Raise the mower as growth slows
Autumn in Canterbury brings shorter days, heavier dew and the first frosts. Grass growth eases off, and the worst thing you can do is keep scalping it short. Raise the cutting height a notch — longer blades photosynthesise better in weak autumn sun and shade out germinating weeds.
Keep mowing while the grass is growing, just less often. A tidy autumn lawn going into winter is far easier to look after than one abandoned in March and rescued in October.
Clear leaves before they smother
Fallen leaves left in a soggy mat block light and air, and bare patches appear underneath by spring. Mow over light falls to shred them into the lawn, and rake or blow heavier drops onto beds as mulch or into the compost.
This is also the moment to edge paths and borders — crisp autumn edges make the whole section look cared for through the quiet months.
Hit weeds while they are small
Autumn-germinating weeds — chickweed, poa, winter grass — establish now and explode in spring. Hand-pull what you can while the soil is soft, and consider a targeted spray programme for persistent lawn weeds before winter shuts growth down.
Qualified weed spraying, one of the services offered locally, is most effective when weeds are actively growing — autumn is the window, not midwinter.
Feed and set up for winter
An autumn feed strengthens roots while top growth slows, so the lawn greens up faster in spring. Choose a balanced slow-release fertiliser and water it in if the rain has not arrived yet.
Then service the mower, sharpen the blades and put the feet up — a little autumn effort buys an easier spring. And if the lawn has got away from you, a mowing service over autumn keeps it in shape until growth stops.
Need a hand?
Tips only go so far — if your garden needs the real thing, see the gardening services or message Davis Gardening on Facebook.