Autumn is the time for lawn recovery and rejuvenation after the heat of summer. It’s the time to take a good look at the lawn to see what damage has occurred. As the weather cools and days get shorter, repair and maintenance are key activities. Following these few simple tips can help lawns recover after the summer heat ready for lush green growth, autumn entertaining and fun with the kids.

Early in autumn many parts of Australia are still experiencing heat and high temperatures so lawns may become dry. Check soil moisture levels and continue regular watering if soils are dry and rain is scarce.

Leaf fall from surrounding deciduous trees will occur through autumn and into winter. Rake the leaves from lawns regularly then compost them for future garden use as mulch or as a soil additive (leaf mould).

green grass with autumn leaves background. nature

Maintenance

Thatch is a layer of dead organic matter that settles in and around the base of your grass. When it gets thick it prevents water and fertiliser from soaking into the soil to reach the grass roots. To remove thatch, closely mow the lawn then rake vigorously. You can also hire specialist de-thatching equipment.

Aerate your lawn to allow air, water and nutrients to filter down to the grass roots. In most cases a garden fork will do the job or get your hands on lawn aeration equipment for big areas. After aeration, top dress with a thin layer of a highly organic compost mixture such as Seasol Lawn Top Dress Mix to replenish nutrients and to keep the holes created by the aerator open. If the lawn is uneven, use extra top dressing compost to help level out uneven areas.

Autumn is also the time for repair. This may involve sowing seed or planting runners to cover bare batches. Follow up repairs by applying Seasol Lawn + Soil Booster to the soil. Dig it in slightly to improve soil health as well as water and nutrient uptake. After resowing or planting runners, apply Seasol Lawn & Turf Starter to the lawn to aid seed germination and the rooting in of lawn runners. It will also help reduce transplant shock and aid lawn establishment.

Irrigation

Autumn can be a tricky season for watering as early autumn may still have hot days and should be treated like summer, while the cooler months will see a decrease in demand for extra water. The best approach is to check soil moisture levels and water as needed. A long deep watering once or twice a week, produces stronger lawn growth than shorter but more frequent watering.

As autumn progresses it can bring on windy days, which may dry out the soil. Once cooler conditions arrive they allow the lawn to recover from summer’s heat. Apply Seasol to your lawn every month throughout autumn to help give the lawn resilience for the winter ahead.

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59452772 – picture of young man seeding grass in the backyard

Feeding

In autumn is as important as the spring feed especially if lawn grasses are growing in response to milder conditions and autumn rain. A later autumn feed also helps cool season grass growth. If your lawn care regime extends to a feed twice a year, feed in spring and autumn.

Use granular PowerFeed LawnFeed and/or Seasol for Lush Green Lawns to help to rejuvenate the lawn after the stresses of summer and to make it stronger and better able to cope with the cold and frost of winter.

Mowing

Growth in warm season lawn varieties start to slow as the temperature decrease and day length is shorter. Allow the lawn to put on a little growth by raising the mower blades so it isn’t cut short. Leaving lawns with a longer leaf blade helps photosynthesis to occur so the lawn can store energy for winter. It also reduces weed germination. After mowing apply Seasol hose-on to strength leaf blades to reduce stress from heat and drought. Apply it early morning so the grass has time to dry before the onsite of a cool night. For more details check out our video How to Care for Lawns – Mowing & maintenance.