Table of Contents
3. Pre-emergent
6. Fertiliser
8. Lawn edger
9. FAQ's
Winter is nearly over and most of our lawns are looking brown and lifeless. It’s not the end of the world as there are some simple strategies that you can follow to help revive your lawn and look the best in the street.
Here are the steps to follow if you want to have the best lawn in the street: water correctly, undertake a lawn renovation, apply pre-emergents, mow your lawn regularly, sharpen your lawn mowing blades, apply the correct amount of fertiliser, use wetting agents and access a lawn edger.
Water correctly
Watering regularly helps the lawn prevent diseases and encourages deeper roots in the soil.
The goal is to water deeply less frequently as opposed to watering for a short period of time and more frequently.
To achieve this you should be watering your lawn with approximately 6ml 2-3 times per week.
A practical way to measure how much water to use is purchasing a rain gauge from bunnings and time how long it takes the gauge to fill up to 6ml. If it takes 30mins then you should be watering your lawn 30mins every 2-3 times per week. An alternative method is placing an empty tuna can on the lawn and time how long it takes the can to fill up.
Lawn renovation
A lawn renovation consists of scalping, dethatching, coring/aeration, and topdressing.
Scalping and dethatching requires your to cut your lawn down on the lowest setting of your lawn mower and remove the thatch (dead matter).
This allows water, nutrients and oxygen to reach the root system more effectively to get the best reward when fertilising.
Coring/aeration reduces soil compaction and helps improve roots to grow deeper.
This can be achieved by using a pitch fork or you can purchase a lawn aerator from Bunnings.
If your lawn can be grown by seed which are most varieties except buffalo then overseed your lawn to produce a thicker healthier lawn.
Pre-emergent
If you experience ongoing weed issues in your lawn then I highly recommend applying a pre-emergent.
A pre-emergent acts as a barrier to stop weed germination.
Most popular products used by professional lawn contractors are Barricade or Spearhead. Freehand is a cheaper option from Bunnings which can also be used in garden beds.
Mow regularly
If you are regularly watering and fertilising your lawns then you should be mowing weekly otherwise fortnightly would be sufficient.
This keeps the grass lush and healthy and assists with weed and disease prevention.
You should be cutting no more than a third of the leaf blade.
Any more than a third results in scalping causing the grass to brown off which takes longer for it to recover and increasing the risk of weeds and diseases.
Sharpen lawn mowing blades
You should aim to sharpen or replace your lawn mower blades each winter. You can do this by using an angle grinder and a flap disc.
An easy way to detect if your blades need sharpening or replacing is when the end of the leaf blade is torn or shredded.
This can result in your lawn being susceptible to fungal diseases.
Fertiliser
A slow release fertiliser is recommended to give your lawn the right nutrients (nitrogen N, phosphorus P and potassium K) to achieve a healthy and lush lawn.
Slow release fertilisers usually last up to three months.
A good guide is to apply a granular fertiliser at the beginning of each season.
Scotts Lawn Builder is a very popular option for the residential market. However, there are much better options available from ICL and Globe growing solutions.
Wetting agents
Wetting agents stop your soil from being hydrophobic (where water cannot penetrate the soil to reach the routes)
A great benefit of using wetting agents allows your lawn to require less watering to stay healthy.
If you have brown spots located in different areas of your lawn, there is a good chance that the soil is hydrophobic.
Lawn edger
Having sharp, straight edges is the icing on the cake.
This separates the great lawns from the good lawns.
Available tools to achieve crisp edges are a blade edger or an atom edger.
However, if you own a whipper snipper, you can turn it on its side to achieve the same result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why is spring a crucial time for lawn care?
A: Spring is a crucial time for lawn care because it marks the beginning of the growing season for grass. As temperatures rise and soil moisture increases, grass starts to recover from the dormancy of winter. Proper care during spring sets the foundation for a healthy and attractive lawn throughout the year.
Q. What are some essential tasks for spring lawn care?
A. Some essential tasks for spring lawn care include:
Mowing: Gradually reduce grass height as it grows.
Aeration: Loosen compacted soil to improve root growth and water absorption.
Fertilising: Apply a balanced fertiliser to promote healthy growth.
Weed Control: Address weeds before they become problematic.
Watering: Adjust watering frequency as temperatures rise.
Overseeding: Fill in thin areas with new grass seed.
Pest Management: Keep an eye out for pests and take appropriate action.
Q. How often should I mow my lawn in the spring?
A. In the spring, you should mow your lawn regularly to encourage healthy growth. Aim to mow about once a week, adjusting the mowing height gradually to avoid stressing the grass.
Q. Can I use any type of fertiliser in the spring?
A. It's recommended to use a balanced fertilizer with a ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium appropriate for your grass type. Look for fertilizers labeled as suitable for spring application, as they often contain the right nutrients for promoting healthy growth at this time.
Q. Is it necessary to water my lawn in the spring if it's raining frequently?
A. While spring rains can contribute to soil moisture, you should still monitor your lawn's moisture levels. Depending on your location and weather conditions, you may need to supplement rainfall with additional watering to ensure proper hydration for your grass.