Story: Lawn Recovery After a Hot Summer
Episode: 1
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane
Air Date: 2nd March 2024

Trevor takes us through the must-do’s of recovering your lawn after a hot summer.

• After the summer season, the impact of soaring temperatures may manifest in stressed plants and noticeable patches within the grass, so it’s good to take proactive steps to help your garden get back to where it needs to be and aid its recovery.
• Prioritize a thorough examination of your irrigation system and ensure all sprinklers are fully operational, free from obstructions, silt, and grit that may accumulate in the lines.
• Techniques such as forking the grass promote water penetration, particularly beneficial for compacted soils; and the application of wetting agents becomes crucial for hydrophobic soils, breaking down waxy coatings hindering water absorption.
• Focus on enhancing both root and leaf growth in your lawn by utilizing slow-release technology to provide a balanced blend of nitrogen for lush green leaf growth, and phosphorous and potassium for robust root development and cellular strength.
• Adopt a strategic approach to mowing by adjusting your mower height to 75mm for warm-season grasses and slightly higher for colder climate varieties; this not only fosters shading which minimises evaporation but also promotes healthier grass.
• A recommended practice is to water sufficiently to achieve a 15 to 20mm drench twice a week, this encourages deep root growth making grass more resilient to hot and dry conditions, but also be mindful that excessive watering can pose just as many problems than insufficient watering.