As featured in SA Gardens Autumn Issue, 2021
Picture this; it’s a scorcher day, the BBQ is on, the Slip N Slide is out, and you and your mates are enjoying the long summer days with the kids. Does this sound familiar?
These moments will fill you with happy memories, but while you’ve been out having fun, your lawn has been silently suffering. Increased traffic, heat stress from continuous dry periods, and opportunistic weeds can add up to a lawn that maybe isn’t looking so flash coming into autumn.
If your lawn is desperately in need of some first aid, now is the time to treat these problems. There is still a valuable chunk of the growing season left and plenty of time for your lawn to recover before winter arrives.
Lawn Patient 1 has Sore Spots
Overall, your lawn could be looking fantastic and just while you are giving yourself a pat on the back, you notice a dead patch. These patches can often occur during summer due to excessive compaction in the area. Maybe the kids’ footie goal was there or it’s the main path to the BBQ. Either way, this increased foot traffic gradually hardens the ground below and makes it difficult for your lawn to send out new runners for repair.
Aerating these areas with aerating sandals or a pitchfork will allow for oxygen, nutrients, and water to penetrate the soil properly and encourage re-growth into the area.
Lawn Patient 2 has dehydration
Long, hot and dry summer days can really take a toll on your lawn and it’s not uncommon for loss of colour and dry spots to show up as a result. Poor soil, lack of water and poor drainage can all contribute to dry and crusty areas of your lawn. If you think your lawn looks a bit lack-lustre, now is a good time to apply a wetting agent, such as Lawn Rescue, over your entire lawn and then give the problematic patches a good long soak.
This will improve water penetration into the soil and ensure that moisture is getting deep into the roots where it’s needed. The nutrients lost through heat stress can be replenished with an application of a slow-release granular fertiliser, giving your lawn a small continuous dose of essential nutrients for up to 12 weeks.
Lawn Patient 3 has Un-invited guests
Pesky summer weeds can often show up to the party without an invite. Your first instinct might be to grab the chemicals, but the real trick to keeping out bothersome weeds is to maintain a healthy lawn through regular maintenance and health checks. A healthy lawn should be able to choke out weeds without intervention. If weeds are troubling you and your lawn, hand-pull them or choose a selective herbicide that is suitable for your specific lawn variety.
Prevent other weeds from appearing by applying a pre-emergent herbicide such as Oxafert. Forming a weed-blasting barrier at soil level, Oxafert inhibits the germination of weed seedlings, so they don’t even get the opportunity to appear!Autumn is the perfect time to prepare your lawn for the Winter months ahead. The care you take now can seriously impact the performance of your lawn through the colder months and help it bounce back into Spring too. Lawn care really is a year-round endeavour, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Focus on the basics of regular mowing, fertilising and watering, and your lawn will reward you! If you ever need a helping hand to diagnose a problem, it’s best to consult a specialist.
Autumn is the perfect time to prepare your lawn for the Winter months ahead. The care you take now can seriously impact the performance of your lawn through the colder months and help it bounce back into Spring too. Lawn care really is a year-round endeavour, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Focus on the basics of regular mowing, fertilising and watering, and your lawn will reward you! If you ever need a helping hand to diagnose a problem, it’s best to consult a specialist.
These recommended lawn care products and more are available delivery to your door, click and collect from our depot in Adelaide or collection on farm.
We have a trained and passionate team that are ready to help you achieve a lawn you will love. To find out more about all things lawn, give us a call!
