Revive your lawn for spring

When it comes to enjoying a lustrous green lawn in spring, it’s a case of ‘preparation makes perfect’. And that means you need to start preparing in late August, just as winter begins to loosen its grip. Lawn spaces play a role in so many garden designs, from larger country landscapes to smaller urban spaces, where they provide that all-important patch of green. They offer a softening contrast to hardscaped areas, a space for kids to play, and a heat-absorbing surface during the long summer months. So they’re worth a bit of extra effort – and now’s the time to get started on your lawn revival plan.

5 steps to revive your lawn

1. CLEAN-UP ACT
Start by eliminating the stuff you don’t want in your lawn – thatch and weeds. Thatch is a layer of dead grass that builds up at the base of the lawn, leading to issues with water absorption and encouraging disease. To remove it, use a metal-tined rake, pressing down firmly as you move across the lawn. You’ll be surprised by how much you collect. Next, tackle any weeds that have invaded your patch. Remove them by hand if there are only a few, or spray them with a selective lawn herbicide. “Make sure you get not only the right herbicide for the weed, but one that is compatible with your lawn type,” says lawn expert Joe Rogers.

2. LET IT BREATHE
Lawn soils become compacted over time, especially in areas with lots of foot traffic. Aerating the lawn counters this, opening up the soil to allow for better absorption of water, air and nutrients. For smaller areas, you can use a garden fork, working across the lawn in rows and plunging the tines in about 5–6cm. For larger areas, Joe suggests hiring a mechanical aerator or corer to make the job easier, and timing it so it precedes any feeding: “Aerate your lawn while the soil is still moist in late winter.”

3. FEED
With your lawn weed-free and well aerated, it’s time to give it a feed. Don’t do this too early – wait until the first blades of spring green are just starting to peep through. It’s a good idea to mow the area lightly first, with the blades set high, to remove any leaves and debris. Apply an organic-based granular lawn food, watering it in thoroughly so the nutrients absorb into the root zone. To keep your lawn in peak condition year round, give it a repeat feed in December and again in early autumn.

4. HYDRATE
While lawns love water, they don’t need to be guzzlers. Many warm-season turf varieties, especially the newer forms of buffalo, don’t require a lot of irrigation once they’re established. To make your lawn waterwise, avoid watering it in the middle of the day, when evaporation is high, and give it less frequent but deeper waterings – this encourages the grass to send its roots down deeper, which in turn makes it more drought tolerant. At the beginning of spring, also apply a soil-wetting agent to improve water absorption (soil-wetters are available in hose-on spray packs, which are handy for lawn application).

5. PATCH
If any bare patches remain after the lawn has been fed and watered, these can be easily fixed. To patch with seed, remove about 4–5cm of the existing soil, replace with a lawn soil mix, scatter the seed and water with a fine spray. You’ll need to keep the area constantly moist for several weeks to ensure success. For a quicker result, patch with turf, cutting it to fit the space and making sure it sits level with the surrounding lawn. In the case of some grass varieties, such as buffalo, turf will be your only option.

Note: If you’re thinking about replacing your lawn this spring, devote a little time to researching the best variety for your place. Warm-season grasses such as buffalo and couch grow horizontally with good wear resistance, while cool-season varieties like fescue and ryegrass are more upright with better colour in winter. Shade tolerance varies, too, so check on this before planting in low-light areas. Need some advice for laying a lawn? Read our article Tips for perfect lawn now.

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