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Autumn Weed Control

As the cooler months approach, managing weed control in autumn becomes crucial to maintaining a healthy lawn. Autumn is ideal for tackling persistent weeds as your lawn prepares for winter dormancy. By controlling weeds now, you prevent them from taking over while your grass is less active, ensuring your lawn stays strong and healthy through winter and is ready to thrive come spring.

In the video below, you’ll find expert advice on effective weed control strategies specific to autumn in Melbourne, helping you keep your lawn weed-free and vibrant.

Why Autumn Weed Control Is Important

Autumn is the perfect time to tackle broad-leaf weeds and winter weeds as your lawn prepares for winter dormancy. During this season, weeds are still actively growing, making them easier to target before the colder months set in. Controlling weeds in autumn prevents them from taking over while your grass is less active, ensuring a healthier lawn when spring arrives.

Weed control during this season also allows your lawn to store energy and focus on strong root development, essential for maintaining a resilient lawn.

Here are key reasons why autumn is the ideal time for weed control:

Identifying Common Autumn Weeds

Certain weeds become more active as autumn arrives and can take over your lawn if not controlled. Here are the most common weeds you should be aware of and target during autumn:

Creeping oxalis  

This weed spreads quickly through its creeping stems and can cover large lawn areas. It thrives in weak lawns, competing with grass plants for nutrients and water, and can be difficult to remove once established.

Winter grass 

A common weed during the cooler months, winter grass grows in clumps and produces grass seed rapidly, spreading across your lawn. It tends to thrive in shaded or damp areas, and its shallow roots make it easy to pull, but it’s best to control it early to prevent patches of dead grass.

Capeweed  

Known for its bright yellow flowers, capeweed can quickly dominate a lawn if left unchecked. This weed competes aggressively with your grass, removing nutrients and making your lawn appear patchy.

Broadleaf weeds  

Broadleaf weeds, which include various weeds like dandelions and clovers, tend to be invasive and spread fast. They can weaken your lawn by taking up space, water, and essential nutrients meant for your grass.

Targeting these weeds in autumn ensures they don’t spread or compete with your grass for vital nutrients, helping to maintain a healthier lawn through winter and beyond.

Autumn Weed Control Methods

It’s important to follow a strategic approach to weed control to keep your lawn healthy and weed-free during autumn. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to effectively manage weeds this season:

Step 1: Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicide

Begin your autumn weed control by applying a selective pre-emergent herbicide in early autumn. This will prevent weed seeds, especially winter grass and other common weeds, from germinating and spreading throughout your lawn.  

Step 2: Spot Treat Problem Areas

Use a post-emergent weed killer for more established weeds, such as broadleaf weeds and patches of winter grass. Spot-treat these areas carefully to avoid harming the surrounding grass and focus on more difficult-to-control weeds.

Step 3: Aerate the Lawn

Use a garden fork or lawn aerator to aerate your lawn. This improves soil structure and allows air, water, and nutrients to reach the grassroots. Aeration also helps promote stronger root development, which aids in preventing weeds from taking hold.

Step 4: Remove Dead Weeds and Debris

After treating weeds, use a rake to clear away dead weeds and fallen leaves. This keeps your lawn clean and prevents debris from smothering the grass or causing fungal diseases.

Following these steps will ensure your lawn remains healthy and ready to tackle the cooler months ahead, with fewer weeds to contend with when spring arrives.

Pair Weed Control with Autumn Lawn Care

Weed control is just one part of a successful autumn lawn care routine. Pairing it with other essential tasks helps ensure your lawn stays healthy and resilient throughout the cooler months. Below is a comparison table highlighting how weed control can be combined with other autumn lawn care tasks to achieve the best results:

When to Weed and Feed Your Lawn in Autumn

Timing is everything when maintaining a healthy lawn in autumn. Following this timeline will help you apply weed control and lawn feed at the right moments to get the best results throughout the season.

Early Autumn

• Apply pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weed seeds, like winter grass, from germinating.
• Begin fertilising your lawn with an autumn lawn feed to give your grass the essential nutrients it needs as growth slows down.

Mid-Autumn

• Spot treat problem weeds such as broadleaf weeds and any emerging winter grass with a post-emergent herbicide.
• Continue applying fertiliser to strengthen the grassroots, ensuring your lawn has the nutrients it needs to survive the cooler months.

Late Autumn

• Apply a slow-release granular fertiliser to prepare your lawn for the winter dormancy phase, ensuring that it has enough stored energy to survive through winter.
• Aerate the lawn to improve soil structure and promote deeper root growth. Top dress any bare patches to encourage regrowth and even out your lawn.

Common Autumn Weed Control Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, homeowners often make these mistakes when dealing with autumn weed control. Avoid these pitfalls to keep your lawn healthy and weed-free:

Waiting Too Long

Delaying weed control allows weeds to establish themselves and take over. The earlier in autumn you begin applying products, the better the results.

Using the Wrong Herbicide

It’s important to identify the specific types of weeds in your lawn, such as broadleaf or winter grass, and choose a herbicide that effectively targets them. Applying the wrong one can waste time and worsen the problem.

Neglecting Other Lawn Care Tasks

Skipping essential tasks like fertilising or aerating weakens your lawn, making it more vulnerable to weed growth. Pair weed control with fertilising and aeration to ensure your lawn remains strong and resilient.

Avoiding these common mistakes will prevent weeds from spreading and keep your lawn in great shape during autumn.

Prepare Your Lawn with Effective Autumn Weed Control

Applying autumn weed control is essential for maintaining a healthy, weed-free lawn as the cooler months set in. By tackling weeds early, you prevent them from spreading during the winter dormancy period, ensuring your lawn stays strong and ready to flourish come spring. Pairing weed control with other autumn lawn care tasks like fertilising and aeration will give your grass the best chance to thrive year-round. Find high-quality lawn care products and expert advice at Lilydale Instant Lawn today.