Your Spring Lawn Questions Answered

The Five Big Spring Lawn Jobs

Work through these in order and your lawn will be back on track before the real heat of summer arrives.

• Wait for active growth before fertilising Hold off on your first fertiliser application until your lawn is clearly growing again, a good sign is needing to mow it two or three times. In our part of Northern NSW this usually falls around September to October. Applying too early, before the lawn is actively taking up nutrients, is largely wasted effort. A well-rounded granular fertiliser is a great starting point, or a liquid hose-on fertiliser if you prefer that approach.
• Tackle weeds while they are small Winter's slower growth gives weeds a chance to sneak in. If you only have a handful, pull them by hand, it is quicker than it sounds and avoids the need for chemicals altogether. For a bigger invasion, identify the weed first so you can choose the right product. Broadleaf weeds like bindii, clover, oxalis and cudweed respond well to a broadleaf herbicide. Getting the identification right matters, so take a close look before you spray.
• Mow regularly using the one-third rule A simple rule to follow: never remove more than one third of the leaf blade in a single mow. How often that means mowing depends on your turf variety, the weather and how much you have been watering, so there is no single right answer. During the peak of spring growth you may find yourself mowing every seven to ten days. The key is staying consistent rather than letting the lawn get too long between cuts.
• Only renovate if your lawn genuinely needs it Renovation gets a lot of attention in spring, but most lawns do not need a full renovation every year. It is worth considering only if you have a significant thatch buildup, uneven levels, compacted soil, or a soil profile that needs improving. If your lawn is generally healthy and just a little tired from winter, a good feed and a tidy-up is usually all it needs.
• Apply a pre-emergent herbicide at the right time Pre-emergent herbicides stop weed seeds germinating before they become a problem. Apply in spring, just as temperatures start to climb, and again in autumn as they begin to fall. Granular pre-emergents are popular because they are straightforward to spread evenly across the lawn. Liquid options are also available if that suits your setup better. Timing is everything with pre-emergents, too late and the seeds have already sprouted.