Lawn Care Tips for Late Summer

Did you know performing lawn care in the fall can lead to a healthier, more vibrant turf next spring? Cooling temperatures, increased rainfall and reduced competition from weeds make late summer the ideal time to revive a damaged or ailing lawn.

- Routine Lawn Care: Late Summer

If you slowed or stopped basic lawn care because the grass went dormant during the hottest part of the summer, it’s time to reestablish these routines:

Mowing – As the lawn greens up and begins to grow again, remove approximately 1/3 of the length of the grass blades each week. Regular mowing encourages the formation of side shoots or tillering. This produces a thicker, dense lawn which is more resistant to weeds.

Fertilizing – Applying fertilizer when it’s hot can severely damage lawns. Once cool fall temperatures arrive, feed the lawn with a high nitrogen fertilizer to promote growth and assist the turf in preparing for winter dormancy. 

Weed control – Late summer and fall are the ideal time to eliminate broadleaf weeds like dandelions. As these weeds prepare for winter, they are storing energy in their roots. Herbicides applied in the fall are more easily transported to the roots where these chemicals are most effective at killing the weed.  

- The One Third Rule of Grass

A common question we get is, “how often should I mow my lawn?” The answer to this is dependent on your turf variety and local climate. For example, if you are in a warmer climate like Queensland with a fast-growing grass like couch, you will need to mow more frequently than someone in a cooler climate like Tasmania with a slower-growing grass like buffalo.

To answer the question, mow your lawn frequently enough so that you remove no more than one-third of the leaf with each pass. Cutting this way will limit the amount of stress caused to the plant and help avoid scalping.