It's not just winter that causes lawns to look depressed...

As we approach the peak of winter you’re probably noticing your lawn isn’t looking as lush as it did in warmer months. It’s browner. It’s patchier. It’s just not inviting any more. (If you want to know why, read our blog "Why Winter is a Problem for Lawns - and What You Can Do About It".)

But the truth is this: it’s not just winter that causes lawns to look depressed - and usually that means that your lawn isn’t in its peak condition. Just like taking care of any living thing, your lawn is probably asking you for help. Let's get to know your lawn and what it could be asking you for using some common lawn problems.

My lawn has brown and bald patches in some areas – but not in others!

Lawn looking patchy?

1. Check to see if there's a water supply (like a tap or overflow pipe) nearby. If the best parts of your lawn are closer to the water supply, your lawn's asking you for more water. If the best parts are away from the water supply, you might want to tighten that tap or re-direct the water flow away from your grass.
   
   
2. Check its competition. If your lawn is looking its best near your vege patch or flower bed, your lawn may be pilfering nutrients intended for your veges and flowers - try giving your lawn more fertiliser. If near your vege patch or flower bed is where your lawn performs the worst, it may be your veges or flowers that are the nutrient thieves! Try giving your veges/flowers and your lawn more fertiliser.

Feed Me; Test Me!

Test how hungry your lawn is. When we fertilise, we tend to use the amount instructed on our chosen brand of fertiliser (we recommend our turf farm quality blend fertiliser: find it here). However lawn is a living thing and one size does not always fit all, so try experimenting with your lawn. Select a small area of your lawn that experiences similar conditions to the rest (shade, water, etc), and apply twice as much fertiliser just to that patch. As always, soak your lawn with water right after fertilising, then once a week for the next five weeks.

After five weeks, check how that patch of lawn has performed against the rest. If it's better, give all your lawn that little extra fertiliser next time around.

No Where to Grow!

Turf needs 10cm or more of quality soil underneath it to grow at its peak condition. If yours is struggling at its roots, try applying some top dressing. If you’re not sure, use a patch test to see how your lawn performs with some added top soil.

Hungry Little Caterpillars!

Well, not just caterpillars but all sorts of lawn grubs and disease can cause permanent irreversible damage to your lawn. Treat immediately – don’t wait for spring (get this now: Lawn Lovers Grub Guard!).

Tell us some of your lawn troubles – submit a comment at the bottom of this blog - you can even upload a photo of it!

And don't forget our winter-package offer - not long now until Spring, are you ready?!