If your lawn has come out of winter looking a little tired, patchy or flat, don’t panic. This is the moment to give it a proper reset. As the weather warms and the grass starts growing again, a lawn renovation can make all the difference between a lawn that limps into summer and one that bounces back thick, green and ready for backyard life.

Step 1. Start with the weeds

There’s no point feeding and watering the lawn if half the effort is going into helping the weeds grow too. Remove them by hand where you can, or use a suitable lawn-safe weed treatment for larger areas, making sure it’s right for your lawn type.

Step 2. Next, aerate

After months of winter rain, foot traffic and compacted soil, lawns need air down at the root zone. A garden fork or a proper lawn corer will all help open the soil up so water, oxygen and fertiliser can get where they’re needed.  Don't bother with the silly sandals - they don't go deep enough and will be a waste of money.

Step 3. Dethatching

If your lawn has a thick layer of thatch, it will need dethatching

For couch, kikuyu and zoysia lawns, this can be more vigorous, drop your mower low and remove most of the lawn. If you have buffalo, be careful. Buffalo doesn’t like being scalped hard, so go gently and avoid cutting it back too brutally. The aim is to remove the built-up dead material, not punish the lawn into submission.

Step 4. Top dress

Once the dethatching is done, top dress lightly to even out dips and improve the soil surface

Don’t bury the grass. A thin layer worked into the lawn is all you need, a soil spreading rake will give you a bowling green finish but if you don't have one of those a flat piece of timber works just as well. Follow with a good lawn fertiliser to kickstart fresh growth, then water it in well.

Step 5. Watering

Watering is the key after renovation. Keep the moisture consistent while the lawn recovers, especially through warmer or windy days. This isn’t the time to let it dry out. Just as importantly, stay off it as much as possible for a couple of weeks. Let the roots re-establish and the new growth thicken before the kids, dogs and backyard cricket return.

When it does bounce back, resist the urge to mow too low. Raise the mower height a little and only take off the tips at first. Regular light mowing will encourage the lawn to thicken up without stressing it.

A good lawn renovation can look a bit rough before it looks good, but don’t lose faith. Give it air, food, water and a little breathing space, and it will reward you with that soft green carpet we all want underfoot. 🌱