How do I get my lawn ready for summer in Adelaide?
Get it sorted before the real heat hits in late December and January. A lawn that goes into summer healthy handles the hot days a lot better than one that’s already struggling.
The best thing you can do is get it aerated, fertilised and a wetting agent put down, all at the same time. The aeration opens up the soil, so the fertiliser and wetting agent get straight down to the roots instead of sitting on top. We hollow tine from spring through to mid autumn, so it can be done any time over summer.
If water’s sitting on top or running off, the soil’s gone hydrophobic and isn’t soaking it up. That’s what the wetting agent fixes. We can put one down on its own, but most of ours go on as part of a program. Granular feeds are in every one of our lawn care programs too.
Then keep the water up. Your lawn needs at least 25mm a week over summer. Give it a couple of good deep soaks rather than a quick spray every day. That pushes the roots down deeper where it stays cooler. Early morning is best so less of it’s lost to the heat.
Leave a bit more length on it over summer. Longer grass shades the soil and holds moisture. Cutting it low in the heat is how lawns get scorched.
A thick layer of thatch stops water getting in, which shows up fast in summer. If your lawn feels spongy, scarifying gives it a chance to grow back a nice, healthier leaf. We scarify right through to late February.
Want a hand getting your lawn ready? Fill out the quote form and we’ll take a look. More answers on our lawn care FAQs.
