Winter Lawn Care Guide: Maintain Healthy Grass in Cooler Months

If you’re like most Aussie homeowners with Buffalo, Couch or Kikuyu grass, you’ve probably noticed your winter lawn loses a bit of colour and slows right down during the colder months. That’s totally normal. These warm-season grasses enter a dormant or semi-dormant phase, reducing their growth and photosynthesis as the soil temperature drops below around 14°C.

You might also see:

• Paler green or yellow patches (especially with couch)

• Slower growth, even after mowing or feeding

• Increased weed activity, particularly broadleaf and wintergrass

So how do you keep your winter lawn healthy and prepped for spring? It comes down to adjusting your lawn care routine to match the season.

1. Raise the Mower Height

You don’t need to mow often in winter — but when you do, raise the height a notch or two. Keeping the leaf blade a little longer:

• Helps it capture more sunlight for photosynthesis

• Reduces stress during colder temperatures

• Insulates the soil and root zone

For couch and kikuyu, aim for 25–35mm, and for buffalo, 40mm or more is a safe bet.

2. Reduce Mowing Frequency

Winter lawns may only need a mow every 3–4 weeks, sometimes even less. Mowing too often or too short in cold weather can scalp the lawn and make it harder for it to recover.

Tip: Always mow on dry days, and avoid mowing after a frost.

3. Water Less, But Deeper

With cooler temps and less evaporation, your lawn won’t need as much water.

• Water only when the soil feels dry

• Early mornings are best to reduce fungal risk

• Deep watering 1–2 times a week is better than daily sprinkles

If it’s raining regularly, you might not need to water at all. But don’t forget — drought stress can still happen in winter if the topsoil dries out from wind or low rainfall.

4. Tackle Winter Weeds Early

Your winter lawn will become prone to broadleaf weeds like:

• Bindii

• Clover

• Cat’s Ear

• Cudweed

• Creeping Oxalis

• Winter Grass (Poa Annua)

These thrive in slower-growing lawns, especially if the turf has thinned out.

Recommended product:

Bow and Arrow Herbicide – safe for all grass types.

Effective for knocking out most winter broadleaf weeds in one hit.

For Winter Grass (Poa Annua):

Odessa Herbicide – great for post-emergent winter grass control

Spartan Pre-Emergent – ideal if applied earlier in the season to prevent wintergrass germination

5. Use a Winter Fertiliser (Low Nitrogen)

A light fertiliser application in winter can help maintain colour and root health — but skip the high-nitrogen mixes. Nitrogen pushes top growth, which the plant can’t support in cold soil.

Look for fertilisers that are:

• Liquid fertilisers

• Higher in potassium (K) to support root strength and stress tolerance

• Helps Strengthen and protect the leaf

Great options:

Pure Balance - All rounder that will help strengthen the plant

Pure Seaweed+ - Root stimulant

Pure iron+ and Pure Colour - Great for a colour boost and protects leaf from winter weather

Apply any higher nitrogen products at a lower rate in June or July if your lawn has lost colour or looks tired.

6. Minimise Foot Traffic

When grass is dormant, it’s more prone to damage. 

Try to:

• Avoid walking on the lawn when it’s wet or frosty

• Keep kids and pets off soggy or shaded areas

• Use stepping stones or paths where possible

Winter damage can lead to bare spots and weak turf heading into spring.

8. Use a Lawn Pigment (Optional)

Want your winter lawn to stay green all season, even if growth slows? A lawn pigment like Pure Colour can help.

Pure Colour Pigment – safe on all lawn types

It provides an instant green-up without forcing growth. Many sports stadiums use it during the off-season for a consistent colour.

If you’ve got a cool-season lawn like perennial ryegrass or fescue (common in southern areas like VIC, TAS, or cooler inland regions), the good news is that your lawn stays active during this season. Unlike warm-season grasses, it doesn’t go dormant.

A lot of the tips mentioned above still apply — things like watering less frequently, mowing with sharp blades, avoiding compaction, and keeping an eye out for weeds and disease are just as relevant. But there are a few key differences worth noting:

• Mowing: Continue mowing every 1–2 weeks through the cooler months, as growth will still occur. Raise your mower slightly to protect the leaf blades from cold stress.

• Fertilising: You can still fertilise cool-season lawns through the cool season, but stick with a liquid blend like The Pure Lawn Tips Mix to avoid pushing excessive top growth.

• Watering: Deep water if there’s been no rain for a week or more, but be cautious — overwatering increases the risk of fungal issues.

• Disease watch: Cool-season lawns can be more prone to fungal diseases like winter fusarium in shaded, damp areas. Water in the morning and improve airflow where possible.

With a bit of attention, cool-season lawns will stay lush and green right through winter and into early spring, when warm-season lawns are still just waking up.

Looking after your lawn in winter is all about maintenance, not growth. You’re essentially keeping the grass healthy and stress-free so it can explode with growth in spring.

Stick to the basics — light mowing, smart watering, and a winter-appropriate fertiliser — and your lawn will thank you come September.

Need help choosing the right products? Browse the range or grab our Free Lawn Plan to stay on track all year.