Damon Mcknight
In Australia, grass growth slows down during the winter season, but it doesn't completely stop unless the soil temperature drops below 14 degrees Celsius. During autumn, the grass growth rate decreases as the weather gets colder and the days get shorter. In preparation for winter, it is recommended to fertilise the lawn during this time to restore grass health. While lawn care may seem less important in winter due to the lacklustre appearance of the turf, proper care during this season can result in a vibrant and healthy lawn.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Grass growth rate in winter | Slowed growth rate, but does not stop |
| Grass growth temperature | Soil temperature of 14°C and above |
| Grass mowing frequency | Once every 3-4 weeks or when grass exceeds 6 cm |
| Grass mowing height | Raise to 6 -7 cm in autumn and winter |
| Lawn fertilisation | Twice a year, in spring and autumn |
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What You'll Learn
Grass growth slows in winter, but doesn't stop
While grass growth slows in winter, it doesn't stop. As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, the grass's growth rate will slow down. This change in growth normally occurs in warm-season grasses at soil temperatures of around 14°C. It is not until the soil temperature consistently rises back above this temperature that your lawn will start to speed up its growth again.
In autumn, the days are still hot, with places like Adelaide and Perth often topping 40°C in early March. However, by late May, the temperature drops, and the mornings become chilly. Autumn is an important time for your lawn as it begins to slow its growth and prepare for winter. It is pivotal to get your mowing right during this season.
As the growth rate slows in winter, you will need to mow your lawn less frequently. Instead of mowing every week, you should mow once every three or four weeks, depending on the type of grass. To prevent damaging the grass, which can result in scalping and browning, it is advisable to raise the mowing height. Repeated scalping weakens the grass and leaves it vulnerable to diseases and weeds.
During the cooler months, your lawn will still need a steady supply of nutrients. However, you should not fertilise your lawn in winter because the grass is not actively growing and won't take up the nutrients. The best time to fertilise your lawn is in spring, as the grass comes out of its winter dormancy and produces new growth. If you fertilise your lawn twice a year, the next best time is in autumn to prepare it for winter.
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Autumn lawn care is pivotal in Australia
Aerate Your Lawn
Aerating your lawn is crucial in the autumn, especially after the intense summer months. Aeration helps to de-compact the soil, allowing oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach the roots more effectively. This process can be done manually with a garden fork or aerating sandal stompers, or you can hire a coring machine or aerator for larger areas. Aerating your lawn will improve its overall health and prepare it for the upcoming winter.
Adjust Your Mowing Routine
As the days get shorter and colder, the grass growth rate slows down. This means you can reduce the frequency of mowing. Instead of a weekly cut, a fortnightly or even monthly mowing schedule may be sufficient. It is important to raise the mowing height to prevent damaging the grass, which can lead to scalping and browning. For warm-season grasses, avoid cutting too close to the ground during the cooler months.
Fertilise Your Lawn
Fertilising your lawn in autumn is essential, especially if you live in the southern parts of Australia, where frost is more common. Applying fertiliser in autumn will give your lawn a boost and prepare it for the winter dormancy period. However, ensure you follow the recommended quantities on the fertiliser pack to avoid over-application, which can burn the roots of the grass. If you have compacted or heavy soil, it is advisable to aerate before fertilising to ensure better absorption of nutrients.
Remove Leaves and Clippings
During autumn, it is important to remove leaves and grass clippings from your lawn. This ensures that your grass receives ample sunlight and air, promoting healthy growth during the cooler months. You can combine mowing and raking by attaching a catcher to your mower to make this task more efficient.
Watering Guidelines
While it is generally not necessary to water your lawn during autumn, it is recommended to water new turf regularly to help it establish itself. For established lawns, watering once or twice a week is usually sufficient during this season.
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Fertilise in spring and/or autumn, not winter
In Australia, the growth rate of grass begins to slow as autumn sets in and the days get shorter and colder. This slowed growth will affect your mowing routine, with the frequency of mowing reduced. While it is a myth that grass stops growing in winter, it does slow down significantly. Therefore, it is not advisable to fertilise your lawn in winter as the grass is not actively growing and will not take up the nutrients.
The best time to fertilise your lawn is in spring, as the grass is coming out of its winter dormancy and will produce lots of new growth as the weather and the soil warms up. If you only fertilise your lawn once a year, this should be the time to do it.
However, if you are willing to fertilise your lawn twice a year, the next best time to do so is in autumn. Autumn fertilisation gives your lawn its last supply of nutrients before it goes into hibernation for winter. This makes the lawn more resistant to diseases and frosty weather. It is especially important to fertilise your lawn in autumn if you live in the southern parts of Australia and experience the occasional frost.
If you are using a granular or pelleted slow-release fertiliser, it is ideal to fertilise your lawn twice a year: once in spring as active growth commences, and then again in autumn to prepare your lawn for winter. On the other hand, if you are using a liquid fertiliser, it should be reapplied every 1-2 months as the nutrients are absorbed by the grass almost immediately after application.
Autumn fertilising should ideally be done using a mineral fertiliser (not organic) high in potassium, such as Paul Munns Emerald Green, which has been specially developed for autumn fertilising. A potassium-rich fertiliser is important when fertilising a lawn in autumn as it makes your lawn more hardy and protects it from frost and diseases.
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Raise mower height in autumn and winter
In Australia, autumn brings a lot of changes, from the intense heat of early March to the morning chill of late May. This change in temperature affects your mowing routine, with the weekly cut being replaced by a fortnightly one. During autumn and winter, it is advisable to remove leaves and clippings from the turf to ensure that the grass gets ample sunlight and air.
As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, the grass growth rate slows down. In late autumn, as the mornings get colder, it is recommended to raise your mower height from 5-8 cm to 10-12 cm. This will allow the grass to grow out, maximising the amount of sun that will hit the blade, allowing the grass to photosynthesise more easily.
In winter, tall grass can get matted and become diseased. However, cutting it too short will expose the lawn roots to damagingly cold temperatures. Therefore, it is important to strike a balance in autumn so that your lawn is ready for winter. Raising the mower height in autumn and winter helps to prevent scalping, which weakens the grass and leaves it vulnerable to diseases and weeds.
The ideal mowing height for cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue is between 2 and 3.5 inches tall. In contrast, warm-season grasses such as Bermudagrass or Zoysiagrass do well with a slightly lower cut of 1.5 to 2 inches in autumn. A good rule of thumb to remember is the “1/3 rule”, which states that you should never remove more than one-third of the grass blade's height in a single mowing session.
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Grass needs nutrients and sunlight in winter
Grass growth slows down in winter, but it still needs nutrients and sunlight to stay healthy. While it is dormant, the grass will not absorb any nutrients from fertiliser, so it is best to wait until spring to fertilise your lawn. However, you can prepare your lawn for winter by fertilising it in autumn. This is especially important if you live in a frost-prone area.
Sunlight is crucial for grass as it enables photosynthesis, which produces the energy and nutrients needed for growth. Grass relies on sunlight to fuel growth and support its overall health. It also helps grass produce chlorophyll, which gives it a vibrant green colour. In winter, when there is less sunlight, grass may lose its rich green shade, but this does not mean it is dying.
To ensure your lawn receives enough sunlight during the winter, clear debris like fallen leaves, which can block sunlight and create shade, hindering the growth of the grass beneath. You can also trim tree branches to allow more light to filter through to the grass.
In addition to sunlight, grass needs nutrients to stay healthy. If your lawn is not getting enough nutrients from the soil, you can apply fertiliser. However, it is important to follow the recommended dosage, as too much fertiliser can burn the roots of the grass, causing it to turn yellow.
By understanding the specific needs of your grass type and providing it with the necessary sunlight and nutrients, you can help your lawn stay healthy and vibrant even during the cooler months.
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Frequently asked questions
Grass does not stop growing in Australia during the winter, but its growth rate does slow down.
Grass stops growing when the soil temperature drops below 14°C.
During the winter, you should mow your lawn once every three or four weeks, or whenever the length of the grass blades exceeds 6 cm.
To care for your lawn during the winter, remove leaves and clippings from the turf to ensure that the grass gets enough sunlight and air. You should also avoid over-watering your lawn, as this can leave the grass vulnerable to fungi.
The best time to fertilise your lawn in Australia is in the spring, when the grass is coming out of its winter dormancy and producing new growth.
