Lawn irrigation winter guide

As it gets close to winter, it’s important to understand how the change in weather can affect your lawn. Increased rain will throw off your water schedule and the arrival of morning frost can discolour your grass by limiting your lawns ability to photosynthesise. Without adapting, your lawn progress can go backwards in the colder months. Luckily there’s a few things you can do to see your lawn through the winter.

Fertilizing your grass in Autumn is a great way to prepare your lawn for winter. This allows extra nutrients to be stored in the roots. Not only helping to maintain the lawn through winter but giving it a boost going into spring.

If you have an Irrigation controller that has a ‘winter mode’ you can switch it to this setting. This will drop the water usage by a set percentage, usually reducing to between 60% and 80% of its usual output. If your irrigation controller doesn’t have a winter setting you can instead just switch it off.

If you use a Tap Timer, it is recommended to either reduce the watering time or turn it off completely.

In really cold climates you should remove the battery and make sure there is no residual water in the unit.

If your irrigation runs on a bore water system, it is beneficial to run your sprinkler once a month for one minute on each station to keep it in working order.

Avoid putting excess moisture into the soil, as this will encourage compaction. Damaging your lawn.

If you are super keen to keep as much colour as you can over the winter, you can give your lawn a very light hand watering just before the sun comes up in the morning, this will help to remove any frost that may have built up.

You can also aerate your lawn, as this will help avoid compaction and encourage root growth.

Another option is to let your lawn grow out. By having extra surface area, your lawn will be able to take advantage of photosynthesis, which will help keep it healthy while reducing the chances of weeds sprouting.

Follow these tips and your lawn will cruise through winter without missing a beat. If you’re still unsure about how to get the best out of your irrigation system this winter come see the team at any of our stores.

Newton – 28-30 Papagni Avenure

Gawler – 48 Tiver Road

Burton – 526 Waterloo Corner Road