Summer in Australia brings many exciting and wonderful things but a dead lawn after it makes the summer less loving. However, the season can not be fully blamed because a dead lawn in Australia means the underlying soil is unhealthy and hydrophobic. But there is pleasing news for the lawn lover that not all brown lawns are dead. Some are just on the edge of dying and need your care and some work and more than just water. 

While many popular turf types in Australia are hard and drought-tolerant, when there is not enough water in the soil, your lawn will begin to die. Heat stress will see this brilliant plant remove water from its leaves to keep itself alive, which results in the leaves turning blue or brown, curving up and becoming very dry. If you let your lawn die fully, it will not come back in winter. If you are dealing with this situation, do not worry, restoring your lawn is possible with the right approach.

In this blog, we will offer you a complete guide on how to revive a dead lawn after summer to help you save it before you lose it completely. So read this blog till the end and get the help you want.

Step To Revive a Dead Lawn

Check if Your Lawn is Truly Dead or Not

It is important to check whether the lawn is truly dead or not to follow the next step. You can study it in many ways.

• Hold the brown grass in your hand and pull it gently. If it is hard to remove that means it is still alive and if it does not oppose and is easy to remove, then it is dead.

• Inspect the base of the grass. If the base of the grass is green or white, it means it can revive. If it is brown, there is no chance of saving it as it is already dead.

• Water the brown part regularly for 1 to 2 weeks. If the grass shows no signs of getting green after every day of watering, it is likely to be dead.

• If the whole lawn gets brown, it indicates it is alive. While the dead lawn shows signs like irregular, circular or patchy brown spots.

Remove Dead Material 

• Removing dead material from the lawn is the method of removing the coating of dead organic matter, moss and weeds that grows between the grass blades and the soil surface. This process allows air, water and nutrients to reach the roots and prevent suffocation and promotes a healthier and thicker lawn.

• The best time to remove dead material is when the grass is growing properly and can recover quickly like in the spring and autumn seasons. Do not scarify in summer or winter as it can damage the grass.

• Make sure to do after-care to keep your grass greener and healthier for a long period of time.

Boost the Soil

• The heat of summer usually results in dry and compacted soil that limits root growth, oxygen and water supply. That is why lawn recovery after summer. Boosting the Soil helps in restoring your dead lawn.

• Water your soil 1 to 2 days before Boosting to make sure it is wet and not muddy.

• Use a garden fork to dig in the ground and make a hole to make space for air.

• Make holes 10 to 15 cm distant in the soil. It helps oxygen, water and roots to go deeper in the soil.

 Improve Soil 

• Add natural substances to improve the supply of water and nutrition to the soil.

• Use manure to preserve water, reduce weeds, and manage temperatures.

• Grow cover crops to prevent the soil from declining, improve the soil and add nutrients to it.

• Check the soil on a regular basis to know if they need any special substance changes.

• Use natural fertilisers to supply nutrients to it without harming the soil.

• Do not work in the garden when the soil is wet and avoid walking on planting beds to keep the soil light and absorptive.

Reseed or Returf if needed

• Suppose your lawn is already dead by more than 60 per cent. It is best to returf it for a new start. If it is just thin, then reseed it to save money and effort.

• If large patches are dead, use a large amount of seeding on the lawn with suitable grass types.

• Cover the seeds with soil and keep them wet to make them grow properly.

• Use turf rolls to get faster results.

 Water Smartly

• Watering your lawn in a proper and smart way is important to prevent it from dying. Water them in the morning to allow them to dry fast and reduce the risk of diseases.

• Follow the deep watering rule to keep them wet from the root. It is more useful than watering them lightly every day.

• Do not water your lawn in the evening or too much as it can damage the grass.

• Use your finger to poke in the soil and check the moisture level to know when to water again.

• Apply natural substances around plants to maintain soil moisture and control weeds and keep roots cool.

 Adjust Cutting Habits

• Never cut more than one third of the grass blade together and avoid cutting wet grass to nurture the soil.

• Keep changing the direction of cutting regularly to control soil compaction and leaning grass.

• Adjust cutting height during drought or hot weather to protect roots and reduce water stress.

• Do not cut during the hottest part of the day.

• Do not cut the grass when they are wet as it can create a risk of many diseases.

 Control Weeds  and Pests

• Remove the weed entirely by its roots, especially for dandelions.

• Start using a non-selective and eco-friendly herbicide to kill everything with the process followed by reseeding.

• Correct labelling of the insect is important for effective treatment.

• Use a fungicide to treat patches and protect your lawn.

Be Patient

• Restoring the lawn is not magic. It is a process that requires patience and regular effort. 

• It takes many weeks of consistent watering and maintenance to have improvement and a green lawn.

• Irregular watering or maintenance can damage your lawn even more.

Final thoughts 

The lawn is an important part of every house in Australia. It protects your garden, adds great style to your house and provides a green and healthy environment to play and rest. But after a long and harsh Australian summer, it’s common to step outside and find your once green lawn looking dry, patchy or completely lifeless. Too much heat, water restrictions and prolonged dry spells can damage even the healthiest grass. However, with better care and watering, you can revive your dead lawn.

But it is not easy to provide all the necessary care and maintenance to your lawn with busy schedules. That is why Genie Mowing exists to help you. Our professional lawn care services guarantee a green and healthy lawn with the help of regular cutting, precision edging, removing dead material and fertilisation. Our expert weed control and pest management maintain fresh and green grass while enhancing curb appeal. We specialise in professional garden maintenance and cleaning services across Australia and help homeowners bring their outdoor spaces back to life. Remove the thick layer of grass and garbage with us. Our lawn recovery service improves soil condition, water absorption and grass health in your lawn. This ensures a leafy, green and fresh lawn.