Well the weather is changing and Winter is on its way, so it’s time to prepare.

Plants and turf can be affected by the cold, wind and rain. Plants tend to go dormant and growth slows due to the drop in temperature in the air as well as the ground.

Luckily there are some simple things that we can do to help keep your garden healthy.

Reduce water in the garden through the Autumn months as plants need less water when they are in this period, and turn off reticulation as directed by the water restrictions through the Winter months, but keep an eye out for any dry spots under trees etc or pot plants that are under cover.
Protect plants that may be affected by the cold, wind or heavy rain by staking and tying plants or trees in the garden. Moving pots to a sheltered area and removing the water dish from under the pot to allow drainage. Watch for stress due to the change in weather and position.
Remove any Autumn/Winter weeds by hand,cultivation or weed treatment as the seeds from previous weeds will start to germinate and some weeds such as winter grass prefer the cooler months to germinate and seed.
Fertilize the garden and turf areas before Winter to give them the best chance to survive the cooler conditions. Also add a wetting agent at the beginning of Winter and again in the last month of Winter so as to get great results from the rain soaking it in.
Winter can be a great time to prune back plants like citrus because they get less stressed when they go dormant or to allow for new growth in spring.
Although we will cut the lawn less through out winter, now is a good time to mow it lower to help reduce thatching and promote new growth. But be careful not to scalp it, especially if it looks stressed. If the turf is very spongy (thatch) you will need to get it verti-mowed.
Try adding some winter colour, like Dianella with its many varieties and colours or even Pansies for instant colour.
Keep an eye open for disease like Black Spot or Rust Fungus and treat with lime sulphur. And pests such as aphids or scale and treat with Confidore.
Prune roses in July to avoid the worst of the winter cold, wind and rain and give the delicate new shoots the best chance. Immediately after pruning soak the rose with Lime sulphur and remove all waste to prevent pest and disease in new growth.
Top up mulch at the end of Winter to hold in all the moisture from the rains and be ready for the warmer months.

Call Perth Garden Works now for your Free garden appraisal and get ready for Winter the easy way.

Ryan 0403 248 594

Mowing

Fortunately our main turf species generally cope well with regular mowing. However, if the root system is under stress for any reason (e.g. too dry, too wet, too hot, too cold, or damaged by disease, insects or recent herbicide treatment), the safest option for lawn health is to raise the height of cut and to mow more frequently to compensate.

The best cut height varies with the turf species grown. Leaving the grass longer helps retain soil moisture and reduces susceptibility to disease. However, as the grass density tends to thin when allowed to grow taller, this can also favour weeds establishing.

Under shorter cutting heights, the grass will thicken and choke some weeds, but this could also lead to increased thatch build-up in some grasses.

Shorter mowing heights give a more manicured look to the lawn, but can also lead to some scalping if not mown frequently. Provided the turf is not water stressed, lower mowing heights can be used during the warmer months when the growth rate is higher.

Mowing frequency

Warm season turf grows most actively above 25°C, while growth ceases below about 10°C at night. Other factors such as the species used, the age of the lawn, evaporation rates, rainfall and watering, the soil’s physical and chemical status, fertilizer application, weeds, insects and disease can all affect how often your lawn needs mowing.

As a rough guide, winter green couch should be mowed fortnightly in summer and every three to four weeks in winter, blue couch can be mown every Fortnight in spring and summer and every 4weeks in autumn and winter. The coarser, more popular buffalo grass cultivars grow well in summer, particularly when fertilized. They require frequent mowing to minimize scalping and maintain good turf quality – typically every 2-3 weeks under good growing conditions, but during winter, buffalo grass can be left for at least 4-6 weeks between mowing.

Catching or mulching?

The decision to catch or to mulch grass clippings is an individual one. For lawns with a thatch or disease problem, it is desirable to catch and remove clippings. However, for an establishing or drought tolerant lawn, mulching will help retain soil moisture, return nutrients to the soil and build up soil organic matter. Because there is no catcher to be emptied, mulch mowing speeds up the operation. Wet grass will quickly increase the weight of the catcher.

Catching the clippings has the advantage of providing finely divided raw material for composting or for mulch over garden beds and around trees. However, it can also create a disposal problem. Mulching, particularly when damp or wet, can leave lawn clumps that will need to be spread out.

Some tips

Whether you catch or mulch, mowing dry grass will always be easier and more effective than mowing wet grass.

Ensure irrigation is maintained on a regular basis to prevent dry spots.

Pick up sticks, stones and debris before mowing to prevent injuries and mower damage from projectiles.

Call Ryan Now to have your FREE turf assesment

04003248594

Get ready for Winter

Lawn Mowing Tips

Mowing