Late Summer Lawn Care – How to Prepare Kikuyu & LM Grass for the Coming Autumn

February is a turning point for lawns. While summer heat still lingers, autumn is just around the corner — and what you do now can determine how well your lawn copes with cooler weather ahead. A common question this time of year is: “Should I still be maintaining my lawn in late summer, or do I wait for autumn?”

The answer is simple: February is the ideal preparation month, especially for Kikuyu and LM grass.

Why February Matters for Lawn Health

By late summer, lawns have:

• Experienced heat stress

• Used up stored nutrients

• Endured increased foot traffic

Preparing now allows your grass to recover before growth slows in autumn, rather than trying to fix problems later.

Kikuyu vs LM Grass: What They Need Right Now

Kikuyu Grass

• Still actively growing in February

• Benefits from light feeding and consistent watering

• Needs time to store energy before cooler weather reduces growth

LM Berea Grass

• Growth begins to slow earlier than Kikuyu

• Sensitive to overwatering as temperatures drop

• Needs soil conditioning rather than aggressive mowing

Adjust Your Mowing Strategy

As autumn approaches:

• Raise your mower height slightly

• Avoid scalping — shorter grass struggles to recover in cooler months

• Reduce mowing frequency toward the end of February

Longer blades help protect roots and retain moisture as the season changes.

Review Your Watering Schedule

February heat still requires watering, but this is the perfect time to start scaling back gradually:

• Water deeply, but slightly less often

• Watch soil moisture rather than following a fixed schedule

This transition helps roots adjust before autumn rains and cooler nights arrive.

The Goal: A Strong Lawn Going Into Autumn

A well-prepared lawn in February:

• Holds colour longer into autumn

• Develops stronger root systems

• Suffers less winter stress

By focusing on soil health, smart watering, and gentler mowing, both Kikuyu and LM lawns will enter autumn stronger, healthier, and better prepared for seasonal change.