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Spring Into Action: Why Now's the Perfect Time for a Lawn Renovation
If your lawn has seen better days after a long, dry summer or a soggy winter, you're not alone. Bare patches, compacted soil, or a dull green colour are all signs your turf could use a little TLC. The good news? With a bit of know-how and the right approach, your lawn can bounce back better than ever.
A lawn renovation may sound overwhelming, but it simply means reviving an existing lawn rather than starting over from scratch. It's about giving your turf a second life; restoring its health, density and vibrant colour through a few targeted steps. Depending on your lawn's condition, this could include aerating compacted soil to let oxygen, nutrients and water reach the roots, top dressing to even out the surface and improve soil structure, overseeding to fill in bare patches, and feeding with quality fertiliser to boost growth and resilience.
In Victoria and southern regions, spring through to early autumn is the ideal renovation window. This is when warm-season grasses like Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo, TifTuf Hybrid Couch, Eureka Premium VG Kikuyu and Nullarbor Couch are actively growing, so they'll recover fast from any disturbance and quickly fill in bare spots. Avoid major renovations during the cold winter months, as warm-season turf is dormant and won't respond to fertilising or aeration well during this period.
How to renovate your lawn like a pro
Follow these simple steps to bring your lawn back to life:
Mow it low. Start by mowing your lawn shorter than usual to remove excess thatch and expose the soil surface. Be careful not to scalp it; aim to leave about one-third of the leaf blade.
Aerate the soil. Use a garden fork or mechanical aerator to relieve compaction and create pathways for air, water and nutrients. Focus on high-traffic areas like footpaths or play zones.
Apply top dressing. Spread a thin layer (5–10mm) of quality sandy loam or topsoil over the lawn. This helps improve drainage, smooth out uneven areas and encourages new growth.
Feed your lawn. After aerating and top dressing, apply a slow-release fertiliser such as Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser to stimulate recovery. This provides the nutrients your lawn needs to thicken up and green out fast.
Water wisely. Give your lawn a deep soak immediately after renovation and keep the soil consistently moist for 2–3 weeks. Deep, infrequent watering encourages stronger roots and is the secret to long-term drought resilience.
Maintain the momentum. Once your lawn starts responding, keep up with regular mowing, feeding and watering. Consider applying Oxafert in autumn or spring to control weeds and Seasol to strengthen the root system.
Coolabah Turf is an award-winning grower and supplier of premium instant turf for Victorian homes, councils and commercial projects. Whether you're breathing life into an old lawn or starting fresh, we supply drought-tolerant, self-repairing, environmentally smart turf varieties that thrive in Victorian conditions. Our most popular choice for home lawns is Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo; this soft-leaf buffalo tolerates full sun, shade, heat, frost and drought, making it incredibly versatile and resilient for DIY projects and family backyards.
