I bought a new house a couple of months ago, and during winter, the lawn was fine. Now that it’s summer, we’ve had a few hot days, and I went on holiday for a week, so my lawn looks pretty dry.
Could someone please help me identify what type of lawn I have and how I can restore it to a lush condition?
Location: Melbourne, Australia.
Try using a wetting agent mixed with fertilizer, and seriously, cut those edges!
Encourage deep root growth. Extended dry heat causes the soil to dry out; first, the surface dries, and then deeper layers become dry as well. The deeper your roots, the more heat-tolerant your lawn will be.
Get a soil test to balance the minerals and manage the pH. In the meantime, try to keep it watered, but it can be tough during intense heat.
I’m also in Melbourne and quite passionate about lawn care. I installed irrigation, which helps. It’s an uphill battle; you’ll need to water frequently and keep applying soil wetter, which needs to be watered in too.
If you’re okay with a big water bill, soak it well. If not, just hope for rain and wait for cooler weather to see it green back up. Lawn care in Australia can be an expensive hobby.
@Val
Do many people use rainwater tanks to capture water from the roof?
Teo said:
@Val
Do many people use rainwater tanks to capture water from the roof?
Yes, probably more common in rural areas.
Consider coring the lawn, watering deeply and less frequently, and applying a wetting agent.
Head to Bunnings and grab a couple of 180-degree throw sprinklers to put on the edges, and get a cheap battery timer for your tap to automatically water once a day for a short period. Your lawn will bounce back in a couple of weeks.
Also, it could benefit from dethatching.
