Summer lawn care – lawn tips for healthy grass
Australian summers are made for backyard living. From slip-and-slides on the lawn to evening BBQs with friends, our outdoor spaces really come into their own.
But while we’re enjoying the sunshine, summer can be tough on lawns. Extreme heat, drying winds and long dry spells can all take their toll. Add in extra foot traffic and wear, and it’s no surprise lawns can start to look tired and stressed.
The good news? A little seasonal care goes a long way. Follow our top tips below to keep your lawn healthy, resilient and looking great right through summer.
Mow at the right time, the right way
The best time to mow is early morning or late afternoon, when it’s cooler. This helps reduce stress on the grass and lowers the chance of scorched or burnt tips.
How often you mow will depend on the season and how much rain you’re getting, but as a general guide, most lawns will need mowing every couple of weeks during summer.
As we head into the warmer months, don’t forget to raise the cutting height on your mower. The one-third rule is a great one to follow: try not to remove more than one-third of the grass blade each time you mow.
Leaving the grass slightly longer helps your lawn stay thicker and healthier, which:
- Smothers weeds naturally
- Encourages deeper roots
- Improves your lawn’s ability to cope with heat and dry conditions
Topdress and fertilise the lawn to build strength
Topdressing is a simple but effective way to improve the surface of your lawn. It helps fill in low spots and uneven areas that develop over time due to things like soil settling after a new lawn is installed, uneven turf thickness, or everyday wear and tear.
Heading into summer, you want your lawn to be well-fed, healthy and strong. Supplying the right nutrients before the dry season helps protect both the roots and the soil, making your lawn far more resilient to heat, dry conditions and increased foot traffic.
The best time to topdress is when your lawn is actively growing, as this allows the grass to recover quickly and grow through the topdressing material. For most Australian turf varieties, this means spring and summer.
To feed your lawn at the same time, all you need is:
- Scotts Lawn Builder All Purpose Slow Release Fertiliser
- A Scotts spreader for even coverage
Topdressing and fertilising together helps strengthen your lawn from the ground up, setting it up to perform better right through summer.
Aerate the lawn
Aerating your lawn helps it grow thicker and healthier by allowing the soil to breathe again. It involves creating small holes across the lawn surface, which improves drainage, relieves compaction and allows air, water and nutrients to move more freely down to the roots.
Aeration also helps break through the thatch layer — a build-up of dead and living stems, roots and leaves that can form between the grass and the soil over time. Too much thatch can block water and nutrients from reaching the root zone, slowing growth and weakening your lawn.
For heavily compacted lawns, hollow-tine aerators are the most effective option. These can include lawn aerator shoes or a simple hand tool like a garden fork or pitchfork for smaller areas.
The best time to aerate is spring, before the heat of summer arrives. At this time of year, the soil is usually moist enough for aeration to be effective, and the lawn has plenty of growing time to recover. Just be sure the ground isn’t waterlogged when you do it.
Aerating at the right time helps set your lawn up for stronger growth and better performance through the warmer months.
Water the lawn
Lawns can dry out quickly in summer, but smart watering is about using water efficiently, not using more of it. The key is to water deeply and less often, encouraging roots to grow deeper and making your lawn more resilient to heat and dry conditions.
If water isn’t available during dry periods, protect your lawn by avoiding foot traffic on dry grass. Walking on stressed turf can cause lasting damage.
Watering early in the morning gives your lawn the best chance to absorb moisture before heat and evaporation set in. Aerating your lawn before watering can also help water penetrate the soil more effectively, ensuring it reaches the root zone where it’s needed most.
To further improve water absorption and even distribution, apply Scotts Lawn Builder + Wetting Agent Slow Release Lawn Fertiliser. It helps water soak into the soil rather than running off, so every drop works harder for your lawn.
Be on lawn weed watch
Weeds can be especially frustrating in summer, when you want your lawn looking lush and weed-free. Common offenders like dandelions, cats-ear and other weeds with deep tap roots tend to thrive during dry conditions, while wetter periods can encourage different weeds to pop up more quickly.
Keeping an eye on what’s growing in your lawn makes control much easier. Correct identification helps you choose the right treatment and deal with weeds before they have a chance to spread.
To help you spot what you’re dealing with, take a look at our guide to the 11 most common lawn weeds.
A great lawn needs care throughout the year. Staying on top of seasonal maintenance helps keep your lawn strong, healthy and looking its best — and well on its way to being the envy of the street.
For more advice, explore our seasonal lawn care guides or head to our YouTube channel for practical tips and how-to videos.
