Lawn Renovation Basics

Before starting the renovation process, it’s important to assess your lawn’s condition. Look for signs of thatch buildup, compacted soil, bare patches, and weed infestations. Here are the key steps to prepare your lawn:

• Timing: Lawn renovation should be done when temperatures are consistently warm enough to promote recovery. Ideally in North Queensland we aim for a period where the combination of minimum and maximum temperatures regularly exceeds 36°C, as this ensures optimal soil temperatures for strong lawn recovery and growth. The ideal renovation period generally runs from August to May.
• Weed Control: Remove any weeds using a selective herbicide or manual removal methods. For further information on types of herbicides, check out the FAQs page. 
• Mowing: Mow the lawn down to a manageable height to prepare for scalping and dethatching.
• Watering: If the soil is dry and compacted, water the lawn a day or two before renovation to make aeration and dethatching more effective.
• Marking Obstacles: Identify and mark any sprinkler heads, garden edges, or other obstacles to avoid damaging them during the renovation process.
• Equipment Preparation: Ensure you have the right tools and materials for the job, such as hire equipment (mower, dethatcher, aerator), personal protective equipment (PPE), and topsoil booked in advance to avoid delays.
• Soil Testing (Optional): Conducting a soil test can provide valuable insights into pH levels and nutrient deficiencies, helping you make informed decisions about fertilisers and amendments to improve lawn health before, during and after renovation.

Thatch is a dense layer of dead grass and organic matter that can prevent water, nutrients, and air from reaching the soil. Over time, excessive thatch buildup can create a barrier, making it difficult for your lawn to access the essential resources it needs to thrive. Removing excess thatch ensures healthier root development, improved lawn growth, and better overall resilience.

The terms dethatching and scarifying are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinction. Dethatching typically refers to lightly removing the surface layer of thatch using a dethatching rake or a powered dethatcher. Scarifying, on the other hand, is a more aggressive process that cuts deeper into the soil and grass to remove a thicker layer of thatch and promote more vigorous regrowth. Scarifying can be particularly beneficial for warm-season grasses like Couch and Kikuyu that grow sub-surface, but should be approached with caution on Buffalo grass, which has more delicate stolons that grow above the soil surface, or Zoysia varieties that can take longer to recover.

How to Dethatch

• Use a dethatching rake or a powered dethatcher/scarifier to remove the thatch layer from the lawn’s surface.
• If dealing with heavier thatch buildup, consider using a scarifier for deeper removal and improved aeration.
• Mow, blow or rake up and remove the debris to prevent it from suffocating the lawn and promote quicker recovery.
• Dethatching is best done in conjunction with scalping if the thatch layer is excessively thick, making scalping difficult.

When to Dethatch

• If your lawn feels spongy underfoot, looks brown every time you mow, or visibly has a thick thatch layer, you may need to dethatch. It's best to dethatch during the active growing season when the lawn can recover quickly.

Topdressing is done to improve soil structure, level out uneven areas, or both. Understanding why you are topdressing can help determine the best material to use. If you need to level the yard, washed or screened sand can be a great choice as it provides a smooth, even surface. If you're looking to improve soil quality, a loam or organic-based blend will help retain moisture and provide essential nutrients for the lawn's recovery.

Using high-quality topdressing material is essential to avoid introducing weed seeds or unwanted contaminants into your lawn. Poor-quality soil can bring in invasive weeds and pests, making future maintenance more difficult.

How to Topdress

• Use a sandy loam, compost-based mix, or washed sand (generally under 3mm) depending on your topdressing goal.
• To distribute the soil easily, use a top dresser for even coverage, or manually spread it with a wheelbarrow and shovel. If using a shovel, take small scoops and flick the soil in a controlled manner to avoid excessive buildup in one area. Work in sections, ensuring an even distribution before smoothing it out with a top dresser, leveling rake, or drag mat. Focus on blending the topdressing into the existing lawn without completely covering the grass blades. This helps prevent buildup and ensures the soil integrates well into the grass without smothering it.
• The depth depends on the grass variety, with Buffalo and Zoysia requiring a lighter application to avoid smothering. Couch and Kikuyu can tolerate a more aggressive topdressing approach, but even then, keeping the layer under 10mm ensures optimal recovery. 
• Water the lawn after applying topdressing will help it settle and integrate into the existing soil profile.