Winter lawns

[Dogwatcher]

my lawn is going all right at the moment.
It usually goes dormant over winter but the recent rain gave it a bit of a lift so that it looks as if it should have a mow.
What's best for it: Give it a mow, or let it be?
Also, at this time of year, what else should I be doing for my lawn?

[Q.]

You want to encourage root growth over the winter, get them running deeper and more extensively to withstand heat stress. Use fertilisers that are high in P & K, low in N.

Also, don't cut your lawn too low, cut it at a reasonable height and you will encourage more root growth.

[Dogwatcher]

And should I mow in winter?

[Q.]

You know what, it might be too late for both of my suggestions. If you were going to mow, do it now, cut it high. Add small amount of high P&K fertiliser afterwards.

[Dogwatcher]

Cheers. Will mow tomorrow.
Fertilise next weekend.

Ta.

Next question:

I have another patch of grass, which has patches but is mostly dirt.
What's the best way to encourage growth over winter?
Should I chuck some seed down in that area, or wait until spring?
The area was grass but died off and we are now looking to return it...

[Q.]

It's the most common form of displacement theory at work - grass dies off, invasive species grows in its place. Probably no use seeding now, but keep the patches weed free until the last winter frost and then throw some seed down and keep the water up.

[Dogwatcher]

will do - ta

[Q.]

No worries. I'm going to bed, it's about time I had an early Saturday night

[White Line Fever]

mine dies in winter.
Not enough sun

[Dogwatcher]

We have more sun than the Gold Coast here, so mine's reasonably ok.

However, a drought tends to kill it off!

[Q.]

One other thing I thought of as I was drifting of to a slumber - spread organic matter over the bare patches now, it will help keep weeds down for the moment and improve the soil composition when you're ready for seeding.

[AFLflyer]

my lawn struggles in winter too, weeds are the problem.

What is the best to do about this?

all sorts of weeds seem to come through this time of year.

[Q.]

Pull the weeds out before they spread if you can be arsed. Cover bare patches in compost to somewhat suppress weed growth.

[Dogwatcher]

What can you buy from the hardware or garden store to do this Quichey?

The job will be done next Saturday

[Q.]

They sell bags of compost at most garden centres, invest in some. Be generous with the application of it to bare patches.

[Alaska]

DW get a trailer load from your local Sand and Metal dealer it is good stuff!

[Mr Beefy]

There is a link to a lawn care yearly planner from brunnings (Mrs Beefy works there) but you could replace the brand with any other brand as they are all pretty much the same

http://www.brunnings.com.au/lawncare.html#