Welcome fellow Lawn Addicts to another instalment of “The Fulcrum”.
Renovation is the turning point in your lawn calendar, where we reset the surface, fix any flaws and set ourselves up for better season ahead. Whether you’re chasing that elite lawn everyone wants or just to improve a tired patch. A well-planned renovation makes all the difference.
Here’s what a renovation helps you tackle:
Thatch build-up: A layer of dead stems, organic matter and “leggy” growth that sits between the soil and the leaf. Too much of it will stop water, air, and nutrients from reaching the root zone and it’s a cause of soft, spongy lawns.
Soil compaction: Heavy foot traffic, mowing, or general wear compresses the soil over time. Compacted soil reduces root depth and deprives the soil of oxygen, making your lawn weaker and more prone to stress and disease.
Uneven surfaces: Bumps, low spots, and old damage from pests or drought create an uneven finish and inconsistent growth. Topdressing as part of your renovation helps iron the surface out for better mowing and better coverage.
Weed-prone thin areas: Renovation gives you the chance to aggressively tackle bare patches, open up the canopy, and encourage dense new growth.
Rootzone reset: With renovation, you're not just fixing what you see. You're setting up the conditions under the surface, improving drainage, introducing oxygen, and creating better pathways for nutrients to do their job.
Bonus Tip: Soil Test Before You Start
A soil test before renovation means no guesswork. It gives you a clear picture of what’s already in the soil, so you’re only applying what you need.
If you are serious about winter lawn care on your warm season lawn, you would have been running a plan with the Winter Glow Bundle. This helps the lawn fight off the effects of dormancy. This bundle is also an excellent way to help wake up your lawn. This can be done by “spoon feeding” half rate applications fortnightly, instead of full rates monthly. We want to be continuing this until we see soil temperatures increase to the desired temperature where the lawn resumes steady growth with regular mowing. Please note the rate for Fertech Fusion on cool season grass is less. Contact us for more information.
Timing is everything and it depends on your grass type: as mentioned soil temperature is the key to a successful renovation and renovation recovery.
Cool-season grasses (C3): 15˚C is usually around the middle of September.
Warm-season grasses (C4): 18˚C is usually around mid-late October.
Of course, this depends on location and the nature of the season.
It is always best to check conditions on the ground though. As subtle variations shade, wind and the soil profile between yards can have significant influences on soil temperature.
Sports turfed areas, parks, golf courses and areas dependent on resource availability are not always that lucky! Often we have to do it when there is a break in the schedule, rather than when it is ideal.
The more active the growth, the faster the recovery.
It’s not one size fits all. The depth and intensity of your renovation should match your grass type and lawn goals:
Warm-season grasses (like Couch, Kikuyu, Zoysia): Can generally handle a full-on renovation; scalping, verti-cutting, aerating, topdressing, the works. Buffalo: More sensitive, treat it with a little more care. Cool-season grasses (like Rye, Fescue, Bent): Go easier. Avoid scalping too low, focus on dethatching and aerating.
Renovation Steps (The Lawn Addicts Way)
Mow Low (Scalp if needed) – Reduces thatch and clears out excess leaf.
Dethatch – Pulls out dead organic material so air, water and nutrients can infiltrate the soil.
Aerate – Improves oxygen, water and nutrient flow to the root zone.
Top dress – Levels the surface, smooths the soil, and helps with root zone development.
Fertiliser & Amendments – This is the launchpad. Apply based on your lawn’s needs and your soil test. Water it in – Consistent and even watering sets everything in motion.
If you’ve grabbed one of our Renovation Bundles, you’re already halfway there. Everything you need—laid out, labelled, and ready to go.
Don’t Forget Post renovation!
Once you’ve done the hard work, support recovery with:
Light, frequent watering to keep the soil moist
Liquid nutrition if soil temps are still low
Avoid traffic on the lawn as it starts to bounce back
Need a Plan? We’ve Got You Covered.
If you’re unsure where to start—or just want the easy button—our Free Lawn Plans take the guesswork out of renovation season.
