How Do I Care for My Lawn in Spring?

Spring is when most Australian lawns start showing signs of life again…but let’s be honest, some of them look like they’ve been through a long, dark emotional winter. If your lawn is pale, patchy or giving ‘sad beige’ vibes, you’re definitely not alone. Cooler soil, winter rain and slow growth can leave turf struggling right as weeds start getting a bit too confident.

The good news? Spring is also the easiest time to turn things around. With the right care and a few simple adjustments based on your turf type, your lawn can bounce back quickly and set itself up for a strong summer. Think of it as a lawn glow-up season.

Why does my lawn struggle after winter?

During winter, grass growth slows right down. Soil can become compacted, and thinner turf makes it easier for weeds like bindii to move in and make themselves very comfortable. When the season arrives, most lawns need a little push to restart healthy growth.

Buffalo, Couch and Zoysia are the most common lawn types across Queensland and Australia, and each one responds differently as temperatures rise. Treating them all the same can slow recovery, or worse, cause damage that takes weeks to fix.

The key to spring lawn care is timing and balance. Mowing at the right height, feeding your lawn as growth resumes and watering deeply (but not too often) helps grass rebuild strong roots and thicken up naturally. Once the basics are sorted, weeds and pests become a lot easier to manage, and your lawn starts acting like it actually wants to live.

How should I care for Buffalo grass in spring?

Buffalo grass is a favourite in Aussie backyards thanks to its broad leaves and ability to handle partial shade without throwing a tantrum. In spring, it responds best when it’s kept slightly longer than other grasses. Aim to mow Buffalo at around 40 to 50 millimetres. This helps the lawn stay thick and reduces weed pressure.

During active growth, mowing every seven to ten days is usually enough, as long as you don’t remove more than a third of the leaf at once. Buffalo doesn’t like being scalped. It will absolutely hold a grudge.

When it comes to feeding, a slow-release fertiliser at the start of the season helps Buffalo regain colour and coverage. Products like OxStar Lawn Fertiliser & Weed Preventer are a great option because they feed the lawn while helping to reduce early weed growth, which is basically multitasking at its finest.

Buffalo has a strong root system, so it doesn’t need constant watering. In most cases, deep watering once or twice a week is enough unless conditions are very dry. Spring is also the time to keep an eye out for bindii and lawn grubs. Treating weeds early makes control much easier later in the season, before they spread and start acting like they own the place.

Tip: Buffalo grass should never be cut shorter than 40 mm, as mowing too low can weaken the lawn and encourage weeds.

How do I get Couch grass growing again after winter?

Couch grass loves warmth and sunlight, so once soil temperatures rise, it usually snaps back pretty quickly. Because it spreads through runners both above and below the soil, it can fill bare patches fast, but only if it’s managed properly. Couch is the overachiever of the lawn world.

In spring, Couch should be kept shorter than Buffalo, ideally around 15 to 25 millimetres. Regular mowing is important, as letting it grow too long can lead to scalping when it’s cut back. And once you scalp Couch, it will look rough for a while and make you regret everything.

Feeding Couch early in the season helps kickstart growth, followed by lighter monthly feeds to maintain colour and density. Products like Premium Fertiliser provide balanced nutrition, while liquid options such as Exceed Liquid Fertiliser are great for maintaining colour during active growth.

Because Couch has a finer leaf, it can dry out faster. Deep watering two to three times a week during dry weather is usually enough. It’s also worth keeping an eye on edges, as Couch can quickly creep into garden beds if not edged regularly. It’s not malicious; it’s just enthusiastic.

Tip: Couch spreads aggressively in spring, which is great for recovery, but means edging and mowing need to stay consistent.

Why does Zoysia grass take longer to green up in spring?

Zoysia is naturally slower to wake up after winter. It’s not lazy, it’s just taking its time. But once it does kick into gear, it forms a dense, hard-wearing lawn that needs less ongoing maintenance, so the wait is worth it.

Early in spring, growth may seem slow, but patience pays off. Zoysia prefers to be mown slightly higher than Couch, at around 30 to 40 millimetres. Because it grows more slowly, mowing every ten to fourteen days is usually enough, which is great news if you’d rather spend your weekends doing literally anything else.

It doesn’t need heavy feeding either. A balanced, slow-release product like All Rounder Fertiliser provides steady nutrition without pushing excessive growth. If you’re looking to improve root health and resilience, Lawn Kelper Liquid Fertiliser can also be used as a supplement.

Once established, Zoysia handles dry conditions well. One or two deep waterings per week during the season support root development. Thanks to its dense growth habit, weeds are less of an issue, but it’s still worth checking lawn edges for encroachment from faster-growing grasses.

Tip: Zoysia needs less nitrogen than Buffalo or Couch, so over-fertilising can do more harm than good.

What general lawn care should I practice in spring?

Spring is the perfect time to fix all the issues that quietly built up over winter while you were busy avoiding the cold. If your lawn feels hard or compacted, aerating helps improve airflow and drainage to the roots, which gives grass a much better chance of thickening up.

Lawns that feel spongy underfoot may benefit from dethatching, which removes excess organic matter and allows new growth to push through properly. If your lawn looks like it’s trying, but something’s holding it back, thatch is often the culprit.

Top dressing with a sandy loam mix helps level uneven areas and improve soil structure. Keeping mowing consistent and applying fertilisers, wetting agents and weed treatments early in spring sets your lawn up for steady, healthy growth, before summer heat comes in swinging.

What can I expect from good spring lawn care?

Lawns that are properly cared for in spring usually green up faster and grow thicker and stronger. This makes them far more resilient to typical problems like summer heat, dry spells, weeds and pests. Simply put, the effort you put in during spring directly affects how your lawn performs for the rest of the year. For more detailed advice on seasonal watering and turf care, see the Queensland Government’s waterwise gardening guide.

At Australian Landscape Supplies, we provide everything you need, from turf varieties to lawn fertilisers and soil improvers. Whether you’re a homeowner giving your backyard a makeover or a landscaper prepping multiple sites, we make turf and lawn care easy (and far less painful than it needs to be).

Explore our range of turf, fertilisers and soil products, and let us help you achieve the lawn you’ve been dreaming of. For expert advice and high-quality lawn care products, browse through our website or visit our Eagle Farm location today!