How to ensure lawn thrives in summer?

ameliam

My lawn seems to thrive in winter and just die off in summer

everything i try seems to fail whether it’s applying soil wetter for the summer months or aerating the lawn nothing seems to work.
everything i find online talks about lawns coming alive in summer and going dormant in winter so theres no help there

what should i try ?

picture is of the other day whilst mowing the lawn

EricL

Hello @ameliam

Thank you for sharing your question about your lawn. That is a bit concerning if the reverse happens with your lawn, it should be thriving this summer. Can you please tell us what you've been applying to your lawn? What have you been using to fertilize it with? Have you been topping up the soil? When have you been applying the fertilizer? How often do you water the lawn? Any other information you can tell us about your lawn care habits will be very much appreciated.

I also suggest having a look at this discussion - Lawn renovation by @homeinmelbourne

Here is a link to our best advice: What are your tips for keeping your lawn healthy?

In the meantime, I suggest having a look at these guides:

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

ameliam

Ive tried lots of things over the past couple years

ive used blood and bone, dynamic lifter, the cheap bunnings lawn fertiliser , seaweed liquid and ive also added soil wetters to the lawn all of which hasn’t really done anything to change the lawns strength through the warmer months

i usually add the fertilisers after the warmer months have started because as i said during winter the lawn grows crazy fast

i have done a ph test on the soil and it’s a pretty consistent 7.0 all around

i have done a couple applications of compost over the last few years too

last year i thought maybe it was because i was leaving it too late between the last rains and starting to water the lawn but this year i started watering pretty much when the rains stopped a couple weeks ago and it’s already looking like it’s starting to yellow up a bit (recent rain has greened it back up again)

ameliam

I have also done a couple of passes aerating the lawn with a pitchfork (i cant afford those fancy core aerators) over the last couple years

ameliam

Oh and i do occasionally use weed n feed during the cooler months to knock the weeds on the head too

MitchellMc

Hi @ameliam,

It sounds like you've been really diligent with your lawn care, so it's understandable that it's frustrating to see it struggle in summer despite your efforts. Given that your lawn thrives in winter but struggles in the heat, this could be due to the type of grass. Cool-season grasses, such as fescue or ryegrass, grow well in cooler weather but tend to go dormant in summer. Identifying your grass type could help tailor your care routine.

Where are you located? In some locations, like my mother's house in Bathurst NSW, unless you are watering constantly through summer, everyone's lawns die off.

Your soil pH of 7.0 is ideal, but soil compaction could still be an issue. While aerating with a pitchfork is helpful, more thorough aeration or using a soil conditioner like gypsum may improve water and oxygen flow to the roots, especially in clay-heavy soils. Also, while you’ve been fertilising in summer, timing is crucial. Fertilising right before the heat hits can sometimes stress the lawn. Try fertilising in spring or autumn instead, so the grass is stronger going into summer.

On watering, it’s great you’ve started early, but the lawn may need deeper, less frequent watering to encourage stronger root growth. Check that the water is penetrating deep enough, as shallow watering can lead to drought stress in the heat.

Lastly, be cautious with products like weed and feed, which can sometimes stress lawns during hot weather. It’s best to limit their use to the cooler months.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell