• Fertilise now. The use of a complete Lawn Fertiliser with a balanced NPK is ideal at this time of year. Don’t use high Nitrogen content fertilisers leading into winter unless your lawn looks like it is starving and needs “greening up”.
• Raise the mowing height. As the sun is now getting lower in the sky and not directly overhead a higher percentage of lawns are now in full or part shade. Raising the mowing height increase the leaf area and helps your grass to survive shady conditions.
• Sharpen or replace mower blades. Blunt blades shatter rather than cut the leaf. The disease enters through damaged leaf blades. Autumn and Winter are the disease months for turf.

• Mossy areas start to show up in cooler months. This is usually a sign of poor drainage and compacted soils. Aerate these areas with a large garden fork to break up the hard surface and allow water to penetrate through the soil profile.
• “Spread the wear”. Lawns deteriorate faster in winter when subjected to wear. Periodically block consistently used patches and tracks made by people and pets by placing an obstacle such as a pot plant or wire hoop in the path to divert traffic.

With a little TLC your lawn will look good through the winter and tolerate whatever Melbourne’s winter throws at it. For further seasonal lawn tips go to www.ancoturf.com.au