Preparing the Lawn for Winter

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Pitchfork in a lawn.

Preparing the Lawn for Winter

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This is an important time of year for your lawn. Give it some TLC now and it will stay green and healthy through the winter. Don suggested that you don’t leave it any longer – prepare your lawn for winter this weekend (the last weekend of April).

Soil compaction

In areas where people constantly walk across the lawn (such as the route to the clothesline), informal paths or ‘goat tracks’ will appear. With continuous traffic the soil in these worn areas becomes compacted, the lawn dies back and weeds flourish without competition from the lawn. You could try to divert traffic away from the area, but the best solution to this problem is to go with the flow and lay down some stepping stones or paving.

If you have a lawn that is not healthy and green and is full of weeds, the whole lawn may need treating for soil compaction. Test for compaction by thrusting a garden fork into the ground. If the fork won’t go in at least half way down the tines, the lawn is compacted. To fix it, use a garden fork, or hire a power aerator or a coring machine. Lawn corers or aerators cost from $70 a day to hire.

Weeds

In areas that are compacted, neglected or have been suffering from a long dry spell, lawns will be full of weeds. At this time of year you might notice the ferny leaves of young bindii plants, and winter grass will be starting to grow. Winter grass is not a serious problem, and can be a useful addition to the diet of caged birds. If you want to walk on your lawn with bare feet bindii should be controlled.
To get rid of bindii use a selective herbicide such as Yates Bindii Weed Killer, or Garden King BinDie. Avoid products containing dicamba, which can affect shrubs and trees. Follow the directions on the container.

Pest problems

Armyworm (Spodoptera mauritia) is found in the warmer months and can be encountered in most areas of Australia. Populations should be decreasing now, particularly in coastal NSW where it has been extremely active this summer. These caterpillars feed on lawns in large groups then when the food supply is exhausted they move off together, a bit like an army on the march. Particularly affected are kikuyu and couch lawns. Less affected are buffalo and Queensland blue couch. Armyworm can be controlled with a fast-acting insecticide such Baythroid Lawn Grub & Garden Insecticide (which has low toxicity to birds). Follow the instructions on the container.

Lime

If your lawn is weedy and not performing although it is regularly fertilised, it could be that the soil is too acidic. Test the soil pH with a pH kit (or take a soil sample to your local nursery for testing). In the pH range of 5.5-7.5 the lawn will be able to absorb all the nutrients it needs for good growth. However, the soil is too acidic if it has a pH of 5.5 or less. Add lime to your lawn to raise the soil pH. A quick, easy way is to use Yates Hose-On Liquid Lime ($17.50 for a 2-litre pack).

Fertilise

An application of fertiliser now will green your lawn up and keep it looking healthy over winter. Complete lawn foods contain all the elements needed for strong growth. Slow release lawn foods such as Scott’s Lawn Builder are also good, because they feed the lawn over many months. If your lawn has almost stopped growing use a liquid feed, such as Nitrosol on a hose-end sprayer. Don’t be tempted to use sulphate of ammonia, which greens up the lawn but can lead to poor root development and growth.

Spread the fertiliser evenly (for best results use a fertiliser spreader on large areas) and follow up with a good, deep watering.

Patch

Now is a good time to repair bare patches in your lawn. Either take runners from the edge of the lawn and plant them in the bare spots, or sow seed. Before planting or sowing, scuff up the bare spot, adding extra soil if necessary. If you live in one of the cooler zones of Australia, autumn is the best time to sow seed and put in new lawns.

Call in the experts

If you don’t want to do all the work yourself, you can always call in a lawn care expert. (look under ‘Lawn Cutting & Maintenance’ in your Yellow Pages).

Contact information

Greg Dolan
Emerald Property Services Pty Ltd
Seven Hills, NSW
Phone: (02) 9624 8144