How to prepare your Perth lawn for spring
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
Spring preparation starts in late August and early September, when Perth's soil temperatures begin to climb and dormant turf wakes up. The work you do in these few weeks decides whether your lawn thickens up quickly or spends summer playing catch-up. Here is the spring checklist our greenkeepers follow on lawns right across the metro area.
1. Should you aerate your Perth lawn in spring?
Yes, spring is the ideal time. Winter rain and foot traffic compact soil more than most homeowners realise, and compacted soil suffocates roots exactly when they want to grow.
This matters most in the newer estates. Lawns in Baldivis, Alkimos, Ellenbrook and Piara Waters are often laid over compacted construction fill, so roots hit a hard layer within a few centimetres. In the hills around Kalamunda and Roleystone the heavier gravelly soils compact for different reasons, but the fix is the same.
Lawn aeration opens the soil so water, air and nutrients reach the root zone
Best done as growth resumes, so the turf recovers quickly
Pair it with a soil test so you know exactly what to feed afterwards
2. Does your lawn need dethatching?
If your lawn feels spongy underfoot, thatch is building up. That layer of dead organic material sits between the leaf and the soil, blocking water and creating a home for pests and disease.
Thick buffalo lawns are the usual culprits, which is why we see it so often in established suburbs like Applecross, Floreat, Mount Lawley and Duncraig where lawns have been down for decades.
Light thatch can be managed with raking and correct mowing height
Heavier build-up calls for professional dethatching or vertimowing
Spring timing means the lawn regrows fast rather than sitting bare
This is the core of a proper lawn renovation, and spring is the season to do it.
3. When should you fertilise your lawn in spring?
Once the lawn is actively growing, usually from September. Feeding dormant turf wastes product, and in Perth's sandy, free-draining soils most of it simply leaches past the roots.
Coastal lawns in Scarborough, Hillarys, Sorrento and Mullaloo have it hardest. The soil holds almost nothing, and salt-laden winds add extra stress, so little and often beats one heavy application.
A soil test first tells you exactly what your turf is missing
Our fertilisation programs use naturally occurring, pet-friendly ingredients
Granular and liquid applications are timed to how your lawn actually grows
4. Is your reticulation ready for the season?
Perth's winter sprinkler switch-off ends on 31 August, so test everything before the heat arrives rather than discovering problems in December.
Run each station and check for blocked, misaligned or sunken heads
Watch for dry patches and overspray onto paths and driveways
Confirm your watering days and set controllers accordingly
A reticulation audit checks coverage and water efficiency properly. In leafy suburbs like Nedlands, Subiaco and Como, mature tree roots also shift and crush lines over time, which shows up as a stubborn dry patch that no amount of fertiliser will fix.
5. Should you treat weeds in spring?
Yes, and early. Weeds compete hardest while the lawn is still waking up, and a few missed weeks in September turns into a summer-long problem.
Target weeds before they seed and spread
Treat winter grass and bindii early in the season
Dense, healthy turf crowds weeds out naturally over summer
Professional weed control clears the way so your lawn thickens instead of sharing space.
6. What about mowing height in early spring?
Drop the height slightly for the first cut or two to remove tired winter growth and let sunlight reach the soil, then raise it again as the weather warms. Never remove more than a third of the leaf in a single mow, and keep your blades sharp so leaf tips heal cleanly.
Set your lawn up for its best summer yet
A few weeks of smart spring work now means a lush, resilient lawn when it matters most. Whether you are in Joondalup, Wanneroo, Canning Vale, Rockingham or Mandurah, call us on 08 6184 8797 and our greenkeepers will build a tailored spring plan for your soil, climate and lawn.
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