Top 5 Lawn To-Dos this Month in Perth

Name: Baileys Fertilisers
Address: Perth, Western Australia
Telephone: (08) 9439 1688

Author

Baileys Fertiliser

Published

18 April 2023

Lawns

1. Give it a good pre-winter feed

Autumn fertilising prepares your lawn for the winter months. It encourages prolonged growth, thick cover, extends colour and helps prevent weeds from taking hold as growth slows. This application is the most important for the year, so use a good quality granular fertiliser such as Baileys 3.1.1. Plus or try New Turfect Energy.

2. Remove thatch build up

If your lawn is spongy under foot, it has a thatch build up, and now's the time to remove it . Thatch is a mass of dead stems, leaves and clippings accumulating above the soil surface. Thatch prevents water and fertiliser from evenly reaching the lawns root system, can lead to patchy growth and be the starting point for fungal disease. To remove, scalp with a lawnmower by slowly cutting down to the lowest setting over two or three passes. Be careful not to go too low on varieties such as soft leaf buffalo which rely on above ground runners to recover. You can also bring in a vertimower to do the job.

3. Give it some TLC with a top quality top-dress

Perth's sandy soils benefit from a top dress at least annually. Not only will a good quality top dress improve the soil profile; it will boost root growth, repair and even patchy growth. Use a blend of fine, mature compost and loam, such as that found in Baileys newly formulated Lawn Reviver. Spread thinly and evenly over the grass and massage in using the back of a rake or sand spreader. Do this straight after scalping or dethatching for maximum benefit.

4. Boost colour with liquid fertiliser

When soil temperatures drop in late autumn and throughout winter, soil microbial action slows, as does your lawns growth. When this happens, foliar feeding with a liquid fertiliser is more effective at maintaining and boosting colour. This is because nutrients in liquids are applied to and absorbed through the turf leaf instead of roots. If you haven't applied a liquid before, try Baileys new Turfect Green and see the colour difference within days.

5. Start a new one!

If you've been thinking of replacing a dead part of lawn or laying a new section, now is a great time to do so from roll on or seed. Soil improvement is pivotal and will show when the warmer weather returns. Before the lawn is down, lay the foundation for the best lawn in the street by correcting soil and drainage issues.

We recommend investing in a few bags of Baileys Clay & Compost if you have sandy soils to permanently improve soil structure, water and nutrient holding. Baileys Turfect Lawn Starter then adds a combination of organic and slow-release fertiliser, biology, root enhancers and wetting agent. Turfect Starter is designed to create the optimal soil environment for fast, deep root growth and quick lawn establishment.