Lawn Care for Beginners: 5 Essentials to Get Started

If you’re just getting started with lawn care, you’re in the right place. A lush, green lawn isn’t reserved for golf courses and pros with the right tools and techniques, anyone can achieve a healthy lawn. This guide breaks down the five essential steps every beginner should know to master lawn care and keep their turf looking its best all year round.

Whether you’re dealing with patchy grass, weeds, or just want to learn how to mow properly, this lawn care guide will help set a solid foundation. Let’s dive into the five must-know essentials.

Before doing anything else, it’s crucial to identify the type of grass growing in your yard. Different grasses require different lawn care strategies. In Australia, the most common turf types are:

• Couch grass – great for full sun and durability

• Kikuyu – fast-growing and hardy

• Buffalo grass – shade-tolerant and low maintenance

• Zoysia – slow-growing and soft underfoot

• Ryegrass – cool-season grass, quick germination, often used for oversowing

• Fescue – another cool-season grass, known for its shade tolerance and soft feel

Each of these has unique mowing heights, watering needs, and fertiliser requirements. Knowing your grass type helps you tailor your lawn care routine so you don’t accidentally overdo or underdo maintenance.

Not sure what you’ve got? A quick photo comparison or local nursery visit can help you identify it. Once you do, your lawn care plan will be much more effective.

One of the biggest beginner mistakes in lawn care is mowing too short. Cutting your grass too low stresses it out, weakens the roots, and invites weeds. Follow this general lawn care rule: never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mow.

Here’s a guide to mowing heights:

• Couch: 10–25mm

• Kikuyu: 20–40mm

• Buffalo: 30–50mm

• Zoysia: 25-40mm

• Ryegrass: 15-30mm

• Fescue: 40–60mm

Cool-season grasses like ryegrass and fescue tend to grow taller and prefer more moisture, especially during warmer months. In contrast, warm-season grasses like couch and kikuyu thrive in full sun and grow more aggressively during spring and summer.

In warmer months, you’ll need to mow more frequently, sometimes weekly. In winter, most lawns slow down, and mowing can be reduced significantly. Keeping your mower blades sharp is another often-overlooked lawn care tip. Blunt blades tear the grass, causing brown tips and stress.

A good mower and a consistent routine go a long way in lawn care success.

Think of fertiliser as food for your grass. For beginners in lawn care, this is one of the most rewarding steps. A well-fed lawn becomes thick, green, and naturally chokes out weeds.

You’ll want to choose between:

• Liquid fertiliser – fast-acting, easy to apply (Pure Lawn Tips Mix is a great starter)

• Granular fertiliser – longer lasting, but slower results

Beginners can start with a liquid fertiliser, applying it every 4–6 weeks during active growing seasons (spring and summer). It’s an easy way to see quick improvement in colour and density.

You should also consider adding a wetting agent like Pure Wetter if your soil repels water, especially in summer. It ensures even moisture penetration, helping your lawn care routine go further.

Weeds are the #1 frustration for most lawn care beginners. The good news is that with a little knowledge, you can take back control. There are two main strategies:

A) Pre-emergent Herbicides

These stop weeds before they grow. Apply products like Spartan in early spring and autumn to prevent things like wintergrass and summer weeds from taking over.

B) Post-emergent Herbicides

If weeds are already visible, a selective herbicide like Bow and Arrow targets broadleaf weeds (clover, bindii, dandelion) without damaging your lawn.

Remember to always check the label and make sure the herbicide is safe for your grass type. Being proactive with weed control is one of the best lawn care moves you can make early on.

Lawn care isn’t about watering every day, it’s about watering deep and infrequent. Daily watering encourages shallow roots and increases disease risk. Instead, aim for:

• 1–2 deep waterings per week

• About 30–45 minutes per zone

• Early morning watering (before 10am) to reduce evaporation

Use a rain gauge or empty tuna can to track how much water your lawn is getting, aim for 10–15mm per watering session. Over time, your lawn will become more drought-tolerant and healthy.

For areas with hydrophobic soil, a wetting agent can help your lawn absorb and retain water more effectively, making this part of your lawn care routine much more efficient.

The biggest key in lawn care is consistency. You don’t need to do everything at once. Start with mowing, then slowly introduce fertilising and weed control. Track your results with a calendar or journal and adjust as needed.

You can also download or purchase the Lawn Tips Calendar to follow a monthly plan specific to Aussie lawns, a great guide for beginners trying to stay on track.

Lawn care doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these five essentials, understanding your grass type, mowing correctly, fertilising, controlling weeds, and watering properly, you’ll be well on your way to a thriving, green lawn.

The more you get into the habit of regular lawn care, the easier it becomes. And best of all, you’ll start to see the results: fewer weeds, stronger grass, and a yard you’re proud of.

Whether you’re completely new to lawn care or just looking to improve your routine, these tips will set you up for success. For more help, check out the full range of beginner-friendly products and guides at lawntips.net .