You know that moment when your “manageable” lawn turns into jungle chaos overnight?
Spring hits Australia and your lawn goes mental. One week it’s dormant, the next it’s growing faster than you can keep up. Whether you’re a landscaper dealing with client complaints or a homeowner wondering why your mower can’t cope, you’re not alone.
Here’s how to manage spring’s growth explosion without losing your mind.
Why Does Your Lawn Turn Into a Green Monster in Early Spring?
When soil temperatures hit 12-15°C, your grass wakes up hungry. Winter’s over, roots are active again, and every blade wants to grow. Cool season grasses like couch and kikuyu start their growing season with a serious attitude.
This rapid green growth catches most people off guard. Your existing lawn that looked fine all winter suddenly needs attention every week. Clients start calling about “uncontrollable growth” and wondering if something’s wrong with their turf.
Expect the growth surge and plan for it. Spring lawn care isn’t about slowing growth down – it’s about managing it properly so your lawn stays healthy instead of stressed.
What Should You Do for Your First Mow of Spring?
Most lawns haven’t been cut properly since autumn. Your mower blades might be blunt, grass is long, and there’s probably debris scattered across the entire area from winter storms.
| Issue | Effect | Best Practice |
| Blunt mower blades | Tears grass, causes disease | Sharpen mower blades regularly |
| Cutting too much grass at once | Shocks grass, causes bare patches | Cut no more than one-third of grass height |
| Leaving grass too long | Mower struggles, clumps grass clippings | Start with a high cut, then gradually lower |
| Debris on lawn | Uneven cut, mower damage risk | Clear debris before mowing |
Cutting too much off in your first mow shocks the grass and creates bare patches. But leaving it too long means your lawn mower struggles, grass clippings clump everywhere, and you end up with an uneven cut that looks amateur.
Start with a high cut and work down gradually. Clean your air filter, sharpen those mower blades, and never cut more than one-third of the grass height. For established lawns, this means multiple cuts over several weeks to get back to normal height.
When Should You Start Fertilising in Spring?
Your lawn’s been living off stored nutrients all winter. Now it needs feeding to support all that new growth. But timing matters – too early and you waste money, too late and growth gets patchy.
The perfect time for spring fertilising is when soil temperatures consistently stay above 12°C and grass starts showing green growth. This usually happens mid spring in most Australian locations, but varies by state.
Choose between slow release fertiliser for steady feeding or liquid fertiliser for quick results. Slow release gives even distribution over months, while liquid fertiliser provides immediate nitrogen boost for instant green-up.
Should You Use Granular or Liquid Fertiliser This Spring?
Your local garden centre stocks both fertiliser types, and not everyone knows which works better for spring conditions. Granular fertiliser needs moisture to activate, while liquid fertiliser works immediately but doesn’t last as long.
Spring’s unpredictable weather makes this choice critical. Dry spells mean granular fertiliser sits there doing nothing. Wet periods can wash liquid fertiliser away before grass absorbs nutrients.
Use both fertiliser options strategically. Start with liquid fertiliser for immediate green-up, then apply granular fertiliser for sustained feeding through the growing season. This gives you quick results and long-term nutrition.
How Do You Handle Spring’s Weed Explosion?
Spring’s warmth doesn’t just wake up your grass – it activates every weed seed that’s been waiting all winter. Flat weeds like dandelions spread across small areas, while other weed types take advantage of any bare patches in your lawn.
Most weed types love spring conditions just as much as your grass does. They compete for nutrients, water, and space. Left unchecked, weeds can overtake entire sections, especially in high traffic areas where grass is already stressed.
Attack early before weeds establish. Use a spray applicator for targeted treatment, or remove weeds manually with a garden fork. The key is getting them before they set seed and spread to new areas.
What’s the Deal with Watering in Spring?
Spring weather confuses everyone about watering. Some days are hot, others are cool. Rain comes and goes. Your lawn’s growing fast but soil moisture levels keep changing.
Most lawn types need consistent moisture to support spring growth, but overwatering creates weak roots and encourages thatch build up. Underwatering stresses new growth and creates dry spots that turn into problem areas later.
Water deeply but less frequently. Check soil moisture with a screwdriver – if it penetrates easily to 10cm, you’re good. If not, it’s time to water. Add a soil wetting agent to help moisture penetrate compacted soil and save water by improving absorption.
Why Do You Need Different Care for Different Lawn Varieties?
Your clients might have couch, kikuyu, buffalo, or zoysia. Each turf variety has different spring needs. Cool season grasses peak in spring, while warm season varieties are just getting started.
| Turf Variety | Season Type | Spring Care Needs |
| Couch | Warm Season | Steady feeding as weather warms, fast growth, regular watering |
| Kikuyu | Warm Season | Steady fertilising, good moisture, monitor for overgrowth |
| Buffalo | Warm Season | Less nitrogen needed, shade tolerant, moderate watering |
| Zoysia | Warm Season | Handles spring differently, drought tolerant, slow growth initially |
Using the same approach for all lawn types means some get over-fed while others stay hungry. Buffalo grass needs less nitrogen than a couch. Zoysia handles spring differently than kikuyu.
Learn your turf varieties and adjust care accordingly. Warm season grasses need steady feeding as weather warms, while cool season varieties need immediate nutrition to support their spring peak.
How Do You Fix Compacted Soil This Spring?
Winter foot traffic, equipment, and weather leave soil compacted in many areas. Heavy foot traffic zones around gates and paths are worst affected. Compacted soil blocks air and water from reaching grass roots.
No amount of fertiliser or water fixes compacted soil. Grass struggles to grow, nutrients can’t penetrate the soil profile, and you end up with patchy, unhealthy areas that look bad all season.
Aerate problem areas before the main growing season starts. Use a garden fork for small areas or hire proper aeration equipment for large spaces. This lets air, water, and nutrients reach grass roots where they’re needed.
What’s Your Spring Maintenance Game Plan?
Spring lawn maintenance isn’t complicated, but it needs the right timing and approach. Start early, feed properly, water wisely, and stay on top of weeds before they become problems.
Your lawn’s spring fever is actually good news – it means your grass is healthy and ready to grow. Work with that energy instead of fighting it, and you’ll have lawns that look great all summer.
Remember, spring growth is temporary. Get the basics right now – proper mowing, targeted fertilising, smart watering, and early weed control – and you’ll coast through the rest of the year with lawns that practically look after themselves.
The best time to fix lawn problems is before they start. Spring gives you that chance.