How to Keep Your Lawn Green & Healthy All Year Round

Simon Latham
Feb 12
4 min read

A lush, green lawn enhances your home's curb appeal and provides a welcoming outdoor space. However, maintaining a healthy lawn throughout the year requires proper care, seasonal adjustments, and preventative maintenance.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential lawn care practices, covering watering, fertilisation, aeration, and mowing—all designed to help you prevent dry patches, brown spots, and thinning grass.

1️⃣ Watering: The Key to Lawn Health

Proper watering is the foundation of a thriving lawn. Watering too much can drown the roots, while insufficient watering causes dry patches and weak growth.

Best Time to Water Your Lawn

Early morning (5 AM – 9 AM) is ideal to reduce evaporation and allow moisture to absorb properly.
Avoid watering in the evening, as moisture sitting overnight can encourage fungal growth.

How Often Should You Water?

Summer: 2-3 times per week, depending on heat and drought conditions.
Spring & Autumn: 1-2 times per week, adjusting based on rainfall.
Winter: Minimal watering needed unless experiencing prolonged dry periods.

Deep Watering vs. Light Watering

✅ Deep watering (2-3 times per week) encourages strong root development, leading to a more resilient lawn.❌ Frequent, shallow watering results in weak root systems and patchy growth.

Signs Your Lawn Needs More Water

Grass appears dull, grey, or brown.
Footprints stay visible longer than usual.
Soil feels dry and compacted when touched.

2️⃣ Fertilisation: Essential for a Healthy, Vibrant Lawn

A well-fed lawn is greener, denser, and more resistant to drought and disease. The right fertilisation schedule provides essential nutrients to maintain strong, healthy grass throughout the year.

Best Time to Fertilise

🟢 Spring: Apply a slow-release fertiliser to promote strong root growth.🔥 Summer: Use a light application to prevent burning in high heat.🍂 Autumn: Apply fertiliser to strengthen roots before winter dormancy.❄ Winter: Avoid fertilisation unless your lawn remains actively growing.

Choosing the Right Fertiliser

Slow-Release Granular Fertiliser (e.g., Scotts Lawn Builder) – Feeds your lawn for up to three months.
Liquid Fertiliser (e.g., Seasol Lawn & Turf Booster) – Provides an instant nutrient boost, ideal for stressed lawns.
Organic Fertiliser (e.g., Dynamic Lifter) – Enhances soil structure and microbial health for long-term sustainability.

Fertilisation Best Practices

✔ Apply fertiliser after mowing and before watering to allow nutrients to penetrate the soil.✔ Avoid over-fertilising, as excessive nitrogen can weaken grass and encourage disease.✔ If using liquid fertiliser, apply it every 2-4 weeks for consistent results.

3️⃣ Aeration: The Secret to Stronger, Healthier Grass

Over time, soil becomes compacted, restricting the movement of air, water, and nutrients. Aeration loosens the soil, promoting deeper root growth and better nutrient absorption.

When to Aerate Your Lawn

Spring or Autumn is ideal, as extreme heat or cold can stress the grass.
If your lawn is compacted, aerate at least once per year.
Signs You Need Aeration:✅ Water pools on the surface instead of soaking in.✅ Soil feels hard and is difficult to penetrate with a screwdriver.✅ Grass appears thin, weak, or patchy.

How to Aerate Your Lawn

Manual Hand Spiker – Suitable for small lawns or light compaction.
Core Aerator (Recommended for Best Results) – Removes soil plugs, creating deeper channels for water and nutrients.

💡 Pro Tip: After aerating, apply a soil wetter (e.g., Seasol Super Soil Wetter) to improve moisture absorption, followed by fertilisation to accelerate recovery.

4️⃣ Mowing: Cutting Your Lawn the Right Way

Regular mowing is essential to maintain thick, healthy turf. However, improper mowing techniques—such as cutting too short—can weaken grass and leave it vulnerable to weeds and disease.

How Often Should You Mow?

Summer: Every 1-2 weeks.
Spring & Autumn: Every 2-3 weeks.
Winter: Every 3-4 weeks (if necessary).

Recommended Mowing Heights

✂ Buffalo Grass: 35-50mm✂ Kikuyu Grass: 30-40mm✂ Couch Grass: 15-30mm

🚨 Cutting too short ("scalping") weakens the grass, making it more susceptible to drought and disease.

Best Mowing Practices

✔ Never remove more than 1/3 of the blade in one mow to avoid stressing the grass.✔ Ensure mower blades are sharp for a clean cut—dull blades cause ragged edges and brown tips.✔ Alternate mowing directions to prevent soil compaction and uneven wear.

5️⃣ Fixing Brown Patches & Dry Spots

If your lawn develops brown patches or uneven growth, it may be due to:

🚩 Insufficient water – Increase deep watering and apply a soil wetter.🚩 Compacted soil – Aerate affected areas to improve air circulation.🚩 Nutrient deficiency – Apply a balanced fertiliser to restore health.🚩 Too much shade – Consider reseeding with shade-tolerant varieties (e.g., Buffalo Grass).

How to Restore Brown Patches

1️⃣ Aerate the affected area to improve airflow and water absorption.2️⃣ Apply a soil wetter to assist in moisture retention.3️⃣ Fertilise and water deeply, ensuring nutrients penetrate the root system.4️⃣ Monitor for 3-4 weeks—grass should begin recovering and blending with healthy areas.

Final Thoughts: Achieving a Lush, Green Lawn Year-Round

A healthy lawn requires consistent care, proper watering, and seasonal fertilisation. By following these simple maintenance steps, you can keep your lawn vibrant and resilient all year round.

✅ Lawn Care Summary Checklist

✔ Water deeply but less frequently (especially in summer).✔ Fertilise seasonally to maintain strong, green growth.✔ Aerate compacted areas once per year for better root health.✔ Mow at the correct height to prevent scalping and promote density.✔ Address brown patches promptly to prevent further damage.

Would you rather leave the hard work to the professionals? Turf Brothers offers lawn mowing, aeration, fertilisation, and weed control services to keep your lawn looking its best.

📞 Get a FREE quote today! Contact us now and let’s transform your lawn into a lush, green paradise.