Lawn Care & Maintenance

Living on the South Coast of NSW, Eurobodalla, Bega and Shoalhaven, we all appreciate a lush, healthy lawn that thrives through our coastal summers and cool winters. At Southern Turf, we’re passionate about helping locals achieve a green, vibrant lawn that’s both hardy and easy to care for.

This guide covers everything you need to know — from mowing and watering to fertilising, aerating, and managing drought conditions — so your lawn stays beautiful all year round.

Mowing Your Lawn

Mowing is one of the most important parts of lawn care. A general rule of thumb: never remove more than one-third of the leaf blade per cut. Cutting too low (scalping) can stress your grass and make it vulnerable to weeds, heat, and disease.

For most South Coast lawns, aim to mow:

• Every 7–10 days in warmer months
• Every 3–6 weeks in cooler months

Keep your mower blades sharp, clean after each use, and make sure your air filter isn’t blocked. Always use genuine parts for best results.

Watering Your Lawn

The best time to water is early morning, between 4am and 10am, before the day heats up. This allows water to soak deeply into the soil while minimising evaporation.

Signs your lawn needs watering include:

• Leaf blades curling or losing colour
• Footprints or mower tracks visible for hours
• A dull, bluish-grey tint replacing vibrant green

Water deeply and infrequently to encourage strong root systems. Avoid watering in the evening to reduce the risk of fungal disease.

Lawn Care During Drought

Warm-season grasses like Palmetto Buffalo and Kikuyu, will naturally enter dormancy during extreme heat or low rainfall. Dormant lawns appear brown but are still alive beneath the surface.

Tips for drought survival:

• Minimise foot traffic
• Aerate to improve water penetration
• Remove debris and organic litter
• Water deeply but less often (every 1–2 weeks if restricted)
• Apply wetting agents
• Keep grass longer to retain soil moisture

Using Grey Water on Your Lawn

Grey water from showers, basins, and washing machines can help your lawn survive during water restrictions. Avoid using water from toilets.

Safe use guidelines:

• Choose low-phosphorus detergents
• Don’t store grey water longer than 24 hours
• Avoid use when soil is saturated
• Apply below the surface if possible

For a sustainable setup, consider a professional grey water treatment system for long-term reuse.

Fertilising Your Lawn

Fertilising provides essential nutrients for healthy growth and strong roots.

Test your soil’s pH first:

• pH below 6 (acidic): add potassium and magnesium
• pH above 7 (alkaline): add phosphorus and iron
• Ideal pH: around 6.5

Key nutrients:

• Nitrogen (N) – lush growth
• Phosphorus (P) – root strength
• Potassium (K) – drought resistance

Fertilise three times a year:

1. Early spring – recovery and green-up
2. Early summer – growth boost
3. Late autumn – winter preparation

Choose between slow-release, liquid, or organic fertilisers depending on your preference.

Top dressing rejuvenates your lawn and smooths uneven spots. Apply in early spring when grass is actively growing.

Steps:

1. Fertilise 1–2 weeks before top dressing
2. Spread a thin layer (no more than 1 cm) of sandy loam or organic mix
3. Rake evenly to blend with the grass tips

Avoid using heavy mixes on deep patches; lift the turf, fill underneath, and relay.

Aerating Your Lawn

Compacted soil restricts air, water, and nutrients. Aerating allows roots to breathe and grow deeper.

Signs your lawn needs aeration:

• Water pooling after rain
• Spongy feel underfoot
• Heavy use or poor drainage

Use a plug or spike aerator once in spring or autumn, ensuring the soil is moist (not dry or waterlogged).

Dethatching Your Lawn

Thatch is a build-up of dead stems and roots that can block air and nutrients. While a small layer is normal, too much suffocates your turf.

How to dethatch:

1. Mow low to expose thatch
2. Use a dethatching rake or vertimower
3. Rake up debris and water well afterward

Palmetto Buffalo benefits from dethatching every 2–3 years.

• Hand-pull small infestations
• Use a selective herbicide suited to your turf type
• Avoid spraying in hot or windy conditions

After treating, fertilise and water to help the grass recover and fill gaps quickly.

Organic lawn care supports soil health and sustainability. Use natural fertilisers like fish emulsion, compost, or seaweed extract. Avoid excessive chemical use and compost clippings where possible. With strong soil life, your lawn will stay lush and naturally green year-round.

Talk to Southern Turf

If you’re ready to take your lawn care to the next level, chat with the team at Southern Turf. We’re South Coast locals who understand our unique climate, soils, and grass varieties. From turf supply to long-term maintenance, we’re here to help your lawn thrive.