If you’re a homeowner in Perth, you know that maintaining a healthy and well-manicured lawn can be a daunting task. With our hot and dry climate, it’s important to have a solid understanding of the best practices for lawn care in order to keep your grass looking green and lush. In this blog, we’ll be sharing expert lawn care tips and tricks for keeping your Perth garden looking its best, including information on watering, fertilising and mowing.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie to lawn care, we’ve got you covered with practical advice and helpful insights. So let’s get started on achieving the lawn of your dreams!
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Why Taking Care of Your Lawn is Important
A well-maintained lawn can add value and beauty to any home. It provides a safe and attractive outdoor space for children to play and serves as a natural backdrop for outdoor gatherings and activities. A healthy lawn also has environmental benefits, as it helps to filter pollutants, reduce erosion, and cool the surrounding air.
However, maintaining a healthy lawn requires time, effort, and a good understanding of the specific needs of your grass and soil. This is especially important in Perth, where the hot and dry climate can pose challenges for lawn care. By following some expert lawn care tips, you can keep your lawn looking its best and enjoy all the benefits it has to offer.
Our Expert Lawn Tips for Perth
Along with some of our tips on choosing the right lawn and helping it establish, we have also compiled our top expert lawn tips for taking care of your lawn to keep it healthy, vibrant and green!
Let’s start at the beginning…
Choose the Right Lawn
The first step in maintaining a healthy lawn is choosing the right grass for your climate and soil. In Perth, the most common types of grass are buffalo, couch, and kikuyu.
Buffalo grass is a low-maintenance option that is well-suited to the dry and hot climate of Perth. It is drought-tolerant and can withstand heavy traffic, making it a good choice for areas with children or pets. However, it is not as resilient as some other grass types and may require more frequent watering and fertilising to keep it looking its best.
Couch grass is another popular choice for Perth lawns. It is a hardy grass that can tolerate drought and heat, and is resistant to pests and diseases. However, it can be more difficult to maintain than some other grass types, as it requires regular mowing and may require additional watering in summer.
Kikuyu grass is a fast-growing grass that is popular in Perth due to its ability to tolerate drought and heat. It is also resistant to pests and diseases, and can withstand heavy traffic. However, it can be more difficult to control than other grass types and may require regular mowing and maintenance to keep it looking its best.
When choosing a grass type for your lawn, consider your climate, soil type, and the amount of maintenance you are willing to commit to. It is also a good idea to consult with a local lawn care expert or the staff at a garden centre for advice on the best grass for your specific needs.
Should you choose to seed your new lawn or use roll out turf?
When choosing between seeding or turfing a new lawn in Perth, there are a few factors to consider. Seeding is typically more affordable and can be done at any time of year, but it does require much more maintenance and can take longer to establish. Turf, on the other hand, is more expensive but is quicker to install and requires less maintenance while it is established. It is also available year-round and can be used immediately after installation.
Establish Your New Lawn
If you are starting a new lawn from scratch, there are several steps you can take to ensure its success.
- Prepare the Soil
Before planting your grass, it is important to prepare the soil by removing any weeds or debris and adding compost or other organic matter to improve the soil structure. You should also test the pH of the soil to ensure it is within the optimal range for grass growth (between 6.5 and 7.0) and level the ground.
- Plant the Seed/ Lay the Turf
If you are seeding your lawn, once the soil is prepared, you can plant your grass seed. Rake the soil to create a smooth, even surface, and scatter the seed evenly over the area. Gently water the seed and keep it moist until it germinates.
If you are laying turf, apply a layer of compost or other organic matter to help improve the soil structure and add nutrients and water the soil well to ensure it is evenly moist. Once all the turf is in place, water it thoroughly to help it settle into the soil and promote root growth.
- Watering
You’ll need to apply for a watering exemption from the Water Corporation to allow you to water your lawn or garden outside the watering roster while it is established. Only apply for a water exemption on the day your lawn or garden is installed so you get the maximum amount of extra watering days. If you don’t have an exemption, you can receive a fine – so don’t risk your lawn or your wallet!
- Fertilise
After your grass has germinated, it is important to fertilise and water regularly to ensure it grows strong and healthy. Follow the instructions on the fertiliser package for the best results, and water your grass deeply and evenly to avoid drought stress.
Tips on taking care of your new lawn
Maintaining a lawn in Perth, Australia can be a challenging task due to the hot, dry climate and the high potential for weeds and pests. However, with proper care and attention, it is possible to keep your lawn looking healthy and beautiful. Here are some tips on how to maintain your new lawn in Perth:
Fertilise Your Lawn
Fertilising your lawn can help to promote healthy growth and keep it looking green and lush. There are several types of fertilisers available for use on lawns, including slow-release fertilisers and liquid fertilisers. Choose a fertiliser that is specifically formulated for use on lawns, and follow the instructions on the package carefully.
Water Your Lawn
One of the most important aspects of lawn care in Perth is proper watering. The key is to water your lawn deeply and less frequently, rather than shallowly and frequently. This helps to encourage deep root growth, which makes your lawn more drought-resistant. In general, your lawn should be watered once or twice a week, depending on the weather and the type of grass you have. It is important to avoid over-watering, as this can lead to fungal diseases and other problems.
Mow Your Lawn
Mowing your lawn regularly is an important part of maintaining its health and appearance. The key is to mow often enough to remove the top one-third of the grass blades, but not so frequently that you remove more than this. Mowing your lawn too short can weaken the grass and make it more susceptible to pests, weed growth and diseases. It is also a good idea to change the direction of your mowing pattern each time you mow, as this helps to prevent the grass from becoming compacted and encourages healthy growth. Our top tip for weed control; if weeds have already gone to seed use a ‘catcher’ so the seeds aren’t spread throughout the lawn again and can be disposed of correctly. There are many ways that lawn mowing keeps your lawn healthy and green so it’s important to do it correctly!
Control Weeds
Weeds can be a major problem for lawns in Perth, especially during the hot summer months. To keep your lawn weed-free, it is important to regularly inspect your lawn for weeds and remove them as soon as you see them. There are several types of weed control products available for use on lawns, including herbicides and weed-and-feed products. It is important to choose a product that is safe for use on lawns and follow the instructions carefully.
Protect your lawn from pests
Pests, such as grubs and chinch bugs, can be a major problem for lawns in Perth. To prevent pest problems, it is important to regularly inspect your lawn for signs of pests and take steps to control them if necessary. This may include using pest control products, such as insecticides or nematodes, or practising good cultural practices, such as maintaining proper soil moisture and mowing your lawn at the recommended height.
Repair damaged areas
If you have areas of your lawn that are damaged or patchy, it is important to take steps to repair them. This may include reseeding the area, adding new sod, or applying a lawn repair product. Follow the instructions on the product carefully, and be sure to water and fertilise the area as needed to encourage healthy growth.
Will you use our lawn care tips?
By following these expert lawn care tips, you can install and maintain your lawn to help keep it looking healthy and beautiful. Remember to be consistent with your lawn care routine, as this is the key to maintaining a healthy and attractive lawn.
If you know you need to use these lawn care tips but don’t have time – you can hand over the lawn care to us! Just call us on (08) 6263 4645 or contact us at Perth Gardening Experts to come and help you with your lawn and entire garden as part of one of our garden maintenance packages.