As the winter months approach, your lawn requires thoughtful preparation for two main goals: withstand stress brought by the cold weather and emerge healthy when spring arrives. With our warm season grasses like Buffalo, Couch, or Zoysia, we’ve put together these winter lawn care tips to help you safeguard your healthy lawn against the cold and wet weather, as well as the pesky winter weeds that come with it.

Take a look at this seasonal checklist on keeping your turf resilient and vibrant year-round. With tailored advice for frost management and repairing bare patches before winter takes hold, these advice are perfect for you and your friends who might feel overwhelmed by Australia’s diverse, ever-changing climates. Let’s start preparing!

1. Mowing Practices

Australia’s vast climate zones mean lawn care strategies must consider local nuance. In subtropical regions like Brisbane, warm season lawns may remain semi-active in winter, requiring occasional trims. If you’re coming from temperate zones like Melbourne, note that growth slows sharply, so best to opt for a lower mowing height to prevent matting or having a buildup of dead grass or organic matter.

Key Steps:

Gradual Height Reduction: Lower your mower blades incrementally over autumn. For warm season grasses, aim for 25–40mm. For cool-season grasses, stay within the 30–50mm range. Avoid scalping, or mowing too short, as extra length shields turf roots from frost.
Timing Matters: Schedule the final mow just before the first frost. Remove clippings to prevent mould and debris buildup.
Sharp Blades Are Essential: Dull blades tear grass, inviting lawn disease. So sharpen and clean lean your mower to avoid spreading weeds or pathogens.

In arid zones (e.g., Adelaide), reduce mowing frequency but maintain slightly longer grass to combat colour loss from dry winter winds.

2. Drainage and Compaction

Heavy rains and foot traffic encourage compaction which suffocates roots and creates puddles. Excess moisture can lead to lawn disease and dead grass, this makes this season a tricky time for lawns.

What you can do:

Aerate Thoroughly: Use a coring aerator or garden fork to regularly aerate the ground. Create holes 7–10cm deep and focus on shaded areas and high-traffic zones. This improves oxygen flow and water penetration to reach the root zone.
Topdress Problem Areas: Especially useful for repairing bare patches before winter, apply a sandy compost mix (3:1 ratio) to level dips and improve soil structure.
Address Drainage: For chronic puddling, install a French drain or regrade slopes. In clay soils, gypsum can help soften compacted layers.

Pro Tip: After aerating, sprinkle a lawn fertiliser that’s low in nitrogen but rich in phosphorus and potassium to strengthen roots.

3. Nourishing the Soil and Roots

A crucial time for your lawn, autumn is the last window to feed it before winter dormancy. Providing the right nutrients now will ensure your turf can survive colder months and rebound quickly in spring.

Soil Care Essentials:

Test Soil pH: Use a DIY kit (available at nurseries) to check if your soil has the ideal pH of 6-7. Adjust accordingly with lime (for acidic soil) or sulfur (alkaline). To learn more about soil testing, we’ve also blogged about it here.
Liquid vs. Granular: A liquid fertiliser provides quick nutrients if applied before soil temperatures drop below 10°C. Granular options, on the other hand, feed up to three months which makes them ideal for early autumn.

4. Weeds and Diseases

Winter weeds like broadleaf weeds, winter grass, clover, and particularly bindii, thrive in cool, damp conditions. Left unchecked, they compete for nutrients and light, weakening your healthy lawn.

Weed Control Strategy:

Pre-Emergent Herbicide: Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in late autumn to stop annual weed seeds from sprouting. Use organic corn gluten meal if you want to avoid using chemicals.
Spot-Treat Invaders: Depending on the type of weed, either use a selective herbicide or dig them out manually. Bindii, for example, should be removed before its prickly seeds form in spring.
Fungal Defence: Rake leaves and debris promptly—shaded, damp turf is prone to snow mould and fusarium, a soil borne fungus. Avoid watering in the evening to give your grass time to dry overnight.

5. Bare Patches Before Winter

Bare patches left unrepaired before winter also invite weeds and erosion. Exposed soil not only leaves your lawn vulnerable to nutrient loss from heavy rains, it also provides the perfect opportunity for pesky weeds. Here’s how to fix them:

Loosen Soil: Scratch the patch with a rake to expose fresh soil.
Add Amendments: Mix in compost or a starter fertiliser to boost germination.
Sow or Sod: For small areas, scatter grass seed (that match your lawn type) or for instant results, lay turf.
Water Gently: Keep moist for 2–3 weeks until established.

6. Frost and Traffic

Frost damage turns grass blades brittle and brown, but if you make sure they have healthy roots, they usually recover. To minimise harm:

Avoid Traffic: Steer clear of frosty or soggy lawns. Use stepping stones for pathways.
Water Smartly: Did you know that moist soil retains heat better than dry? That’s why it helps to lightly water the lawn before predicted frost.
Frost Cloths: Drape breathable fabric over sensitive warm season grasses during cold snaps.

Recovery Tip: If frost blackens grass, resist raking until spring. The dead blades protect crowns from further cold.

7. Regional Adjustments

Each region demands tailored strategies. That’s why it’s crucial to match your approach with your area if you want to welcome lush and lively growth come spring.

In subtropical zones like Queensland and Northern NSW, lawn care focuses on balancing moisture and weed control since winter can be mild and manageable.

Moving south to temperate zones including Victoria and South Australia, winter brings more challenges and increased rainfall. Folks here should prioritise aeration to avoid compaction brought by heavy rains. To prevent invasive winter grass from taking hold, apply pre-emergent herbicide.

Finally, if you’re in the arid regions such as Western Australia and the Northern Territory, the winter threat shifts to drying winds and wide temperature fluctuations. Consider using temporary shade cloth to buffer against harsh winds while maintaining deep but infrequent watering to encourage strong root development. This helps conserve moisture and reduces stress during periods of colour loss, ensuring they’re better prepared to bounce back when warmer months return.

Final Checklist

As a quick recap, we’ve covered the following checklist to help you prepare your lawn and yourself for the cold months ahead.

✅ Mow at adjusted height for your region.
✅ Aerate and topdress to prevent excess moisture.
✅ Test soil pH and apply lawn fertiliser.
✅ Treat with pre-emergent herbicide for winter weeds.
✅ Repair bare patches and protect against frost damage.
✅ Clear debris to help grass absorb sunlight.
✅ Avoid traffic on frosty or waterlogged turf.
✅ Adjust to your region’s demands.

If it’s your first time caring for a lawn in winter, you might want to get more information on potential issues you might face and how they look. Here’s a short video on winter lawn issues to help prepare you with what to expect.

By following these lawn care tips, you’ll ensure your turf survives winter’s challenges and returns lush and resilient. A little effort now means less work repairing bare patches or battling pesky winter weeds later. Remember, every adjustment you make today sets the stage for a thriving garden tomorrow.

Here’s to a healthy lawn that weathers the season beautifully!