Winter is now here, and there are a few things you can do to ensure your grass stays at its healthiest throughout the cooler months. In this blog, we go through our winter lawn care dos and don’ts guide, helping you better care for your lawn this season.
Winter Lawn Care Dos
So, let’s start off with what you should be doing to your lawn this winter…
Should I raise my lawns mowing height over winter?
Over the cooler months, it is recommended to raise your lawn mowers height up by a notch or two. With more green leaf present, the grass will have a better chance at absorbing nutrients and sunlight. A longer leaf will also help the turf retain colour better throughout the cooler months.
Another added benefit of increasing your height of cut over winter is that the grass can block out weeds better.
Is winter an ideal time to get my lawn mower serviced?
While we are on the topic of mowing, as your lawns growth rate will slow down over winter, now is also an ideal time to get your mower serviced. By getting your mower serviced now, your lawn mower will be ready for spring.
Should I remove lawn weeds in winter?
When it comes to weeds growing in your lawn, there is no need to wait to treat them; the best time to act is now. By treating weeds as they appear, you will hopefully stop them before they have a chance to go to seed and spread further. If you are unsure of what type of weed you have growing in your lawn, please check out our Weed Guide for help with lawn weed identification and treatment.
If you want to stay ahead of the game when it comes to weeds growing in your lawn, why not look at using a pre-emergent herbicide like Oxafert or Spartan? These herbicides work by stopping weed seedlings during germination, before they have a chance to start growing in your lawn. Best applied prior to cooler temperatures in autumn and the beginning of spring.
Should I apply a lawn pigment in winter?
Lawn pigment products like ColourGuard Plus are a great way to help give your lawn a green up throughout the cooler months, especially if your region experiences frosts. ColourGuard Plus works by absorbing into the leaf of the grass, and once it has dried, the pigment is locked in. ColourGuard Plus is an organic product, safe for use on all lawn types and safe for use around pets and kids. If you would like to know more information on how ColourGuard Plus can green up your lawn, click here.
Winter Lawn Care Don’ts
Now we have what you should be doing for your lawn sorted, let’s take a look at lawn care activities that should be avoided during winter.
Can I renovate my lawn in winter?
Lawn renovations can differ between lawns and their individual needs but will often consist of dethatching and top dressing. As these lawn care activities will require your lawn to recover once they are completed, it is best only to do them while your lawn is growing at its fastest throughout the warmer months of the year.
In winter, your grass’s growth rate will slow down considerably compared to summer. If you do these activities in winter, your lawn will struggle to repair itself. We recommend October long weekend as a good time to start lawn renovations in South Australia.
Should I use a granular fertiliser on my lawn in winter?
Granular fertilisers work by releasing nutrients to plant roots as the granule dissolves into the soil when it comes into contact with water.
As the roots of the grass absorb these nutrients, ensuring that your grass is still actively growing is important. If the plant has slowed down in growth, it won’t be able to absorb these nutrients effectively.
If you need to give your lawn a boost in nutrients in winter, we recommend using a liquid fertiliser like Exceed. These styles of fertilisers are absorbed by the leaf of the grass, providing a much quicker response.
How often should I water my lawn in winter?
Throughout winter, rainfall should cover the vast majority of your lawns water requirements. Generally, your lawn won’t need additional water. However, if you haven’t been experiencing much rainfall in your region and you have noticed that your lawn’s leaves have curled up on themselves, or if the leaves are looking dry, you may need to give your lawn some water.
For more winter lawn care tips, visit our blog here.
