Spring Lawn Care Tips for a Healthy Aussie Lawn

Spring is the season of recovery and preparation. Your lawn has just come out of winter dormancy and is ready to grow again. But if you don’t provide the right nutrients and maintenance early on, weeds can take over, or the grass may struggle to fill in. A few key steps now can save you months of frustration later.

Key reasons spring lawn care is essential:

• Encourages strong root and shoot growth

• Prepares your lawn to out-compete weeds

• Restores nutrients lost over winter

• Reduces risk of lawn disease and compaction

Start the season with a light mow. Don’t scalp it right away—wait until the grass is actively growing. Gradually lower the height over your first few mows if needed.

• Mow regularly as the growth speeds up

• Keep your mower blades sharp

• Remove no more than one-third of the grass blade at a time

• Catch clippings early on if winter weeds have gone to seed

Mowing encourages lateral growth, especially for couch and kikuyu. If done properly, it’ll help your lawn thicken up as spring progresses.

Fertilising in spring gives your lawn the nutrients it needs to come back strong. After months of cold, your turf is hungry for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Start with:

• Dominate Fertiliser – to promote quick green-up and strong growth in the early part of spring

Then follow up with:

• Pure Balance – for even nutrient coverage

• Pure Iron+ – to deepen green colour

• Pure Seaweed+ – for soil health and recovery

• Pure Colour+ – to improve colour and reduce stress

Apply granular fertiliser like Dominate first, then switch to liquid fertilisers after 2–3 weeks to maintain colour and overall health.

As your lawn wakes up, so do the weeds. It’s important to jump on them before they take over.

Apply:

• Pre-emergent herbicides like Spartan in early spring to stop summer weeds like crowsfoot and crabgrass

• Bow and Arrow for broadleaf weeds like bindii, clover, and oxalis

Tips:

• Don’t apply pre-emergents too late, soil temps matter

• Avoid mowing for a few days before and after herbicide application

• Target weeds early when they’re easier to control

Controlling weeds now means you’ll have a cleaner, thicker lawn heading into summer.

As temperatures rise in spring , so does your lawn’s water demand. Avoid shallow, frequent watering and instead encourage deeper root growth.

• Water 2–3 times a week (if rain isn’t regular)

• Early morning is best to prevent fungal issues

• Use Pure Wetter to improve water penetration in hydrophobic soils

• Adjust watering based on your lawn type and soil condition

Proper watering is one of the most overlooked yet vital spring lawn care habits.

If your lawn is patchy or compacted after winter, spring is a great time to fix it.

Renovation steps:

• Aerate to reduce compaction and improve oxygen flow

• Topdress with sand or a sandy loam mix

• Overseed or plug thin areas (especially for cool-season turf)

• Water consistently for establishment

You can also scarify if your lawn is full of thatch, which often builds up over winter. For couch and kikuyu lawns, this will encourage aggressive regrowth.

Warmer spring temps mean increased insect activity. Look for signs of:

• African black beetle grubs

• Armyworm

• Fungal issues in overwatered or shaded areas

Apply Acelepryn if you notice birds pecking or spongy patches, it’s a sign grubs may be at work.

Giving your lawn a proper boost in spring sets the tone for a healthy, green lawn all summer long. Focus on mowing, fertilising, weed control, and water management and don’t forget renovation if needed. Whether you’re starting from scratch or just fine-tuning, spring is the best time to invest in your lawn’s long-term health.

Keep an eye on soil temps, adjust as the weather shifts, and you’ll be well ahead of the curve this season.