6 Summer Lawn Care Tips

Ah, the Australian summer! A time for beach outings, barbecues, and watching your kids play in the yard. But let's not forget the star of your outdoor space—your lawn. While you revel in the long sunny days, your grass might be feeling the heat, literally.

The Challenge

In Australia, keeping your lawn looking lush and healthy during the scorching summer months isn't just a task; it's an art form. Run-of-the-mill watering and occasional mowing won't cut it. Your lawn requires specialised care to withstand the harsh conditions and truly thrive.

Who Is This Guide For?

If you're one of those meticulous dads or diligent mums who see your lawn as more than just a patch of green but an extension of your home, this guide is for you. Get ready to dive deep into advanced lawn care strategies catering to the Australian summer's unique climate and challenges.

Ready to elevate your lawn game? Let's get started!

Delving Deep with Core Aeration

More Than Just Holes in the Ground

Core aeration might sound like an esoteric term, but in essence, it's about creating small perforations in your lawn. Why, you ask? To let your grass breathe and facilitate better absorption of water and nutrients. In the Australian heat, this isn't a luxury—it's a necessity.

Why Aeration?

• Alleviates Soil Compaction: Your lawn is a high-traffic area, especially during family gatherings and children's playtime. Core aeration helps relieve soil compaction, allowing your lawn's roots to expand.
• Boosts Nutrient Absorption: A well-aerated lawn allows water, nutrients, and oxygen to penetrate the soil more efficiently, which is crucial during the dry and hot summer months.

Aeration as a Solution

• Root-Bound Soil: When soil is compacted, grass can't develop a robust root system. Aeration gives those roots room to grow, improving the lawn's resilience and overall health.
• Heat Resilience: Summer heat in Australia can be brutal, leaving your lawn looking more like straw than lush green grass. Core aeration enables your lawn to retain moisture and nutrients better, making it more resistant to the harsh climate.

Product Spotlight: For the passionate lawn enthusiast, investing in a high-quality aerator is vital. Our Robust 2 Tyne Aerator is designed for Australian lawns, offering adjustable tine depth for precise aeration. If you have a large lanw and need to get the job done quickly, consider hiring a professional grade petrol powered aretor from your local hire joint.

If you want to take your lawn care to the next level, core aeration is not just a recommendation but a game-changer. And it's the first crucial step in mastering lawn care for the Australian summer.

Sophisticated Fertilisation: Beyond the Basics

Not All Fertilisers are Created Equal

When it comes to keeping your lawn looking vibrant and healthy, fertilisation is non-negotiable. But we're not talking about a 'sprinkle-and-forget' approach here. Australian soils vary in nutrient content, and your lawn has specific dietary needs that generic fertilisers just can't meet.

The Upside of Targeted Fertilisation

• Enhanced Vibrancy and Health: Customised fertilisation can make your lawn look like it's had a spa day every day.
• Nutritional Balance: Instead of throwing a cocktail of nutrients and hoping something sticks, targeted fertilisation ensures your lawn gets exactly what it needs for optimal growth.

Nutrition as Transformation

• No More Pale, Tired-Looking Lawns: A lawn that gets the nutrients it needs will be robust and full of life, unlike a nutrient-deficient one that can turn patchy and pale.
• Heat-Ready Grass: A well-fed lawn is more resilient, allowing it to withstand the high-intensity Australian sun without getting burnt to a crisp.

Product Spotlight: Consider our Combi Green Granular Turf Fertiliser, custom-formulated with 5% Seaweed to enrich your soils. Packed with essential nutrients and time-release granules, this fertiliser gradually nourishes your lawn, helping it withstand summer stress.

Fertilisation isn't merely an item on a to-do list; it's an ongoing commitment to your lawn's wellbeing. And in an Australian summer, this commitment pays off by saving you from the misery of watching your lawn wither away.

Advanced Weed Management: No Room for Invaders

More than Just Plucking Dandelions

Weeds are the uninvited guests of the plant world; they show up unannounced and steal nutrients, water, and sunlight from your grass. In Australia, weeds like bindii and clover are particularly aggressive. Conventional weeding techniques might get rid of them temporarily, but you'll need a more calculated approach for long-term prevention.

Why Advanced Weed Management?

• Consistent, Uninterrupted Grass Growth: Once you remove weeds, your grass can grow freely without competing for resources.
• Prevents Nutrient Theft: A weed-free lawn ensures that the fertilisers and water you apply are used solely by your grass.

Turning the Tables

• Eliminate Unsightly Patches: Certain weeds can create bare spots in your lawn or make it look uneven. Advanced weed management helps maintain a consistent texture and colour.
• Resource Efficiency: Weeds are resource-hungry and rob your grass of its much-needed nourishment. Managing weeds ensures that your lawn gets the full benefit of your care.

Product Spotlight: Specific herbicides can help you tackle many common weeds in your lawn. When choosing a herbicide, ensure it's safe for your type of grass. Here are two recommended products based on your lawn type:

• Couch Lawns: Surefire Dicamba M Selective Herbicide
• Buffalo or Zoysia Lawns (or if you're unsure of your lawn type): Surefire Buffalo - Bindii & Broadleaf Weedkiller

These herbicides target clover and other broadleaf weeds without harming your grass. Remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper application rates and methods.

Advanced weed management is like having a VIP-only sign on your lawn—only the plants you want get to stay, making it easier for your lawn to flourish, especially during the challenging Australian summer.

Mowing: More Than Just a Chore, It's a Science

Mow the Aussie Way

In Australia, where summer heat can be intense, mowing your lawn isn't just about keeping it neat—it’s about promoting grass health and resilience. The key lies in understanding the type of grass you have and adjusting your mowing practices accordingly.

Elevate Your Lawn Game

• Grass Health: The right mowing height encourages robust root systems and improves nutrient absorption.
• Uniform Growth: Proper mowing helps maintain an even growth pattern, ensuring your lawn looks lush and inviting.

How it Addresses Pain Points: The Precision Cut

• Weed Prevention: Mowing at the correct height can suppress weed growth by limiting the amount of sunlight that reaches weed seeds.
• Stress Reduction: Cutting too short or "scalping" stresses the grass, leaving it vulnerable to diseases and unattractive brown patches.

Mowing Guidelines for Australian Summers:

For Broadleaf Grass Types (e.g., Buffalo, Kikuyu)

• Height: Maintain a height of 3 to 4 inches. This helps shade the soil and reduce water evaporation.
• Frequency: Aim to mow once a week during peak summer.

For Fine-Leaf Grass Types (e.g., Couch)

• Height: Couch grass does well when mowed between 1 to 1.5 inches. This promotes dense growth and discourages weeds.
• Frequency: In the active growing season, you may need to mow every 5 to 7 days to maintain optimal height.

Remember, mowing isn't just about making your lawn look neat; it's a critical practice that affects your lawn's health. In an Australian summer, the right mowing strategy can be the difference between a lawn that thrives and one that merely survives.

Efficient Watering Techniques: Not Just a Drop in the Bucket

Just Watering by the Calendar Won't Cut It

Watering your lawn may seem straightforward, but the hot, arid Australian summer demands a more nuanced approach. You can't control the climate, but you can control how your lawn receives and retains water.

Quenching Your Lawn's Thirst Efficiently

• Deep Hydration: Strategic watering ensures that water penetrates deeply into the soil, reaching the roots where it's most needed.
• Resource Conservation: Watering effectively can reduce wastage, an essential consideration given Australia's water scarcity issues.

Sip, Don't Guzzle

• Preventing Lawn Diseases: Overwatering doesn't just waste water; it creates a breeding ground for diseases like root rot. Efficient watering techniques help keep your lawn disease-free.
• Sustainability: Reducing water waste is not just good for your wallet; it's also an eco-friendly practice.

The Importance of Soil Wetting Agents

In many cases, water tends to run off rather than soak into the soil, leading to inefficient watering. Soil wetting agents act like soil conditioners, enabling better water penetration and retention, which is particularly important in the sandy soils common in parts of Australia.

Product Spotlight: For a water-efficient lawn, consider our AquaPro Advanced Liquid Wetting Agent. Designed specifically for hydrophobic soils, it improves water penetration and helps distribute moisture evenly across your lawn.

Effective watering is more than just turning on the hose. It's a balancing act that considers the unique needs of your lawn and the specific challenges of the Australian climate.

Advanced Thatch Management: More Than Just a Rake Job

The Unseen Barrier to a Healthy Lawn

Thatch—a dense layer of dead grass, roots, and organic matter—can become an invisible enemy to your lawn's wellbeing. While a thin layer is beneficial for water retention, an excessive layer blocks nutrients and water from reaching the soil. That can be the death knell for your lawn in an Australian summer.

The Advantages of Professional Dethatching

• Nutrient Uptake: Removing thatch enables better water, nutrient, and air penetration, which is essential for a healthy lawn.
• Reduced Disease Risk: A thick thatch layer can harbor fungi and pests. Removing it reduces these risks considerably.

Breaking Down Barriers

• Combatting Fungal Diseases: Thatch creates a damp environment conducive to fungal growth. Dethatching helps mitigate this problem.
• Improved Lawn Texture and Health: A lawn free of excessive thatch is softer, greener, and more resilient.

Accessible Solutions for Dethatching:

You don't need to own a machine to enjoy the benefits of advanced dethatching. Most local hire yards offer dethatching machines that you can rent for a day or a weekend. This allows you to gain the benefits of professional-grade equipment without a long-term investment.

By incorporating dethatching into your lawn care routine, especially before the blistering heat sets in, you're setting your yard up for a successful summer.

Your Lawn, Your Pride

Taking care of your lawn is not just another household chore—it's an investment in your home's aesthetic and your own well-being. And in the demanding climate of an Australian summer, it's crucial to go beyond the basics. From core aeration to advanced thatch management, each step prepares your lawn to survive and thrive in the coming months.

Ready to Elevate Your Lawn Game?

Don't let the Australian sun rob you of a lush, green lawn this summer. Arm yourself with our curated range of lawn care products, specifically designed for the unique challenges of the Australian climate. Dive into The Garden Superstore today and give your lawn the love it deserves.

There you have it! Your comprehensive guide to mastering Australian summers and ensuring your lawn remains the envy of the neighbourhood. Ready to get started?

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Put on My Lawn in the Summertime?

The Essentials for Thriving Grass

• Core Aeration: Begin your summer lawn care with core aeration to ensure efficient nutrient absorption and alleviate soil compaction. A high-quality aerator like our Robust 2 Tyne Aerator can be a game-changer.
• Targeted Fertilisation: Opt for custom-formulated fertilisers like our Combi Green Granular Turf Fertiliser to ensure your lawn gets the specific nutrients it needs.
• Advanced Wetting Agents: Improve water penetration and retention in your soil using our AquaPro Advanced Liquid Wetting Agent, especially if you have hydrophobic soils.

Should I Fertilise My Lawn in Summer?

The Right Time and Type for Fertilisation

• Yes, You Should: Fertilising in summer is crucial to provide your lawn with the nutrients it needs to withstand the harsh conditions.
• Customised Approach: The Combi Green Granular Turf Fertiliser is specially designed to nourish your lawn during summer months, helping it remain vibrant and resilient.

How Often Should I Mow My Lawn in Summer Australia?

Mowing Frequency by Grass Type

• Broadleaf Grass Types (e.g., Buffalo, Kikuyu): Aim to mow once a week during peak summer, maintaining a height of 3 to 4 inches.
• Fine-Leaf Grass Types (e.g., Couch): You may need to mow every 5 to 7 days, keeping the height between 1 to 1.5 inches.

How Can I Thicken My Lawn in the Summer?

Strategies for a Fuller Lawn

• Correct Mowing Practices: Mowing at the right height can encourage denser growth, discourage weeds, and enhance root development.
• Optimal Fertilisation: A well-fed lawn grows more robustly. Our Combi Green Granular Turf Fertiliser helps you achieve just that.
• Aeration: Core aeration provides the roots with room to grow, contributing to a thicker and more resilient lawn.
• Weed Management: By eliminating resource-stealing weeds with targeted herbicides, you give your grass a better chance to grow thick and healthy.