Rejuvenate Your Lawn: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Lush, Green Lawn
There’s nothing quite like a lush, green lawn to enhance your garden’s beauty. If your lawn isn't looking its best, follow these steps to bring it back to life. Whether your lawn is tired and worn out or needs a little boost, we have the tips for a healthier, greener lawn.
Step 1: Spraying for Weeds
Begin by spraying your lawn with a selective weed killer to target broadleaf weeds without harming the grass. Some top products include Yates Turfix and KiwiCare Turf Clean, both effective at killing weeds like clover, daisies, and Onehunga (prickle weed).
If you're dealing with weeds that resemble grass, such as crabgrass, use a non-selective weed killer like Kiwicare ‘Weed Weapon’ or RoundUp. Be sure to spot-spray these products carefully, as they kill everything, including your lawn.
After spraying, wait at least one day for the product to dry before watering or waiting for rain. This ensures the spray has time to work effectively.
Step 2: Removal of Weeds
Once the weeds are dead, mow your lawn to a 2-3 cm height. Be sure to catch and remove all clippings, as this helps prevent the spread of weeds and ensures a clean surface for the next steps.
Next, hire a de-thatcher, a machine that removes the layer of dead organic matter and old grass blades from the soil. This exposes the soil, essential for new seeds to take root.
Step 3: Levelling the Lawn
If your lawn has dips or low spots where puddles form, use topsoil to fill these areas. Gently heel the soil in to level the surface.
Step 4: Filling in Gaps
To help your lawn fill in, spread grass seed at 30g per square meter. Follow up with a light raking to work the seed into the soil. This will help create a denser lawn and improve its overall appearance.
Step 5: Fertilising Your Lawn
Fertilising is key to a healthy lawn. Two top choices for lawn fertilisers are Oderings Lawn Replenish. These products release nutrients slowly over three months and offer great value in the long run. You’ll see results within 7-10 days and don’t need to water them immediately.
If you're on a budget, Tui Lawn Fertiliser is a good option. These are slightly less forgiving than premium brands, so be careful when applying them to avoid burning. Water these fertilisers immediately after application to avoid this risk.
For older lawns (6+ months), Kiwicare LawnPro Turfclean & Green is an excellent all-in-one product that kills weeds, feeds the grass, and boosts its colour. It’s easy to apply directly from the hose.
Step 6: Mowing
Frequent mowing promotes healthy growth and a high-quality lawn. A common question is whether leaving the clippings on the lawn is okay. The answer is yes! Clippings decompose over time and recycle nutrients back into the soil. If you want them to break down faster, use a D-Thatcher to speed up the process. However, be mindful that poor air circulation can lead to disease, so regularly mowing for a healthy lawn.
Step 7: Watering
Watering your lawn depends on the season and weather conditions. Pay attention to when your lawn starts to look stressed—yellowing, wilting, or slowing growth are all signs it needs water. Don’t ignore these signals; give your lawn the hydration it needs to stay lush and green.
Now, your lawn is ready for you to kick back and enjoy! With these steps, you’ll have a thick, green, weed-free lawn that’s the envy of the neighbourhood.
