Prepare Your Garden and Lawn After a Dry Summer

April Lawn Care in Adelaide: How to Revive Your Lawn After a Dry Summer

As the long, dry summer winds down and April rolls in, many Adelaide homeowners start to notice their lawns are feeling the stress. After months of heat and no rain (apart from one day where the amount varied), even the hardiest turf varieties can start to look a little tired. But just because the temperatures are easing doesn’t mean lawn care should take a back seat. In fact, April is a crucial month for setting your lawn up for the cooler seasons ahead, especially after the drought conditions we’ve just come through.

Autumn might not have the dramatic growth spurts of spring, but it’s an ideal time to repair, refresh, and prep your lawn. With a bit of care now, you’ll give your grass the best chance to thrive right through winter and bounce back beautifully come spring.

Why April lawn care matters in Adelaide

Adelaide’s climate is unique, hot, dry summers followed by relatively mild winters. The shift in April from the intensity of summer to cooler, shorter days means your lawn starts slowing down. It’s using less water and growing more slowly, but that doesn’t mean it’s not active. In fact, the roots are still working hard beneath the surface.

After a long, dry spell, lawns often go into a form of dormancy or stress. This makes them more vulnerable to weeds, disease and compaction. Giving your lawn a bit of extra attention in April helps it recover, strengthen its root system and store the energy it needs for winter survival.

Start by giving your lawn a deep soak. Even though there may be some light rainfall in autumn, it’s usually not enough after such a dry stretch. A deep watering once a week will help encourage the roots to grow down rather than stay shallow and stressed at the surface. Just be mindful of water restrictions, early morning or late evening is best to reduce evaporation.

Fertilising and mowing in April

Feeding your lawn in April is essential, especially after a tough summer. Choose a slow-release fertiliser with a good balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Nitrogen helps with leaf growth, phosphorus supports root development, and potassium builds overall plant strength. For lawns recovering from drought, this nutrient combo is like a post-summer recovery pack.

When it comes to mowing, aim to raise the cutting height slightly. Longer grass blades provide better insulation and protect the crown of the plant from cooler temperatures. You won’t need to mow as often as in summer, but consistency is key, don’t let the grass get too long, or you risk scalping it when you do mow. It’s also a great time to check your mower blades. Blunt blades can tear at the grass rather than cut it cleanly, which increases the chance of disease and creates a rough look.

Renovation and installation through autumn and winter

Contrary to what many think, autumn and even winter are actually ideal seasons for lawn installation and renovation in Adelaide. The soil stays warm long after the air starts cooling, which gives new grass an excellent head start. Whether you’re installing a fresh lawn or repairing a tired one, now’s the time to act. Turf like Sir Walter DNA Certified and TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda still establish well in the cooler months, provided they’re given the right start. Moisture retention is better in autumn, meaning less stress on new roots, and with the heat behind us, there’s lower risk of sun damage or drying out.

If your lawn has bare patches, compacted soil, or weed infestations, April is the perfect month to carry out a renovation. This might include top dressing, aerating, and overseeding with a cool-season grass blend to improve density and colour through winter. If you’ve been thinking about landscaping or installing a new lawn, now is a great time to plan ahead. Autumn and winter installations not only help the lawn settle in before the next summer but also mean you’re not fighting peak-season demand or heat-related delays.

Think long-term with lawn maintenance

While April is great for one-off care, consistent maintenance makes all the difference. That’s why we offer a lawn maintenance program designed to keep your lawn healthy all year round, not just when it starts looking sad. It includes seasonal fertilising, mowing guidance, weed control and regular health checks so your lawn stays lush and stress-free no matter what the weather throws at it.

Whether your lawn needs a full renovation, a fresh install, or just a bit of love after summer, we’ve got the tools and expertise to help. At Instant Lawn Adelaide, we’re proud to keep working right through autumn and winter. So don’t wait for spring to roll around, give your lawn the attention it needs now, and you’ll reap the benefits sooner than you think.

Ready to give your lawn a boost?

Get in touch with us today to book a free quote or learn more about our installation and maintenance services. Our team is ready to help Adelaide homeowners keep their lawns healthy, green and looking their best—no matter the season.

If you need any assistance with lawn maintenance our team is always happy to help and you are welcome to give us a call on 0414 248 541. We can offer one off services and monthly seasonal maintenance packages.