November lawn care in subtropical areas

Armyworm caterpillars feed at night and can strip a lawn in days. If you see chewed leaves or a spreading brown patch, check the lawn at dusk or after dark with a torch.

Look for brown patches where the turf lifts like carpet, and birds digging in the lawn. Lift a section of turf at the edge of a patch and check for C-shaped, creamy white grubs in the root zone.

• How do I know if I have lawn grubs?

Mow often enough that you never take off more than a third of the leaf at once. Keep shaded areas a little higher than sunny ones, and keep the blade sharp so it cuts cleanly.

• How short should I mow buffalo?

Roughly circular yellow or brown patches in mild, humid weather can be brown patch. Water in the morning so leaves dry during the day, and avoid overwatering.

Clover makes its own nitrogen, so it thrives where the grass is hungry. Feeding the lawn at the label rate helps the grass compete.

Nutgrass grows in warm, wet conditions and comes back from underground tubers, so it takes persistence. Improve drainage where water sits, and use only products whose label lists the weed and your grass.

Rings of darker green grass, sometimes with mushrooms or dry grass, are fairy rings. Water deeply where the soil in the ring stays dry.

Heavy renovation, such as dethatching, scarifying and topdressing, is best done while warm-season grass is growing strongly so it recovers quickly. Water well afterwards and feed at the label rate. Don't renovate where a pre-emergent is working unless the label allows it.

• Why is my buffalo thinning out?
• The complete guide to buffalo lawns
• Spring lawn care guide for Australian lawns
• Topdressing Calculator