October Lawn Care: Why Now Is the Time to Feed Your Lawn

Spring is properly kicking into gear, and your lawn knows it.

As the days get warmer and soil temperatures rise, warm-season turf varieties start coming back to life. Growth picks up, the lawn begins to thicken and before you know it, the mowing starts getting more regular.

That makes October an important time in your lawn care calendar, and one of the key jobs to tick off is feeding your lawn.

Why feed your lawn in October?

After spending winter growing slowly or sitting relatively dormant, your lawn is gearing up for a much more active growing season.

A spring fertiliser application provides nutrients to support that new growth, helping your lawn build density and develop a healthy root system as it heads towards summer.

Think of it as getting your lawn fuelled up before the growing season really gets going.

While September lawn care is often about getting ahead of summer weeds with pre-emergent products, October is about putting some of that attention back on the lawn itself.

September: Get ahead of the weeds.
October: Feed the lawn.

When should you fertilise?

For many Victorian warm-season lawns, early October is a key spring feeding window.

At Coolabah Turf, we recommend applying LSA Premium Lawn Food in Week 1 of October as part of your seasonal lawn care routine.

Applying fertiliser as your lawn enters its active growing period gives it access to the nutrients it needs when it can put them to work.

Of course, turf varieties can have different growing patterns and nutrient requirements, so it's always worth checking the recommended fertilising program for your particular lawn.

See our Seasonal Guide to Lawn Fertilising →

What does spring fertiliser actually do?

Fertiliser isn't about making your lawn grow as fast as possible. It's about giving it the nutrients it needs to grow well.

A well-fed lawn can develop:

• Strong, healthy growth
• Good lawn density
• A stronger root system
• The ability to recover from everyday wear
• A better foundation for the warmer months ahead

And that last one is important.

Summer can put your lawn through its paces. Hotter weather, more foot traffic, kids, dogs, backyard entertaining and plenty of mowing all add up. Giving your lawn a good start to the growing season helps set it up for what's ahead.

How to apply your spring feed

Before you reach for the spreader, there are a few simple things to keep in mind.

Start with the right fertiliser: Choose a fertiliser suited to your turf variety and follow the recommended application rate on the product label. More isn't better when it comes to fertiliser. Applying too much can put unnecessary stress on the lawn and won't give you better results.

Apply evenly: A spreader can help distribute granular fertiliser evenly across the lawn and reduce the risk of putting too much product in one area. Take your time and avoid overlapping applications, particularly around edges and garden beds.

Water it in: Once you've applied a granular fertiliser, water the lawn according to the product directions. This helps move the nutrients into the soil where the lawn's roots can access them.

Don't forget the rest of your October lawn care

Fertilising is an important part of getting your lawn moving in spring, but it's not the only job on the list.

As temperatures rise and growth picks up, keep an eye on:

• Watering: Your lawn's water requirements will increase as the weather warms. Start adjusting your watering routine to suit conditions rather than waiting until the lawn is already stressed.
• Mowing: Faster growth means more regular mowing. Keep your mower blades sharp and avoid taking too much off in a single mow.
• Weeds: Summer grasses such as Summer Grass and Crowsfoot can become a problem as conditions warm. September's pre-emergent treatment is one part of getting ahead of them, but keep monitoring your lawn as spring progresses.
• Lawn health: Look for thin or stressed areas and address problems early rather than waiting until summer is in full swing.

October is your lawn's spring reset

There's something satisfying about seeing your lawn properly wake up after winter.

The colour comes back. Growth picks up. The backyard starts looking like somewhere you actually want to spend time again.

A spring feed is one of those simple jobs that can make a big difference to how your lawn performs through the growing season.

So if September was about getting ahead of the weeds, make October about giving your lawn what it needs to get growing.

Looking for more lawn care advice?

For detailed fertilising recommendations by turf variety, check out our Seasonal Guide to Lawn Fertilising, or browse our Seasonal Lawn Care Guide for a month-by-month approach to keeping your lawn looking its best.