A common question that is frequently asked when people are looking to lay lawn in the cooler months of the year.
The answer highly depends on your location and climate. Depending on your location, the lawn may take a little bit longer to establish than normal, but that is OK!
If you are located in a frost prone area, you are the exception and it would be wise to delay laying your lawn until spring time.
If you are located in a developed area it may take a couple of extra weeks to establish than normal. However, there are a couple of things that can be done to aid with the process, such as: applying a starter fertiliser on the soil prior to laying, top-dressing your lawn once it is laid and ensuring that there is minimal traffic on the lawn as much as possible, especially in shady areas.
Laying lawn in cooler weather is generally for aesthetic purposes, as the lawn will remain dormant until spring time and typically will not establish fully until then. Any damage that occurs whilst it is establishing will not repair itself until spring time.
How can you tell when your lawn is fully established?
This can be tested by lifting up the flap of the roll carefully. If it is not lifting up, then the lawns roots have started to grow and it is ready for its first light mow. Once your lawn is established, and had its first mow, it is highly recommended that a fertiliser is applied. This will help strengthen the root system and general vigour.
If the flap lifts up, then it is not quite ready yet.
Lawn will take up to a full twelve months to fully establish and develop a strong root system. Drought tolerance comes with time and training your lawn to seek a deeper water source, you may need to nurture your lawn through its first summer.
Light mow: A light mow is lifting up your mower blades by a couple of notches, removing only the tips of the lawn leaves. This is vital for newly establishing lawn, as a low mow will damage it severely.
Top-dressing: Top dressing is the process of spreading sandy loam soil over the edges of your lawn so that just so that the lawn leaves are still visible. This aids in retaining moisture in the root system of the lawn. If it is applied to a newly laid lawn, it will also weight down the edges effectively so that they do not lift up and fray, resulting in the lawn drying out.
