Lawn Care Tips You Need to Know

Maintaining a healthy, lush, green lawn is an art and a science, combined with a pinch of patience and diligence. 

As a homeowner, you know all too well that your lawn is the first thing people see when they visit your home. It sets the tone for the rest of your property. 

Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or have been battling lawn weeds for years, this guide will provide you with all the knowledge and tips you need to achieve that perfect green carpet you’ve always dreamed of. 

The Healthy Lawn Care Basics

Before diving into the practical aspects of lawn care, you have to understand the basics. This includes knowing when and how often to mow, water, and fertilise your lawn and the importance of regular aeration.

So, let’s take a look at each of these in depth.

Mowing Your Lawn

Mowing is an essential part of lawn care that significantly influences the health and appearance of your lawn.

Cutting Height and Frequency

The growth rate of your grass, which weather, watering, and fertilisation influence, dictates how often you should mow your lawn. Typically, you should aim to mow your lawn once a week during the growing season.

Regarding the cutting height, we recommend to keep your grass around 2.5 to 3 inches tall. Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass height at a time to prevent grass stress.

Mower Types

There are different types of mowers used in Australia, including reel, rotary, push, and riding mowers. Your choice should depend on the size of your lawn, type of leaf blades, and personal preference.

Mower Maintenance

Maintaining your mower is as important as mowing itself. Ensure that the blades are sharp and clean after each use to prevent rust and to offer a clean cut to the grass. Dull mower blades can tear the grass, making it prone to disease.

Watering Your Lawn

Watering is another critical aspect of lawn care. Proper watering helps in the deep root system of the grass, promoting a healthy and resilient lawn.

Frequency and Depth

The frequency and depth of watering depend on the type of grass, soil, and weather conditions. A good rule of thumb is to water your lawn deeply but infrequently. Aim to water your lawn once or twice a week, applying about an inch each time.

Irrigation Methods

Various methods of watering your lawn include sprinklers, hoses, and hand watering. Sprinklers are an excellent option for larger lawns, while hand watering or using a wetting agent can be effective for small lawns or spot watering.

Keep in mind any water restrictions and regulations in your local area. 

Fertilising Your Lawn

Fertilisation provides your lawn with the essential nutrients it needs to thrive, including:

1. Nitrogen (N)
2. Phosphorus (P), and 
3. Potassium (K). 

Nitrogen promotes leaf and stem growth, phosphorus aids root development, and potassium enhances plant health.

Organic vs Synthetic Fertilisers

The two main types of fertilisers are organic and synthetic. Organic fertilisers are from natural sources and are slow-release, providing nutrients over a longer period of time. Synthetic fertilisers are man-made and quick-release, providing nutrients immediately but for a shorter duration.

Application Methods

You can apply the complete package of both fertilisers using a spreader (either a drop spreader for small lawns or a broadcast spreader for larger lawns) or sprayed as a liquid.

Fertilising Schedule

The best time to fertilise your lawn is in the early spring when the grass starts actively growing. After that, you can fertilise every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.

Aeration with Garden Fork

Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots and alleviate soil compaction. This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn.

You can carry out aeration using a garden fork or a core aerator, and it’s best done during the growing season when the grass can recover quickly from the process.

Weed and Pest Control

Managing lawn weeds and pests is the absoilute pinnacle of creating healthy, head-turning lawn. This involves identifying your area’s common weeds and pests, understanding their life cycles, and implementing effective control measures.

Weed Identification and Control

Weeds compete with grass for nutrients, water, and sunlight, so you need to control them for your lawn’s health. Some of the common lawn weeds include dandelions, crabgrass, and broadleaf weeds.

Various methods can achieve weed control, including the use of herbicides. Pre-emergent herbicides prevent weed seeds from germinating, while post-emergent herbicides kill existing weeds.

Pest Identification and Control

Pests can also cause significant damage to your lawn. Common lawn pests include grubs, chinch bugs, and sod webworms.

Control measures involve the use of insecticides and biological agents, such as beneficial nematodes that prey on harmful pests.

Bonus Lawn Care Tips

Apart from the basics, other efforts can help maintain the health and appearance of your lawn. These include dethatching, overseeding, edging, and managing your pets.

Dethatching

Thatch is a layer of dead grass, roots, and debris that builds on the soil surface over time. While a small amount of thatch can be beneficial, excessive thatch can prevent water and nutrients from reaching the soil and can harbour pests and diseases.

Dethatching involves removing this layer using a rake or a power dethatcher. This is best done in the early spring or autumn when the lawn can recover quickly.

Overseeding

Overseeding involves spreading grass seeds over an existing lawn. This helps to improve the density of the lawn, fill in bare spots, and enhance the lawn’s colour. The best time to overseed is in autumn when the temperatures are cooler and there are fewer weeds to compete with the new grass.

Edging

Edging involves defining the boundaries of your lawn to create a neat appearance. You can do this manually using a lawn edger or a string trimmer, or by installing a permanent edge using paving stones or metal edging. Our landscape designers can also provide advice here to give you the best solution.

Managing Pets 

Pets, specifically dogs, can cause harm to lawns as a result of their digging and urinating tendencies. Nevertheless, there are ways to alleviate these issues. One solution is to teach your furry companion to do their business in a specific section of the yard. 

If you do observe any damage to the lawn, it’s worth fixing it promptly and regularly watering the area to dilute the urine and promote recovery. By implementing these measures, you can guarantee that your lawn will remain in good health and visually appealing.

Seasonal Lawn Care Needs

Depending on the season, your lawn care routine may need some adjustments. This section covers the specific needs of your lawn in different seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Spring Lawn Care

Spring is a crucial time for lawn care, as the grass is coming out of its winter dormancy and starting its active growing phase.

• Start by cleaning up any debris that has accumulated over the winter.
• Once the threat of frost has passed, start regular mowing.
• Apply a spring lawn fertiliser to boost your grass and help it grow.
• If necessary, apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent the germination of weed seeds.

Summer Lawn Care

In the summer, your lawn needs to cope with higher temperatures and, in many areas, less rainfall.

• Water your lawn deeply and less frequently to encourage strong root growth.
• Raise your mower’s cutting height to help the grass retain moisture.
• Watch out for signs of pests and diseases, which can be more prevalent in the summer.

Autumn Lawn Care

Autumn is the perfect time to prepare your lawn for the winter ahead and to repair any damage that occurred over the summer.

• Overseed your lawn to fill in thin or bare spots.
• Apply a fall lawn fertiliser to help the grass build up energy reserves for the winter.
• Rake up fallen leaves to prevent them from smothering the grass.

Winter Lawn Care

During winter, your lawn is dormant, and growth has slowed or stopped. However, there are still some important lawn care tasks to perform.

• Keep off the lawn as much as possible to prevent damaging the grass.
• If there is snow, avoid piling it up on the lawn, where it can smother the grass and create conditions favourable for snow mould.

Lawn Soil & Why It Matters

The health of your lawn largely depends on your soil’s health. Understanding your soil type and its properties can help you make informed decisions about watering, fertilising, and other lawn care practices.

Soil Testing

A soil test can provide valuable information about your soil’s nutrient content and pH level. It can also identify any deficiencies or imbalances that may be affecting the health of your grass.

Soil Types

Based on the size of the particles it contains, soil falls into three main types: sand, silt, and clay. Each soil type has different properties that affect how it holds water and nutrients.

• Sandy soils have large particles that drain quickly but do not hold nutrients well.
• Silty soils have medium-sized particles and hold water well but can become compacted.
• Clay soils have small particles and hold water and nutrients well, but they drain slowly and can become easily compacted.

5.3. Soil pH

Your soil’s pH level can affect nutrient availability to your grass. Most grasses prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0). If your soil is too acidic or alkaline, it may be necessary to adjust the pH by adding lime (to raise pH) or sulphur (to lower pH).

Choosing the Right Grass for Your Lawn

The type of grass you choose for your lawn can significantly impact its appearance and the maintenance required. Many different grass species are available in Australia, each with its own characteristics and care requirements.

Cool Season Grasses

Cool season grasses thrive in areas with cold winters and warm summers. They have peak growth periods in the spring and fall when temperatures are cooler. These include Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue.

Warm Season Grasses

Warm-season grasses thrive in areas with hot summers and mild winters. They have their peak growth period in the summer and go dormant in the winter. Examples of warm-season grasses include Bermuda grass, Zoysia grass, and St. Augustine grass.

Artificial Turf

For those looking to ditch the manual upkeep, synthetic grass is the perfect option for homeowners and businesses alike. No need to worry about pests, disease, mowing and watering – just a bit of TLC here and there. Plus, there are plenty of styles to choose from.

Hiring a Lawn Care Professional

While you can DIY many aspects of lawn care, there are times when it might be best to call in a professional. 

If your lawn type is constantly plagued by severe weed or pest problems, appears unhealthy despite your best efforts, or if you’re planning mid to heavy changes like installing a new lawn or irrigation system, it might be worth seeking the expertise of a professional.

But if all of this seems like too much, switching to synthetic grass might be the better option. Contact us for more information and advice on whether this solution is the right one for you.

Key Takeaways

• Regular mowing, watering, and fertilising are key to maintaining a beautiful lawn.
• Understanding your soil and choosing the right grass variety for your climate and soil type can significantly influence the health and appearance of your lawn.
• Controlling lawn weeds and pests keeps your lawn looking its best.
• Regular aeration and dethatching can help improve the health of your lawn.
• Regularly changing your mowing pattern, leaving grass clippings on the lawn, and watering deeply can all help improve the health and appearance of your lawn.
• Consider switching to artificial turf if the upkeep of natural grass becomes too much of a burden.