This week’s turf tip we’re looking at Lawn Solutions Australia article on how grass performs during the cold in winter and how it continues to grow throughout. Certain types of grass slow down, while others completely stop growing with the changes of climate start growing again when temperatures increase.
Winter Dormancy
What is Dormancy? Dormancy is when a living organism’s life cycle of growth activity and development that it temporarily stops. Different types of grasses by the nature of their composition will go into a different stage of dormancy depending on the climate helping it converse energy. Once the soil temperature drops below 14°C, warm season grasses will begin to slow down and go into a dormancy which helps protect itself from harsh winter weather conditions.
In South-east Queensland we have a limited wither season unlike other countries such as North America and Europe. Warm season varieties such as Sir Walter DNA Certified buffalo, Nullarbor couch and Sir Grange Zoysia are the much more common rather than cool season varieties such as fescue, rye and bent grass. This is because limited cool season and warm-season varieties never really go fully dormant and will continue to grow at a much slower rate.
Grass in the winter
During winter it is especially noticeable that you may have gone from mowing your lawn weekly to every couple of weeks and some southern states not mowing at all. Northern states usually don’t experience the seasonal extent of either dry or wet year round allows their grass to continuing grow all year round. If you have a warm season grass, now is a good time to raise the mowing height a little to help it retain nutrient in preparation for the cooler months ahead.
Colour Guard
Lawn dormancy will lose some colour as its conserving energy. This is not anything to worry about and is completely normal. This is no different to trees and other plants which also turn beautiful golden browns and oranges during the autumn season. A lawn winter colour cheat product ColourGuard is an easy to apply natural plant-based pigment. ColourGuard is a permanent pigment and once dry won’t wash off with rain or water. It is also UV fade resistant and won’t bleed, run or stain once it has been absorbed by your grass. The colour will only disappear as your blade grows and you cut your lawn. Also with the slower growth rate of winter this means your lawn will keep its new colour even longer
If you’ve got questions regarding ColourGuard or want to order a new lawn, call our team on (07) 3114 8281. You can also to pop in and order in person at our sales office on 1/243 Bradman Street, Acacia Ridge. The office opens Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm and Saturday 7am to 12pm.
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