged by the spring with thinning and browning common. These conditions will make your bare patches appear even worse. The good news is you can bring your lawn back to life.
3. Spring Lawn Tips
Begin your lawn maintenance with a vigorous raking to remove twigs, fallen leaves and strip out dead grass and enable the new shoots to receive more light. Spring is an important time to provide your lawn with a slow and balanced release feed. A fertiliser provides your lawn with the nutrients necessary to reinvigorate your grass. If you only intend to fertilise once, it must be in the spring. Take care with your watering because the nights are cool and your soil has not yet warmed. A deep watering will last for a long time. Burrow your finger into the soil to test for dampness. Do not water if your lawn is still damp. To ensure proper lawn care, have your mower serviced. The blades should be changed or sharpened if blunt. If you used a catcher during the winter, begin mulch mowing in the spring.
Weeds will come to life with your lawn when the weather gets warmer. A good quality fertiliser will help control the weeds while adding density to your lawn. Extremely sparse areas can easily become weed infested. If the weeds are already obvious, use a lawn builder with weed killer. Make certain your lawn is suitable for the products you use. Numerous feed products are unsuitable for wide blade grasses including Buffalo. You can determine suitability by reading the label. The most challenging time for your lawn is the spring due to the extreme dryness, wind and heat. You may not be able to control the weather, but proper lawn maintenance will help your lawn survive.
4. Summer Lawn Tips
You should apply a slow release fertiliser during early summer. Do not fertilise during the day when the temperature soars as your lawn will dry out too quickly. Water during the early morning while it is cool to help your lawn absorb as much water as possible. Watering too late in the day can cause fungal issues due to the humidity overnight. Lawn growth decreases during dry and hot weather due to stress. Also be sure to raise your mower cutting height – this will reduce exposure to the soil/grass roots and decrease evaporation. You can reduce burned grass tips by mowing late or early in the day. Cats-ear and dandelion weeds may be present in the summer. Read the label prior to using a weeding product. Some should not be used during the summer because of the heat. Always check that the product is suitable for your grass. If you need help, call a professional for lawn care advice.
5. Autumn Lawn Tips
If you only fertilise twice each year, the second application should be during autumn. Using a lawn builder will make your lawn stronger, greener and help your grass resist the damage from frost and extreme cold. The wind can dry your lawn just as effectively as the heat. A soil wetter will make the most of watering and rain to improve water penetration. As lawn growth slows, you will not need to mow as often. Routinely remove leaves to ensure you lawn receives as much sunlight as possible. You can raiser your mower cutting height to the limit and fit the catcher. This will operate like a vacuum cleaner. The only weed that can be problematic during autumn are bindii prickles. Take action now to prevent this weed taking over your lawn by the time summer rolls around. Your lawn should hibernate during the winter, drastically decreasing lawn care.
6. Winter Lawn Tips
You should not fertilise your lawn during the winter. This is especially true if you already fertilised three times since the previous spring. There is no reason to feed your lawn due to slowed growth – your lawn will also not absorb the nutrients. Your garden and lawn can both become extremely dry during the winter. You can discern the level of moisture by reaching deeply into the thatch. Do not water if the soil feels moist. The best time to water is during the morning as watering during the afternoon prior to a cold night can cause the water to freeze and damage your lawn. Do not water excessively because a wet lawn can rot when it’s cold. In most areas, you should only need to mow your lawn two or three times during the winter.
Use catching as opposed to mulching during winter – any clippings remaining on your lawn can cause fungal issues. Keep overhead branches trimmed back because they can restrict the light. Make certain you remove all fallen leaves from your lawn. The majority of weeds are dormant during the winter but you need to watch out for clovers, thistles and broadleaf weeds. It is too late to deal with bindii. As always, make certain the product you use is suitable for your lawn. If you start to feel overwhelmed, call a professional lawn care service provider.
