Top 5 Lawn Mistakes Aussie Homeowners Should Avoid

Most Aussie homeowners want a green, healthy lawn — but many run into trouble by making a few common lawn mistakes without even realising it. Whether it’s mowing too short, overwatering, or using the wrong fertiliser, these missteps can quickly turn a good lawn into a patchy, stressed-out mess.

In this guide, we’ll cover the top 5 lawn care mistakes made in Australia, how to avoid them, and what to do instead. Fixing these issues can make a huge difference, especially when paired with the right lawn products and a seasonal plan.

One of the most common lawn mistakes is mowing too short in an attempt to reduce how often you need to mow. It might save you time in the short term, but it’s one of the fastest ways to damage your turf.

Why It’s a Lawn Mistake:

• Reduces leaf area, limiting energy production

• Increases heat stress, especially in summer

• Exposes soil, encouraging weed invasion

Fixing Mistake:

• Adjust your mower height depending on your grass type:

  • Buffalo: 30–50mm

  • Couch: 15–25mm

  • Kikuyu: 20–40mm

• Never remove more than one-third of the blade at a time (unless doing a height reset or renovation)

• Sharpen or replace blades frequently.

This is one of the easiest lawn mistakes to correct — and it makes a big impact on lawn health almost immediately.

Overwatering is another frequent lawn care mistake that causes more damage than most people realise. It promotes shallow roots and invites fungal problems. On the other hand, underwatering leads to drought stress and patchy growth.

Signs You’re Making This Lawn Mistake:

• Water sits on the surface without soaking in

• Lawn develops shallow roots and wilts in heat

• Fungus appears from overwatering in shaded spots

• Lawn feels crispy or turns brown from drought stress

Fixing Mistake:

• Water deeply and less frequently — 2 to 3 times per week in summer, as needed in winter

• Use a wetting agent like Pure Wetter if water is pooling or running off

• Water early morning to reduce disease risk and evaporation

Out of all the lawn mistakes, this one is often seasonal — people overdo it in summer or forget to adjust in winter.

Choosing the wrong fertiliser is a major lawn mistake that often goes unnoticed until problems like burning, streaking, or patchy growth start showing up.

Mistakes to Avoid:

• Applying high-nitrogen fertilisers in winter when the grass is dormant

• Over-fertilising, especially during drought

• Not balancing potassium and phosphorus for root strength

Fixing Mistake:

• Use slow-release or maintenance fertilisers depending on the season:

  •  Dominate – for stronger spring/summer growth

  •  Proliferate – for regular use and winter maintenance

  
  

• Apply every 6–8 weeks during growing season

• Use a spreader or sprayer for even distribution

This is one of those lawn care mistakes that’s easily fixed by using the right product at the right time.

One of the costliest lawn mistakes is ignoring weeds until they’ve already spread or dropped seed. Once that happens, you’re in for a long-term battle.

Lawn mistakes to Watch Out For:

• Letting weeds like bindii, clover, winter grass, and oxalis spread before treating

• Ignoring early signs like lighter green patches or fast-spreading clumps

• Overlooking thinning turf and bare spots until they become major problems

Fixing Mistake:

• Spot-spray with a selective herbicide like:

  • Bow and Arrow – For broadleaf weeds, on all grass varieties

  • Odessa – for controlling visible winter grass

• For prevention, use a pre-emergent like:

  • Spartan – apply in autumn to stop winter weeds before they germinate

Weed control is one of those lawn mistakes that’s often about timing — prevent early, don’t wait until it’s a problem.

Many homeowners pause their lawn care routine in winter, thinking nothing can be done. But this seasonal lawn mistake can lead to poor colour, weed takeover, and slow spring recovery.

Why this is a mistake:

• Weeds thrive when turf is dormant

• Colour loss can be worsened without nutrition

• Traffic on soft or frosty grass causes compaction

Fixing Mistake:

• Apply a winter maintenance fertiliser like The Pure Lawn Tips Mix

• Use a lawn pigment like Pure Colour for instant green-up without pushing growth

• Avoid walking or mowing when the lawn is wet or frosty

Skipping winter care is one of the most common lawn mistakes in Australia, but with a few small tweaks, your lawn will look better year-round.

Lawn care isn’t complicated — but it does require avoiding the most common lawn mistakes that can derail your progress. By mowing at the right height, watering properly, feeding with the right fertiliser, and staying on top of weeds (especially before they spread), you’ll keep your lawn in top shape year-round.

Looking for a plan to keep things simple and avoid these mistakes? Download our Free Lawn Calendar.