DIY Lawn Care for Beginners: How to Get Started

10 Dec

If you’re staring at your lawn thinking, “I wish this looked better,” you’re not alone. Taking care of your own lawn can feel a little intimidating at first, especially if you’re in Adelaide where our climate can be a bit tricky—hot summers, dry spells, and occasional heavy rain all play a part. The good news? With a few basics and a bit of consistency, you can turn your yard into something you’re genuinely proud of.

1. Know Your Lawn Type

The first step in DIY lawn care is understanding what you’re working with. In Adelaide, you’ll often see couch grass, buffalo grass, and kikuyu in home lawns. Each has its own strengths:

Couch grass: Tolerates heat well, recovers quickly from wear, but can go dormant in winter.
Buffalo grass: Softer underfoot, great for shady areas, slower to grow.
Kikuyu: Fast-growing, great for covering large areas, can handle heavy foot traffic.

Knowing your grass type helps you choose the right watering, mowing, and fertilising schedule.

2. Get the Right Tools

You don’t need a shed full of fancy gear to start, but a few basics go a long way:

Lawn mower – for regular cuts; adjust height depending on your grass type.
Garden hose or irrigation system – consistent watering is key, especially in summer.
Rake – to remove leaves, clippings, and debris.
Fertiliser spreader – optional, but makes life easier when applying feed.

Start simple. Even a standard push mower and a hose can get the job done.

3. Mowing Basics

Mowing is one of the most important parts of DIY lawn care, and it’s easy to get wrong if you’re new. The golden rule is: never cut more than one-third of your grass height at once. Cutting too short stresses the lawn and can invite weeds or pests.

Here’s how to approach it for Adelaide lawns:

Kikuyu: This warm-season grass loves the heat and grows quickly in spring and summer. Mow regularly, keeping it a bit shorter to encourage healthy growth, but avoid scalping. In winter, growth slows, so you can reduce mowing and give it a light trim as needed.
Couch: Also a warm-season grass, couch can go dormant and turn brown during winter. Don’t stress—just maintain a light trim and focus on regular mowing during the growing season.
Buffalo: Buffalo grows more slowly and prefers slightly taller cuts. It handles winter better than kikuyu or couch but doesn’t recover as quickly from wear, so avoid cutting it too short.

Regular mowing keeps your lawn tidy, encourages thicker growth, and helps prevent weeds from taking over. Consistency is key—your lawn will thank you!

4. Watering Tips

Watering is one of the most important things for a healthy lawn. The general idea: deep and infrequent is better than light and often. This encourages roots to grow deeper, making your lawn more drought-resistant.

Early morning is the best time to water—less evaporation, less disease.
Aim for about 20–30mm per week, adjusting for rainfall.

5. Fertilising for Growth

Feeding your lawn helps it grow thick, green, and healthy. For beginners:

Apply fertiliser 2–4 times per year depending on your lawn type.
Look for products with a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK).
Avoid fertilising during extreme heat—late spring or early autumn is ideal.

6. Dealing with Weeds and Pests

Some weeds are inevitable, but a thick, healthy lawn usually keeps them at bay. Pulling weeds by hand works well for small patches. For pests, like lawn grubs, watch for brown patches or thinning areas and tackle them early.

7. Consistency is Key

The biggest difference between a “meh” lawn and a lawn you love is regular care. Mow consistently, water wisely, and fertilise at the right times. Over time, small efforts add up big.

8. Keep Learning and Join the Community

DIY lawn care is a journey. Don’t worry if your lawn isn’t perfect straight away—learning what works for your space, soil, and grass type is part of the fun.

If you want to see what works for us, or just get some behind-the-scenes tips, check out our Instagram and Facebook pages. We post regular updates and tips straight from Adelaide lawns.

Final Thoughts

Starting with DIY lawn care doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on the basics, be consistent, and pay attention to your lawn’s needs. Over time, you’ll build the confidence and skills to make your yard a green, thriving space that’s all your own.