Essential Autumn Lawncare Tips
Caring for your lawn in autumn is crucial to ensure it remains healthy and strong through the colder months. Everything you do between now and May will help strengthen your lawn, recover from the stresses of summer, giving it the best chance to remain healthy through the cold, wet winter and wake up strong in the spring.
Here are some tips for your autumn lawncare routine.
Aerate Your Lawn
The summer heat and extra foot traffic (let’s face it, we all spend more time on the lawn in warmer weather!) can cause your lawn to become dry and compacted. If you haven’t aerated your lawn in the last 12 months, now’s the perfect time to do it!
Coring is the process of aerating the lawn by removing plugs of soil and grass, helping to alleviate compaction. This also allows for better water penetration, nutrient spread, and oxygen absorption into the soil due to having direct contact with the root system, which helps create stronger root growth.
Signs your lawn needs coring:
- Dry, hardened soil
- The lawn dehydrates quickly
- Compacted, soggy soil
- Moderate thatch layer
Coring is particularly beneficial for lawns with clay soil or those that struggle with water absorption. Lawns that receive regular coring are easier to mow, less dense, and can even save up to 50% on water costs due to quicker absorption.
Core aeration can be done using a manual aerator fork, but for larger areas or if you’d prefer a professional touch, feel free to contact us for a free quote here. Machines are used to extract plugs evenly across the lawn, spaced about 2 to 3 inches apart.
Fertilise Your Lawn
A fertilised lawn in autumn has a much better chance of enduring the cooler months. As temperatures drop, your lawn’s growth slows down, and if it’s nutrient-poor, it will be less equipped to handle the winter colder conditions. This leaves it more susceptible to winter weeds, compaction, shade-related issues, and frost damage. Now is the perfect time to feed your lawn, preparing it for the cold ahead!
Fertilising your lawn in autumn provides it with the essential nutrients needed to encourage growth and extend its colouring heading into the cooler periods.
For an ideal fertiliser suited to Australian conditions, consider Akers Organic-Based Granular Fertiliser. Developed in consultation with certified agronomist Ryan Sheridan (M.Sc.Ag), this unique blend uses organic coatings, bio-stimulants, and all the essential nutrients your lawn in autumn needs. The best part? It’s suitable for all types of lawns. No wonder it is our best seller…
For a fully organic option, Akers Certified Organic Fertiliser is made from composted seaweed, fish, humic acid, and manure. Both a soil and plant conditioner, it contains the perfect blend of environmentally-friendly ingredients to ensure versatility of application.
Watering
Don’t pack away the hoses just yet! While the weather cools, there’s always the chance of a late burst of hot weather. Keep an eye on your lawn in autumn and the forecast to ensure it stays properly hydrated.
In summary: Water only when necessary. Use a moisture meter, dig into the soil manually, or set up a catch cup to monitor how much water is being delivered by rain or sprinklers.
Pre-Emergents
As autumn sets in, it’s important to start applying pre-emergents to your lawn to prepare for the weeds that winter often brings. Pre-emergents don’t affect already-established weeds but work to prevent seasonal weed seeds from germinating in the soil, reducing the likelihood of new weeds sprouting through your lawn in autumn.
We recommend applying a pre-emergent every 10 weeks, depending on the product used (check the product label for specific instructions).
Important: Pre-emergents can prevent lawn seeds from germinating, so avoid reseeding treated areas for up to four months, and don’t apply to newly seeded areas.
Recommended Pre-Emergents:
Echelon – A combination herbicide, insecticide, and fertiliser. It provides pre-emergent control for summer grass, crowsfoot grass, winter grass, and creeping oxalis, as well as control for African black beetle, Argentinian scarab, and billbug in turf.
With just one pass you will have season long prevention for a range of weeds and insects, while strengthening your lawn in the process.
Order it online here.
OxaFert – is a combination pre-emergent and fertiliser that lasts in the soil for up to 12 weeks. It is an easy to apply granule in a convenient 3kg bag that is perfect for use on Kikuyu, Buffalo or Tiftuf Bermuda lawns. Learn more about it here.
Spartan Herbicide is a liquid pre-emergent that is safe for use on all lawn types and is effective in the soil for up to 6 months. A liquid treatment is a great option for pet owners as it is safe once watered in and fully dry. Order it online here.
Freehand Herbicide is a granule pre-emergent that is safe on Kikuyu, Buffalo and Couch lawns, and even in the garden. This is a great option if you have applied a fertiliser recently as it only contains pre-emergent. Order it online here.
Pendi Pro is a granular combination of pre-emergent and fertiliser that is safe for Kikuyu and Couch lawns. It comes in a large 20kg bag and one application provides 6 – 8 weeks of control and feeding. Order it today here.
OxaPro is a granular combination of pre-emergent and fertiliser that is safe for Kikuyu and Buffalo lawns. It comes in a large 20kg bag and one application provides up to 12 weeks of control and feeding. Learn more about it here.
Act NOW! You’ll regret it if you don’t… Trust us.
Managing Shade
As we head into the cooler months, it’s important to ensure your lawn in autumn is receiving enough sunlight. Regularly prune trees, bushes, and other foliage to improve sunlight access. If you have leaves falling onto your lawn, rake them up regularly to ensure they don’t block sunlight from reaching the grass.
Regular Mowing
You’ll find that mowing frequency decreases as the weather cools, but don’t neglect your lawn in autumn entirely. As temperatures drop, raise the height on your mower to help your lawn absorb sunlight and nutrients more effectively. Longer grass blades will encourage a thicker canopy, which helps block out weeds and retain colour during winter.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us – we’ll be happy to help!
It’s time to get your autumn lawncare routine on!