Winter Tips

Winter Lawn Care with ProLawnsAu

Winter can be a tricky season for lawns. Warm-season grasses slow down, some even go dormant, and your patch is at its most vulnerable. But with the right care, you can keep it healthy, green where possible, and ready to bounce back strong when the warmer months return.

Fertilising in Winter

If you have done your autumn prep properly, your lawn should already be sitting on a solid foundation. But winter is not a time to forget about it altogether. A slow, steady feed is key. The lawn does not need a big nitrogen hit, but it will benefit from balanced nutrition to hold colour and strength. A fertiliser like Turf Tukka is ideal here, with the right mix of NPK to keep things ticking along without stressing the grass. Always water it in well so it gets down to the roots where it matters.

Mowing

Winter is not the time to scalp your lawn. Keep the mower set higher so the grass has more leaf to photosynthesise with, which helps it stay healthy through the cooler months. Longer grass also shades the soil, protecting it from weeds sneaking in. For shaded areas, mow even less often to avoid stressing the turf.

Weeds

Winter weeds can be brutal if you let them get established. Broadleaf weeds and winter grass love the cold and will happily move in while your lawn is slowing down. Stay on the front foot, pull them out as soon as they appear or use a targeted herbicide if things get out of hand. Remember the old saying, one year’s seeding equals seven years weeding.

Watering

Most lawns do not need much water in winter. Overwatering is one of the easiest ways to damage your turf during the cold months, especially if you have clay soil that holds onto moisture. Only water if your lawn is really drying out and even then, go easy. Less is more.

Moss

If you are seeing moss creep in, it usually means the area is staying too damp, too shaded, or both. Trim back overhanging branches to let in more light, and if drainage is the issue, aerate or topdress to improve the soil structure. Moss is a sign the conditions are not right, not just a surface problem.

Wear and Tear

Lawns do not repair themselves quickly in winter. Heavy traffic on a semi-dormant lawn just means more bare patches to deal with in spring. Do your best to rest the lawn during the colder months, keep the footy and backyard cricket to the sunny patches.

Cool-Season Lawns

If you are one of the few with cool-season grasses like rye or fescue, winter is actually your time to shine. These varieties thrive in cooler weather, so keep them fed and mown as usual. For everyone else with buffalo, couch, kikuyu, or zoysia, the goal is maintenance and protection until growth kicks back in.