Ahhhh, that satisfying feeling of stepping barefoot onto a perfectly trimmed, lush green lawn — there’s truly nothing like it. A healthy lawn isn’t just a pleasure for the senses; it’s also an investment that pays dividends. A well-maintained lawn can return 100% or more of your investment when it’s time to sell your property.

Whether you’re a seasoned homeowner or someone just beginning to take lawn care seriously, understanding what your grass needs through each season is the secret to having that envy-inducing yard. Let’s walk through the complete guide to caring for your lawn from early spring through fall, ensuring it remains thick, green, and beautiful.

Early Spring Lawn Care Tips

Just like any maintenance task, lawn care is all about preparation. Spring is when your grass begins to awaken from its winter dormancy, and setting the stage early makes all the difference.

1. Sharpen Your Mower Blades

Start by sharpening your mower blades. A dull blade doesn’t slice — it tears the grass. This leaves jagged edges that discolor the lawn and make it vulnerable to diseases. Experts recommend sharpening mower blades once a month during cutting season. Having a spare blade on hand (usually around $20) means you can swap them out as needed without delays.

2. Tune-Up Your Mower

Get your mower running at its best with a simple tune-up. Replace the spark plug (around $3–$5) and air filter ($5–$10). These parts don’t always need to be changed yearly, but it’s a quick job and offers peace of mind.

3. Use Fresh Gasoline

Gasoline left over from winter, especially those with ethanol, may have absorbed moisture and can damage your mower’s engine. Safely dispose of old fuel at designated municipal drop-off points and fill your tank with fresh gasoline.

4. Clean the Lawn

Rake away fallen branches, twigs, and layers of wet leaves. Organic debris left on the lawn can smother grass and create a breeding ground for pests and fungal diseases. A clear lawn ensures fertilisers and herbicides penetrate effectively.

Spring Lawn Maintenance

As temperatures warm up, your grass will begin growing more rapidly — a clear sign that mowing season is here. However, avoid mowing while the grass is wet to prevent spreading diseases and clogging your mower.

1. Fertilise Strategically

Fertilising in spring depends on your location. In colder regions (like the northern third of Australia), fall fertilisation is more beneficial as grasses store nutrients in their roots before winter. In warmer regions, spring is ideal for fertilisation as the grass enters its peak growth cycle.

Expect to spend around $50 to $75 per application for an average 1/4-acre lawn. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully for best results.

2. Aeration

Aerating your lawn allows water, air, and nutrients to reach the roots more efficiently. Choose a day when the soil is slightly moist, not soggy, to ensure the aerator performs well. If compacted soil is a recurring issue, aeration in both spring and fall may be beneficial.

3. Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicides

To combat crabgrass and other nuisance weeds before they germinate, apply a pre-emergent herbicide. Use a soil thermometer (typically $10 to $20) to determine when soil temperatures reach 14°C (58°F), the optimal time for application.

Early Summer Lawn Care

As summer approaches, so do new lawn care challenges — like pest infestations and fast-growing weeds.

1. Watch for Grubs

Grubs are the larvae of beetles and can devastate your lawn’s root system. If you notice brown patches or wilting, peel back a small section of turf. Finding more than 10 white, C-shaped grubs per square foot suggests an infestation.

You can treat grubs using chemical pesticides or environmentally friendly options like milky spore, which works well against Japanese beetles. Expect to pay around $50 to $75 per application.

2. Stay on Top of Mowing

Mow frequently — ideally removing no more than 1/3 of the grass blade height at a time. Cutting too much at once stresses the grass and inhibits healthy growth.

3. Handle Weeds

Some weeds will inevitably escape herbicide treatments. Remove these manually with a garden fork or apply a post-emergent herbicide if they become overwhelming. Spot treating is often more effective and environmentally friendly than blanket spraying.

Peak Summer: Smart Watering and Maintenance

The heat is on, and water becomes the most critical element in lawn survival. But how you water matters just as much as how much you water.

1. Raise Your Mower Height

Set your mower blades to 3 inches or higher. Taller grass shades the soil, keeps roots cooler, retains moisture better, and helps crowd out weeds.

2. Water Deeply and Infrequently

Rather than daily light sprinklings, aim for deep watering once or twice per week, totalling about 1 inch of water. This encourages deep root growth and makes your lawn more drought-resistant.

If water restrictions are in place, prioritise watering early in the morning to reduce evaporation.

3. Use Tools to Measure Water

Place pie tins or tuna cans around your lawn to measure sprinkler output. A rain gauge ($5 to $20) is also a worthwhile investment to track natural rainfall.

4. Maintain Equipment Hygiene

At least monthly, clean your mower deck to prevent the spread of lawn diseases. Also, clear large clumps of clippings, twigs, or leaves to allow proper airflow and prevent suffocation of the grass.

Early Fall Lawn Repair

As temperatures begin to cool, this is the best time to patch bare spots and rejuvenate tired-looking turf.

How to Patch Bare Areas:

• Remove dead grass and loosen the soil with a trowel.

• Mix in an inch of compost to enhance soil health.

• Select the correct grass seed based on whether the area gets full sun or shade.

• Spread the seed and rake it lightly into the soil (about ½ inch deep).

• Cover with a thin layer of grass clippings to retain moisture.

• Water lightly daily until new grass reaches about an inch tall.

Need help choosing the right grass variety? A View Turf, a leading supplier of high-quality turf, offers expert guidance and top-notch varieties perfect for Australian conditions — whether you’re working with sun-soaked open spaces or shaded backyards.

Fall Lawn Maintenance

Don’t let your lawn go just because summer is over. Fall is essential for prepping your grass for winter and the next growth cycle.

1. Keep It Clean

Use a mulching mower to chop up fallen leaves and return valuable nutrients to the soil. Just be sure to remove any heavy clumps that could suffocate the grass.

2. Fertilise Before Dormancy

In cooler climates, apply a final round of fertiliser in fall. This allows grass to store energy in its roots over winter, so when spring returns, your lawn can grow in stronger and greener than before.

3. Reseed If Needed

If your lawn is still looking patchy after summer, consider overseeding. Fall’s cooler temperatures and increased rainfall create optimal conditions for seed germination and root development.

Final Thoughts

A vibrant, well-maintained lawn doesn’t happen by accident — it requires a year-round commitment to mowing, feeding, watering, and protecting your grass. By adjusting your lawn care routine for each season, you set yourself up for success.

From spring aeration to summer pest control and fall fertilisation, every step plays a vital role. Partnering with expert suppliers like A View Turf ensures you’re starting with premium-quality turf varieties suited to your soil and climate — giving you a head start toward achieving that dream lawn.

So go ahead, kick off your shoes, and enjoy the soft, lush comfort of your healthy lawn. Not only will it be the envy of the neighbourhood, but it might also add serious value when it’s time to sell.