SPRING LAWN RENOVATION TIME
Why do you need to renovate your lawn?
Spring is arriving and lawns are about to go into a new growth phase. This is a great time to deal with any lawn issues you have following winter. A lawn renovation will improve the look and quality of your lawn and deal with thatchiness (a dense, matted lawn layer) and soil compaction.
A renovation can be especially important in states where winter is very cold and lawn soil temps have dropped dramatically, leaving the lawn discoloured and even a little dead looking (think Warm Season lawns like Couch/Buffalo/Kikuyu in a cold state like Victoria).
How to Renovate your Lawn
Work through the following steps for your lawn renovation. We have suggested products for use at each step.
- Spray out Weeds. Use a herbicide suitable for your turf. See our chemicals range including Bow and Arrow, Ravage and Monument.
- Fertilise your lawn 2 weeks prior to your renovation. Use All Season Reno or Best Nitrex Fertiliser at a rate of 3kgs per 100sqm.
- Apply WETT Up Wetting Agent a couple of days before your renovation and water your lawn thoroughly.
- Scalp or Scarify your lawn. Note: Scalping is very low mowing. Scarifying uses a machine with vertical blades to remove thatch (able to be hired).
- Clean up the lawn to remove any waste
- Core the lawn. Note: This is a process of removing plugs of soil with a Core Aeration machine (able to be hired) or by using a garden fork to make holes in the soil, allowing air, water and nutrients to reach the roots.
- Apply topdressing allowing some leaf to show through. Note: If you have good quality soil you can use a top dressing sand. If your soil is poor quality you should use a sandy loam soil. Local soil suppliers will be able to recommend.
- If overseeding is required* follow our overseeding steps with your chosen blend.
- Apply WETT Up Wetting Agent 1-2 weeks after topdressing.
- Water thoroughly
- Sit back and enjoy your hard work!
Important Note regarding your Turf Type:
Couch and Kikuyu lawns have underground runners so they can be mowed or scarified very low.
*Cool Season varieties (Perennial Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescues etc) we recommend a low mow and overseeding to boost the look and health of your lawn in Spring.
When to Renovate your Lawn
This is very important and depends entirely on your location. Follow the weather clues… when your lawn has begun to grow again after winter is the time to do it. Obviously Northern States like Queensland get the jump on states further south. Don’t be tempted to go too early!
And remember, the lawn might looked like it's been destroyed after following the steps above but it'll go bananas again in no time!