Several signs can indicate that your lawn may be due for a renovation. These include:

Patchy or Thin Grass Coverage: If the lawn has areas with sparse grass coverage or bare patches, it may be a sign of underlying issues such as soil compaction and poor drainage. It could also be due to shading or competition with tree roots for water and nutrients.

Weed Infestations: An abundance of weeds, such as dandelions, clover, or crabgrass, can indicate that your lawn is struggling to compete with opportunistic plants.

Disease or Pest Damage: If your lawn is experiencing widespread disease outbreaks or significant damage from pests, a renovation can restore the health of the lawn.

Soil Compaction: Soil compaction restricts root growth and reduces the ability of the lawn to absorb water, nutrients, and air. Pooling water, poor drainage or difficulty inserting a shovel into the soil are all signs of soil compaction.

Thatch Build-up: Thatch is a layer of dead grass stems and roots that accumulate between the soil surface and actively growing grass. Excessive thatch build-up can hinder water, air, and nutrient movement, leading to poor lawn health.

Seasonal Decline: If your lawn shows signs of decline or struggles to recover after winter dormancy or summer heat stress, it may benefit from renovation measures to improve its resilience and vitality.

Lawn renovations are best performed during moderate weather in Autumn or Spring. Depending on the works undertaken, you can expect the affected area to be out of action for a few weeks.

What does a lawn renovation involve?

Our turf specialists will first assess the existing condition of the lawn to determine what is required for the lawn renovation. Depending on the findings, they may employ any of the following measures to improve the health and appearance of the lawn.

Soil Testing: Conducting soil tests to help guide the application of soil amendments such as lime or fertilisers to address nutrient deficiencies.

Weed Control: Prior to renovation, it’s important to address existing weed problems to prevent weeds from competing with newly planted grass seed or sod.

Scarifying or Dethatching: The removal of a thick mat of organic material, such as dead grass or mulched leaves by mowing the lawn down to soil level and using a scarifying machine to thin out the root zone.

Aeration / Coring: Using a core aerator to alleviate soil compaction and improve air, water, and nutrient penetration into the soil.

Top dressing: Using whitewashed sand to fill in holes and level out the lawn.

Over-seeding or Sodding: Depending on the extent of lawn damage, over-seeding or sodding (laying turf) may be necessary to establish new grass.

Fertilisation: Applying a balanced fertiliser based on the results of the soil test and the specific needs of the grass species.

Watering: Keeping the renovated lawn consistently moist to promote seed germination or sod rooting. Watering deeply but infrequently encourages deep root growth and drought tolerance.

Mowing and Maintenance: Once the grass begins to establish, regular mowing at the appropriate height for the grass species along with fertilising and pest control will support long-term lawn health.

The decision to renovate your lawn should be guided by expert advice after assessing its current condition. Botanic Fine Turf & Irrigation are qualified turf experts who have managed top-tier golf courses. They offer tailored recommendations for your lawn, considering local conditions and best practices.