Creating a beautiful, green lawn isn’t just about aesthetics – there’s a science to it. With so many factors at play, from choosing the right grass type to mastering watering and fertilisation, it can feel daunting to keep your lawn looking its best all year round. In this guide, we’re sharing expert insights and straightforward tips from the TDL Maintenance team to help you cultivate a healthy, resilient lawn that will make you the envy of the neighbourhood. These practical steps will ensure your grass stays lush, green, and gorgeous through every season.
‘Each lawn is unique, and factors like grass type, soil health, and climate all play a part,’ explains Rob Wittkowsky, TDL’s Maintenance Manager.
‘It’s about understanding these elements to tailor your approach for the best results.’
With his advice, we’ll walk you through the essentials of maintaining a thriving lawn with consistent care, including precise mowing, watering, fertilisation, aeration, and pest control. Here’s TDL’s step-by-step guide to help you keep your lawn a cut above the rest!
Mowing
- Frequency: Mow your lawn regularly, typically once a week during the growing season. In the cooler months, you can reduce mowing frequency.
- Mowing height: Set your mower to the correct height for your grass type.
- For all Buffalo varieties cutting height ranges from 20-25mm in full sun during the warmer months and 25-30mm in cooler weather. For part shade, cut at 35mm all year.
- For Couch and Kikuyu varieties, cutting height ranges from 15-20mm during warmer months and 20-25mm in cooler weather.
- Avoid cutting too short: Never cut more than one-third of the grass height at a time. Cutting too short can stress the grass and make it more susceptible to disease.
- Sharp blades: Keep your mower blades sharp. Dull blades tear the grass, making it more prone to disease.
Watering
- Water deeply, not frequently: Water your lawn deeply to encourage deep root growth, aiming for 30 to 40mm of water per week, including rainfall. Watering deeply twice a week is better than shallow watering every day. This helps develop stronger, deeper roots that are resilient against heat.
- Morning watering: Water early in the morning (before 8 am) to minimise evaporation and allow the grass to dry before evening, reducing the risk of fungal growth.
- Avoid overwatering: Overwatering can lead to shallow roots and increase the chances of disease. Adjust your watering schedule based on rainfall and weather conditions.
Fertilisation
- Fertilise regularly: Apply fertiliser in the Spring, Summer and Autumn. Use a slow-release fertiliser to provide nutrients over time.
- Use the right fertiliser: Choose a fertiliser that matches your grass type.
- Buffalo varieties: Apply slow-release granular fertiliser in April and September and a foliar fertiliser in late November or early December.
- Couch and Kikuyu varieties: Apply slow-release granular fertiliser in April and September and December.
Remember to water in all granular fertilisers immediately after applying to prevent any leaf burn, this also ensures nutrients reach the roots where they’re needed most.
If your lawn is in good general health, look for a balanced NPK fertiliser with 3.1.2 on the label. It should follow this ratio:
N (Nitrogen) – 3 part
P (Phosphorous) – 1 part
K (Potassium) – 1 or 2 part
For stronger leaf growth and colour, use a higher Nitrogen fertiliser. To promote stronger root development, use a higher Phosphorous and Potassium fertiliser.
Aeration
- Aerate your lawn: Aeration helps relieve soil compaction, allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the grass roots more effectively. Aerate at least once a year, ideally in the spring or early summer. It is important to use a hollow tine corer, meaning you will be removing the core/plug providing better aeration and ultimately stronger turn. Pushing a fork of solid tines into your turf will increase compaction as you are pushing the soil down into the soil profile.
- Best time to aerate: Aerate during the growing season when your grass is actively growing.
Weed control
- Prevent weeds early: Apply a preemergent herbicide in the Spring to prevent weed seeds from germinating. Be cautious with chemical treatments and follow instructions carefully.
- Spot-treat weeds: For existing weeds, spot-treat with a post-emergent herbicide or remove weeds by hand. Apply a specific broadleaf herbicide for common broadleaf weeds, for unwanted grasses in your turf seek professional advice on the best way to manage or eradicate.
- Mulching: Mulch around trees, shrubs, and garden beds to help suppress the spread of weeds and conserve moisture.
Pest and disease control
- Inspect regularly: Check your lawn regularly for signs of pests like beetles, ants or army worm, as well as signs of disease like brown spot and leaf rust.
- Chemical control: If you need to use pesticides or fungicides, apply them carefully and follow the label instructions at all times. Look for natural remedies as your first option.
Reseeding and repairing
- Overseed bare spots: If your lawn has bare patches, overseed in Spring or early Summer.
- Repair damage: If your lawn has significant damage from pests, disease, or heavy foot traffic, repair the areas by reseeding or patching with new sod.
Edge and trim
- Edge lawn areas: Use an edger or string trimmer to keep edges along footpaths, driveways, and flower beds neat and defined. This gives your lawn a well-maintained appearance.
- Trim grass around obstacles: Trim grass around trees, bushes, and fences to keep these areas tidy and prevent grass from becoming overgrown.
By following these lawn care tips and staying on top of regular maintenance, you’ll help your lawn thrive throughout the year. If your lawn needs some extra TLC, contact our Maintenance Team to make sure it stays in tip top condition.