Autumn Lawn Care in South East Queensland: 8 Steps to a Lush Winter Lawn

Autumn lawn care in South East Queensland is all about prepping your lawn for winter while still taking advantage of the warm conditions. Unlike southern states where lawns go dormant, ours slow down—but they keep growing. That means now’s the perfect time to feed, weed, and prepare.

Below are the 8 key lawn care steps you should follow this autumn to make sure your lawn stays healthy, strong, and looking schmick right through winter.

1. Fertilise for a Stronger Winter Lawn

• Use a slow-release fertiliser to strengthen the roots before the colder months.
• Avoid high-nitrogen summer fertilisers; opt for one with potassium to boost winter hardiness.

Why it matters: A slow-release fertiliser with potassium supports strong root growth and improves your lawn’s cold tolerance. This is a crucial part of any autumn fertiliser routine in QLD.

2. Keep Watering—But Adjust It

• As the temps drop, your lawn will need less water.
• Reduce frequency but water deeper to encourage stronger root growth.

Tip: Watering deeply encourages your turf to develop deeper roots, helping it stay resilient through dry or cold conditions. This adjustment is key in autumn lawn watering schedules.

3. Mowing: Raise It Gradually

• Start gradually raising your mower height, as there is less sun available in the cooler months, the extra leaf ensures your lawn gets plenty of energy to stay healthy.
• Keep mowing regularly to avoid thatch buildup, but don’t scalp it before winter.

4. Stay on Top of Weeds

• The cooler months can see the return of Winter grass or Poa Annua, by the time you see this pesky weed its seeded and can be too late. This is where Pre-emergent Herbicide earns its keep by keeping them in check before they even get a chance to sprout.
• Bindii, clover, and winter grass love this time of year—don’t let them take over!

Important: Use a pre-emergent herbicide before weeds sprout. If you're in Brisbane, Ipswich, or the Gold Coast, you’ll know how quickly bindii and Poa Annua can get out of control.

5. Aerate If Needed

• If your lawn is compacted (looking dull, water pooling, not absorbing well), aerating will help it breathe before winter.
• This allows water and nutrients to reach the roots more effectively.

Bonus Tip: This is especially useful in high-traffic areas or after summer storms. Aeration helps prepare your lawn to absorb autumn rain and nutrients.

6. Check Soil pH & Fix Any Issues

• SEQ soils can get acidic over time, affecting lawn health. A soil test kit will tell you if you need lime or gypsum.
• Aim for a pH of 6–7 for most turf varieties.

7. Repair Bare Patches Before It’s Too Late

• If you’ve got thin or worn-out areas, patch them up now while there’s still warmth for new growth.
• Use turf plugs, topdressing, or a seaweed or kelp liquid fertiliser can really help strengthen your lawn through the winter.

Lawn repair in autumn: Autumn is ideal for patching spots while soil temps are still warm enough to support new root growth. Don’t leave it too late!

8. Keep an Eye on Lawn Pests

• Autumn is a tricky period, when lawn grubs can still be active, but the Acelepryn you applied back in Spring can be starting to wear off. If you see birds pecking at your lawn, it’s time to check!
• Treat early before they cause serious damage.

Heads up: Lawn grubs don’t take autumn off! If you’re seeing birds having a feast on your lawn, it's time to act. Treat before you lose turf.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're in Brisbane, Ipswich, or the Gold Coast, autumn is your golden opportunity to give your lawn the TLC it needs before winter arrives!