Melbourne Lawn Care Calendar

• Water deeply 2–3 times per week in early morning
• Raise mowing height to reduce heat stress
• Monitor for dry patches and adjust irrigation
• Spot-treat summer weeds (bindii, crabgrass)

Tip: Avoid fertilising in extreme heat — wait for a cooler spell.

• Continue deep watering schedule
• Keep mowing high (50–60mm for buffalo)
• Watch for lawn grub damage — brown patches that peel up
• Apply wetting agent if water is beading on soil surface

Tip: Brown patches that peel back like carpet? Likely grubs — treat promptly.

• Apply autumn fertiliser (slow-release, potassium-rich)
• Overseed thin or bare patches while soil is warm
• Begin lowering mowing height gradually
• Soil test if you haven't this year

Tip: Autumn is the #1 window for lawn renovation in Melbourne.

• Continue overseeding — soil still warm enough for germination
• Apply pre-emergent for winter weeds if needed
• Aerate compacted areas while soil has moisture
• Rake and remove leaf litter to prevent smothering

Tip: Aeration + overseeding in the same week gives seeds the best start.

• Last chance to overseed before temperatures drop
• Reduce mowing frequency as growth slows
• Clear fallen leaves regularly
• Check irrigation system and winterise if needed

Tip: Growth slows significantly — don't push the lawn with fertiliser now.

• Mow only when needed (every 3–4 weeks)
• Keep off frosted or waterlogged lawn
• Monitor for moss in shaded areas
• Plan renovations and improvements for spring

Tip: Walking on frosted grass crushes cell walls and causes brown footprints.

• Minimal mowing — just tidy edges if needed
• Avoid heavy traffic on dormant warm-season grass
• Address drainage issues while you can see where water pools
• Sharpen mower blades for spring

Tip: Winter is planning season — order seed, test soil, schedule spring aeration.

• Apply a light pre-spring fertilise (low nitrogen)
• Begin weed control — winter annuals are visible now
• Check for bare patches to address in September
• Service mower and edger for the growing season

Tip: Late winter weeds are easiest to spot before spring growth hides them.

• Apply spring fertiliser as growth kicks in
• Core aerate compacted areas
• Overseed thin spots (cool-season grasses)
• Resume regular mowing — lower height gradually

Tip: Spring aeration is the single biggest thing you can do for your lawn.

• Mow weekly — warm-season grasses accelerating
• Apply selective herbicide for broadleaf weeds
• Top-dress with sandy loam to level uneven spots
• Adjust irrigation for increasing temperatures

Tip: Top-dressing after aeration fills the cores and levels the surface.

• Apply slow-release summer fertiliser
• Increase watering as days get hotter
• Spot-treat any remaining weeds before summer
• Lay new turf if needed — warm soil, reliable rain

Tip: November is ideal for laying new buffalo or kikuyu turf.

• Raise mowing height for summer
• Water deeply but less frequently (encourages deep roots)
• Monitor for pests — army worm, curl grub
• Avoid fertilising during heatwaves

Tip: Deep, infrequent watering beats daily sprinkling every time.