Lawn Ground Cover

Did your lawn cop a beating this summer? Whether it was backyard cricket or getting scorched in the heat, it may be looking a little worse for wear #thestruggleisreal . . . But don't despair, now is the time to restore 'lawn and order' and get it looking as good as new! Plus, by giving your lawn a bit of love now, it will be better prepared for the chilly months ahead and ready to go by spring!

1. Go for a mow: Does your lawn feel spongy underfoot? If so, you can lower the mower to help remove the thatch to encourage new growth.  Otherwise, for most lawns, keep the mower high and catch the clippings.

2. Feed me: The temperatures are cooler but the soil is still warm, so it's a good time to feed your lawn. Use a fast-acting liquid fertiliser that's higher in potassium like Yates BuffaloPRO Lawn Fertiliser. Potassium promotes improved cell health and structure, giving the lawn a better chance to survive the colder months.

3. Weed control: Get on top of the weeds now to help prevent the grief later! For most lawns, apply Yates Double Action Weed 'n' Feed Liquid Hose On or for buffalo lawns, use Yates BuffaloPRO Weed 'n' Feed.  These products will help control most broadleaf weeds in your lawn, including bindii, clover, dandelions and thistles. Apply again in late winter to help keep weeds at bay.

4. Sow new life: If there are bare patches in your lawn, autumn is perfect for fixing them. Look for a lawn seed that is the same or similar to your lawn type – except if you have buffalo, then you will need to lay turf or use plugs. However, if you're not fussed and just looking to green an area, consider Munns Arid Sun & Shade Lawn Seed. It's a mix of various cool season grasses, which are fast growing and can tolerate up to 85% shade! Ensure you prepare the area well and keep the soil moist at all times.

Milder temperatures and any rainfall and humidity during autumn can promote the development and growth of lawn diseases. Lawn diseases include brown patch, winter fusarium, dollar spot and anthracnose. Lawn diseases can be hard to diagnose as signs can be similar to that of other lawn problems such as damage from insect pests like curl grubs and armyworm.

Common lawn disease symptoms include areas of small discoloured, brown, dead or dying patches in the lawn. Lawn diseases can spread and also reoccur year after year, so it's important to get them under control to keep your lawn healthy and looking fantastic.

Here's how to help reduce the incidence of lawn diseases:

• Mow regularly to prevent a buildup of thatch and remove clippings from the lawn.
• Water only in the mornings, to allow the lawn to dry off during the day.
• Use a soil wetting agent like Yates Waterwise™ Soil Wetter to improve water penetration into the soil, so water is less likely to sit on the soil surface.
• Aerate or core your lawn to improve drainage.
• For the control of Lawn diseases (Dollar spot, Brown patch, Fusarium and Helminthosporium only), try Yates Mancozeb Plus Garden Fungicide & Miticide.