Winter Lawn Care Tips (Queensland Edition): How to Keep Your Turf Green & Healthy

What do we want? A vibrant, resilient lawn all winter long.

How do we get it? Control weeds, maintain colour, support slower growth, and look after soil health so your lawn is ready to take off again in spring.

We’re going to share all of our Queensland lawn care tips, but first, do you need to lay your lawn?

PSA: You can still lay turf in winter

There’s a common misconception that winter isn’t a good time to lay turf.

In South East Queensland, though, that’s not the case.

You can lay turf year-round here in our neck of the woods, and winter actually has a few upsides:

• Lower risk of pallet burn

• Less intense watering requirements compared to summer

• More stable conditions for establishment

You still need to water properly, but moisture doesn’t disappear anywhere near as fast as it does in summer. So if you want a lawn, no need to twiddle your thumbs til Spring comes along.

SHOP TURF

So, now we’ve all got a lawn, let’s ensure winter doesn’t get the better of it.

1) Getting a grip on weeds

Unfortunately, weeds can still show up in winter, especially as your lawn’s growth slows down and the growth habit isn’t as tight.  

If you don’t have weeds yet, now's the chance to apply a pre-emergent like Lawn Solutions OxaFert for prevention.

If weeds are already there, get on top of the issue. Broadleaf weeds, bindii, and clover can be controlled with Estate Herbicide or All Purpose Weed Control.

The key to weeds is to act early, and ideally use a preventive product like Lawn Solutions OxaFert.

2) Keeping the colour

If we’re talking about a warm-season grass (which is most of Queensland), some colour loss in winter is completely normal.

While it’s inevitable, it doesn’t mean you have to grin and bear it. An easy way to help with colour retention is using ColourGuard PLUS. It’s a liquid fertiliser and a natural grass pigment that instantly restores your lawn’s colour.

3) Moving onto mowing

Winter doesn’t mean taking a break, but you certainly won’t be getting your mower out of the shed as often.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Raise your mowing height slightly.

• Let the grass grow a bit longer.

• Reduce mowing frequency (often every few weeks, depending on growth).

By allowing the leaf to stay longer, the lawn can absorb more sunlight and maintain better colour and health through winter.

Just don’t leave it too long between cuts, or you risk scalping when you bring it back down.

4) A winter watering warning

Over winter, your lawn won’t need much water at all.

The best approach is to turn off any automatic irrigation timers and water on an as-needed basis. You’ll know it needs a drink if the leaves start to curl. If not, leave it alone.

Too much water in winter can lead to:

• Soil compaction

• Slower recovery

• Unnecessary stress in the root zone

5) Combating compaction

Like every season of the year, compaction can become a problem over winter, especially in high-traffic areas or after heavy rain.

Try to:

• Avoid traffic on wet lawns wherever possible

• Aerate problem areas when needed

• Be careful with repeated wear in the same spots

This helps air and nutrients reach the root zone so your lawn can keep breathing properly through the cooler months.

For aeration, you can whip out the sandals and go for a walk, or do it by hand.  

Our top winter care products

Here’s our top picks for keeping weeds out, colour in, and your lawn looking as beautiful as possible through winter:

1. Lawn Solutions OxaFert

Take control of your lawn's health with this powerful preventative herbicide and fertiliser. It effectively targets and eliminates common annual grasses and broadleaf weeds, including Summergrass, Crowsfoot, Wintergrass, and Creeping Oxalis, while nourishing your turf.

2. Iron Guard Plus

This turfgrass-enhancing bio-stimulant enhances your lawn's natural defences and boosts its visual appeal. Formulated with iron and amino acids, it promotes vibrant colour retention, strengthens turf structure, and encourages lateral growth, ensuring a seamless transition into winter dormancy.

3. ColourGuard PLUS

A liquid fertiliser and a natural grass pigment that instantly restores your lawn's colour, lasting up to 3 months.

4. Katek Super Feed

This unique blend improves and balances the soil. Super Feed provides a quick response and stimulates soil microbial activity, which helps break down organic matter and increase nutrient availability within the soil, improving your lawn's winter health.

5. Katek Neptune

An all-year-round kelp concentrate that improves nutrient uptake and promotes strong root development.

Need a hand?

Our team is always here to help. Whether you need advice, products, or just a bit of direction, we’ve got you covered.

You can contact us online, give the team a call on 1300 781 175, email us at sales@goturf.com.au or visit our GoTurf Brendale store at Unit 57/109 Leitchs Rd, Brendale, QLD, 4500.

With a bit of care, a bit of timing, and the right approach to weeds, mowing, and water will keep your turf healthy and steady until spring kicks back in.

Don’t let winter get the better of your lawn.