Why it matters: Compacted soil suffocates grassroots, reducing water absorption and root growth.

When to do it: Autumn and spring, when grass is actively growing.

Pro tip: Apply Humic Acid Concentrate or Quantum H after aeration to improve nutrient uptake and root strength.

Why it matters: Healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy lawn. Amendments can loosen clay, boost microbial life, and help retain nutrients and moisture.

When to do it: Typically during spring or autumn when renovating or topdressing lawns.

Pro tip: Combine Activ8mate or VolcaMin with aeration or topdressing to enhance soil structure and nutrient efficiency.

Why it matters: Grass struggles if soil pH drifts too far from neutral, nutrients lock up, reducing uptake.

Ideal range: Most lawns prefer a pH between 6 and 7.

Pro tip: Test your soil annually. If it’s too acidic, apply Micronised Lime; if too alkaline, add Humic Acid Concentrate or organic matter to balance it.

Why it matters: Most lawn care tasks (fertilising, aeration, dethatching) should coincide with active growth to help recovery.

Pro tip: Adjust your fertiliser and mowing schedule based on your grass type’s growth season, not the calendar.

Why it matters: Applying products at the wrong time (e.g., in heat or drought stress) can waste product or harm your lawn.

Pro tip: Apply liquids like Seaweed Secrets or Stimulizer early morning or late afternoon to reduce evaporation and maximise absorption.

Control tips: Maintain a dense lawn to crowd them out; spot-treat stubborn patches during active growth.

Natural defence Regular feeding with Seaweed Secrets and Activ8EXTRA helps strengthen turf so it naturally resists weed invasion.

Pro tip: Keep your mower blades sharp, tearing the grass weakens turf and encourages weed germination.

Why it matters: Buffalo lawns thrive in a wide range of climates but need a slightly different approach to mowing and feeding compared to Couch or Kikuyu.

Care tips: Mow higher (around 40–50mm) to protect runners. Avoid scalping; it exposes runners to sunburn and weeds. Feed regularly during active growth with Activ8EXTRA or MaxGreen for a deep green colour and healthy roots.

Pro tip: Use Nature’s Soil Wetter during dry spells to ensure even moisture penetration through Buffalo’s dense thatch layer.

Why it matters: Unlike fertilisers, biostimulants don’t feed plants directly, they improve the soil and root environment, helping lawns make better use of nutrients.

Examples: Seaweed Secrets, Quantum H, Humic Acid Concentrate, and Fulvic Acid.

Pro tip: Apply biostimulants monthly or pair them with fertilisers to maximise results especially after stress events like heat, frost, or mowing damage.

Why it matters: Bare soil invites weeds and erosion.

Fix it: Loosen the soil with a hand fork or aerator. Apply Activ8mate or Quantum H to boost soil health. Reseed or plug the area with healthy turf. Water consistently until established.

Pro tip: Use Seaweed Secrets fortnightly after reseeding to speed up germination and root growth.

Why it matters: Chemical-heavy lawn programs can harm beneficial microbes. Building microbial activity naturally strengthens the lawn’s ecosystem.

How to boost them: Use organic-based liquids like Activ8EXTRA or Stimulizer. Avoid overusing synthetic herbicides or fungicides.

Pro tip: Microbial diversity = stronger soil. Think of your soil as a living organism; feed it regularly to keep it thriving.

Why it matters: Couch lawns thrive in full sun and are ideal for high-traffic areas but need regular feeding and mowing to stay dense.

Care tips: Mow low (15–25mm) to encourage lateral growth. Feed regularly during the growing season with Activ8EXTRA or MaxGreen. Control thatch with occasional scarifying or topdressing.

Pro tip: Apply Seaweed Secrets monthly to strengthen roots and improve recovery after mowing or dethatching.

Why it matters: Buffalo lawns thrive in a wide range of climates but need a slightly different approach to mowing and feeding compared to Couch or Kikuyu.

Care tips: Mow higher (around 40–50mm) to protect runners. Avoid scalping; it exposes runners to sunburn and weeds. Feed regularly during active growth with Activ8EXTRA or MaxGreen for a deep green colour and healthy roots.

Pro tip: Use Nature’s Soil Wetter during dry spells to ensure even moisture penetration through Buffalo’s dense thatch layer.

Why it matters: Chlorosis signals your lawn is under stress, and correcting it early prevents dieback.

Fix it with: Apply MaxGreen (contains iron and nitrogen for rapid greening). Improve soil health with Humic Acid Concentrate or Activ8mate. Check soil pH; imbalances often cause nutrient lockout.

Pro tip: If chlorosis appears after heavy rain, your nutrients may have leached, replenish with a balanced liquid feed.

Why it matters: Leaving clippings on the lawn (“grasscycling”) returns valuable nutrients and organic matter to the soil.

Best practice: Use a mulching mower to shred clippings finely. Only leave clippings if they’re short and dry; remove wet or heavy ones to avoid smothering.

Pro tip: Combine grasscycling with Seaweed Secrets or Activ8EXTRA to accelerate microbial breakdown and boost soil fertility.

Why it matters: It enhances air exchange, water infiltration, and microbial activity in the root zone.

When to do it: During the active growing season so the grass can recover quickly.

Pro Tip: After core aeration, apply a biostimulant like Quantum H or Humic Acid Concentrate to amplify root development.

Why it matters: Over-application can burn turf or waste product; under-application leads to uneven colour and weak spots.

Pro Tip: Always calibrate your sprayer or spreader and apply evenly, ideally in a cross-hatch pattern.

Why it matters: Excess thatch blocks water, air, and nutrients from reaching the roots and can harbour pests or disease.

When to do it: Spring: For warm-season grasses like Couch, Kikuyu, and Buffalo. Autumn: For cool-season grasses like Rye or Fescue. Aftercare: Apply Seaweed Secrets or Quantum H to reduce stress and promote rapid root recovery.

Pro tip: Follow dethatching with light topdressing and watering to help the lawn fill back in evenly.

Prevention: Avoid overwatering and overfertilising. Improve drainage and air movement. Strengthen turf naturally with Seaweed Secrets, Activ8EXTRA, or Humic Acid Concentrate.

Pro tip: Healthy soil is your best defence. Feed microbes regularly to reduce disease pressure naturally.

Why it matters: Hydrophobic soils prevent water penetration, so fertilisers and microbes can’t do their job.

Fix it with: Apply Nature’s Soil Wetter to rehydrate the soil. Follow with Seaweed Secrets to stimulate new root growth. Keep watering lightly but frequently until even moisture returns.

Pro tip: Prevent recurrence by using wetting agents fortnightly during hot, dry weather.

Why it matters: Poor drainage leads to waterlogging, root rot, and compaction.

Fix it with: Core aeration to open up the soil. Apply VolcaMin or Micronised Gypsum to improve structure in clay soils. Topdress with sand or organic compost to enhance infiltration.

Pro tip: If puddles persist after rain, consider regrading low spots or installing a simple French drain.

Why it matters: Warm-season grasses like Couch and Buffalo often go dormant in winter, turning brown but not dying.

Care tips: Limit traffic and mowing while dormant. Maintain light watering to protect roots. Apply Humic Acid Concentrate or Seaweed Secrets to maintain root vitality until growth resumes.

Pro Tip: Don’t overfertilise during dormancy, it won’t green up the lawn and can damage the roots.

Why it matters: Shallow watering creates weak, drought-prone lawns.

How to do it: Aim for 20–30mm per session. Water early morning to reduce evaporation. Use a rain gauge or cup test to check coverage.

Pro Tip: Apply Nature’s Soil Wetter before deep watering to ensure uniform absorption through the root zone.

Benefits: Increased nutrient availability, better drainage, and healthier root zones.

How to encourage them: Keep soil chemical-free and moist. Feed the soil with Activ8mate, Humic Acid Concentrate, or Quantum H. Add organic matter or compost during renovations.

Pro tip: A healthy lawn teeming with worms is a sign of balanced biology, they’ll even help aerate for you naturally.

Why it matters: Rapid evaporation leads to shallow rooting, dry patches, and increased watering needs.

Reduce it by: Watering early morning or late afternoon. Applying Nature’s Soil Wetter to help water soak in. Using Seaweed Secrets to improve root resilience and moisture retention.

Pro tip: Keep mower blades sharp, ragged grass tips lose more water through transpiration.

Why it matters: Topsoil holds the organic matter and nutrients your lawn needs to thrive.

Prevention tips: Maintain dense turf cover. Use Activ8EXTRA or VolcaMin to build stronger soil structure. Avoid scalping the lawn or leaving bare soil exposed.

Pro tip: On slopes, mow across the hill, not up and down, to minimise soil movement and wear.

Why it matters: Too much fertiliser harms microbes, stresses roots, and can leach into waterways.

Avoid it by: Following product label guidance. Using balanced, biologically active products like Activ8EXTRA or Stimulizer. Watering thoroughly after application.

Pro tip: It’s better to feed lightly and often than to overload the soil at once.

Why it matters: The first 6–8 weeks determine the long-term success of your lawn.

How To Do It Right: Prepare soil with Activ8mate and Quantum H for microbial balance. Keep soil consistently moist (not waterlogged). Avoid heavy foot traffic until roots are established. Apply Seaweed Secrets weekly to stimulate root development.

Pro tip: Wait until your lawn has been mown at least three times before introducing heavier fertilisers like Activ8EXTRA.

Types:

• Granular: Long-lasting, slow-release nutrition (e.g. CHAMPION Lawn & Greens Fertiliser).

• Liquid: Fast-acting and easy to apply (e.g. Activ8EXTRA, MaxGreen, Seaweed Secrets).

Why It Matters: Regular feeding keeps your lawn green, resilient, and resistant to stress.

Pro tip: Alternate between liquid and granular feeds to balance short-term performance with long-term soil health.

Why It Matters: It acts as a nutrient carrier, helping plants absorb minerals more efficiently and detoxify the soil.

Pro tip: Apply fulvic acid before or alongside fertiliser to improve nutrient efficiency and reduce waste.

Common Types: Brown Patch, Dollar Spot, Rust, and Fairy Rings.

Why It Happens: Overwatering, compacted soil, and poor airflow create ideal conditions for fungi.

Prevention:

• Improve drainage and aeration.
• Strengthen turf naturally with Seaweed Secrets, Humic Acid Concentrate, and Activ8EXTRA.
• Water early morning only.

Pro tip: A diverse soil microbiome is your best natural defence. Keep it thriving with regular biostimulant use.

Why It Matters: Frost weakens turf and delays spring recovery if not managed properly.

Prevention:

• Avoid mowing or walking on frosted lawns.
• Feed lightly in late autumn with Activ8EXTRA to strengthen roots before winter.
• Apply Seaweed Secrets or Quantum H to build stress resistance.

Pro tip: Don’t panic, most frost damage is temporary. Grass will bounce back with warmth and proper nutrition.

Why it matters: Constant pressure crushes soil pores and damages turf crowns, leading to thin or bare patches.

Fix It With:

• Regular aeration.
• Apply Activ8EXTRA or VolcaMin to rebuild soil structure.
• Rotate play areas if possible.

Pro tip: Encourage faster recovery with a fortnightly application of Seaweed Secrets after heavy use.

Why It Matters: Allows fast correction of deficiencies (like iron or nitrogen) and enhances colour and vigour.

How To Do It:

• Apply early morning or late afternoon to avoid leaf burn.
• Use MaxGreen or Seaweed Secrets for rapid results.

Pro tip: Combine foliar feeding with root-feeding programs for a complete nutrition system.

Why it matters: Lawns thrive on regular care rather than sporadic attention.

General Guide:

• Mow: Weekly in summer, fortnightly in winter.
• Feed: Every 2 - 4 weeks during growth season.
• Water: Deeply 2–3 times per week (depending on conditions).

Pro tip: Build your care routine around your grass type’s active growth period, not the calendar.

Why It Matters: Strong, even germination sets the foundation for a dense, resilient lawn.

Pro tip: Don’t cover seeds too deeply, a light raking-in and gentle topdressing is enough.

Why It Matters: Gypsum breaks up compacted clay, enhances drainage, and helps roots access nutrients.

Pro tip: Gypsum doesn’t alter soil pH, it’s ideal when you need to improve structure without changing alkalinity.

Why It Matters: A vibrant green lawn signals optimal nutrient balance, soil health, and active growth.

Pro tip: Avoid over-fertilising for colour, deep green is great, but lush, soft growth invites pests and disease.

Symptoms:

• Wilting or dead patches despite adequate moisture
• Turf that lifts easily like carpet (roots eaten away)
• Increased bird or ibis activity on the lawn

Control Tips: Encourage natural predators (birds, beneficial nematodes). Improve lawn health and root recovery with Seaweed Secrets and Humic Acid Concentrate. Avoid overwatering, moist conditions attract egg-laying beetles. Maintain strong soil biology using Activ8EXTRA for resilience.

Targeted Control Options: If infestations are heavy (more than 5–10 grubs per square foot), consider professional-grade lawn pest solutions such as:

• Acelepryn GR – Long-lasting protection against grubs and armyworms, gentle on beneficial insects.
• Barricade Herbicide – Useful for integrated pest and weed prevention programs.

Pro tip: Check for grubs by peeling back a small section of turf. If you find several within a small area, treat immediately to prevent root loss and re-seed if needed.

Why it matters: They enhance nutrient uptake, resilience, and stress recovery, especially during renovation or seasonal change.

Best Options:

• Seaweed Secrets (cytokinins for cell division)
• Quantum H (humic acids for nutrient exchange)
• Fulvic Acid (improves nutrient absorption)

Pro tip: Combine growth stimulants with fertilisers to improve efficiency and reduce overall input costs.

Why It Matters: It’s a water-saving option but can contain salts or detergents harmful to lawns.

Safe Use Tips:

• Only use biodegradable, low-sodium detergents.
• Rotate watering areas to avoid salt build-up.
• Apply Humic Acid Concentrate or Quantum H monthly to buffer salts and protect soil biology.

Pro tip: Always alternate greywater with fresh water to prevent chemical residue accumulation.

Common Types in Australia:

• Warm-season: Couch, Buffalo, Kikuyu, Zoysia.
• Cool-season: Ryegrass, Fescue, Bentgrass.

Choosing the Right One:

• Full sun: Couch or Kikuyu.
• Shade: Buffalo or Zoysia.
• Cool climates: Rye or Fescue.

Pro tip: Match your lawn care routine to your grass type’s growth season, fertilise and renovate only when it’s actively growing.

Why It Matters: Humic acid enhances soil structure, boosts microbial activity, and helps plants absorb nutrients more efficiently.

How To Use It: Apply Humic Acid Concentrate to lawns, gardens, or soil amendments. Combine with fertilisers for maximum uptake.

Pro tip: Use after aeration or dethatching to help nutrients penetrate the root zone.

Why It Matters: Heat stress slows growth, causes wilting, and makes lawns more susceptible to pests and disease.

Prevention & Recovery: Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep roots. Apply Seaweed Secrets or Activ8EXTRA to support stress resilience. Avoid mowing during peak heat; leave grass slightly longer to shade roots.

Pro tip: Mulching mowers can help protect soil from overheating while returning nutrients to the lawn.

Why It Matters: Water and nutrients can’t penetrate, leading to patchy, stressed lawns.

Fix It With: Apply Nature’s Soil Wetter to improve water infiltration. Combine with Seaweed Secrets to strengthen roots in affected areas.

Pro tip: Test small areas first and repeat treatments as needed; hydrophobic soils may take multiple applications to fully correct.

Why It Matters: Proper use keeps lawns weed-free, but overuse can harm turf and soil life.

Best Practice: Spot-treat weeds rather than blanket spraying. Avoid application during high heat or drought stress. Use in combination with natural lawn-strengthening products like Seaweed Secrets to maintain turf health.

Pro tip: Always follow the label and consider natural alternatives where possible to protect soil microbes.

Why it matters: High humidity can increase disease pressure, while low humidity can dry out turf faster.

Management Tips: Water early morning to reduce fungal risk in humid conditions. Use Seaweed Secrets or Humic Acid to support plant resilience. Improve airflow by pruning nearby trees and shrubs.

Pro tip: Monitor local humidity trends, adjust watering and disease management accordingly.

Why It Matters: While not traditional lawn care, hydroponic systems are relevant for fertiliser efficiency and experimenting with turf growth in controlled environments.

Tips for Hydroponic Turf Trials: Use a balanced nutrient solution including nitrogen, potassium, and iron. Maintain consistent oxygenation and pH control. Consider adding Fulvic Acid to improve nutrient uptake in solution.

Pro tip: Hydroponic systems can help test fertiliser schedules and biostimulants before applying to large lawns.

Why It Matters: Iron deficiency leads to yellowing grass (chlorosis) and weak growth.

How To Fix Iron Deficiency:  Apply iron-rich products to correct deficiencies. Maintain soil pH between 6 and 7 to improve iron availability.

Pro tip: Iron is most effective when applied in cooler parts of the day to reduce leaf burn.

Why It Matters: Proper irrigation encourages deep root growth, reduces stress, and prevents drought damage.

Prevention & Recovery: Water deeply 2–3 times per week rather than shallow daily watering. Use early morning or late afternoon to minimise evaporation. Apply Nature’s Soil Wetter to improve uniform water penetration.

Pro tip: Adjust irrigation schedules based on soil type, grass species, and seasonal weather conditions.

Common Types: Armyworm, caterpillars, aphids, grasshoppers, and scarab beetle larvae.

Control Tips: Encourage natural predators such as birds and beneficial nematodes. Maintain strong turf with Seaweed Secrets and Humic Acid Concentrate to improve resilience and recovery. Rotate mowing and watering routines to discourage pest outbreaks.

Targeted Control Options: For significant infestations, professional-grade products can help:

• Acelepryn GR – Controls armyworms, scarab beetle larvae, and other turf pests with minimal impact on beneficial insects.
• Conserve SC – Effective against caterpillars and leaf-feeding insects in environmentally sensitive areas.

Pro tip: Early detection is key; inspect lawns regularly for chewing damage, thinning patches, or irregular growth to act before the problem spreads.

Why It Matters: Healthy soil underpins healthy lawns, improves drainage, and increases nutrient efficiency.

Examples:

• Activ8mate to stimulate microbial life.
• VolcaMin or Micronised Gypsum to break up clay soils.
• Humic and Fulvic Acid to enhance nutrient uptake.

Pro tip: Combine soil improvers with aeration or topdressing for maximum effect.

Why it matters: Left unchecked, infestations can cause long-term damage, thin patches, and make recovery difficult.

Steps to Take: Check your lawn regularly to identify pests or diseases before they spread. Take steps to strengthen the turf. Feed with Seaweed Secrets, Humic Acid Concentrate, or Activ8EXTRA to improve root strength and overall resilience.

Targeted Control Options:

• Acelepryn GR – Effective against grubs, armyworms, and scarab larvae while being gentle on beneficial insects.
• Conserve SC – For caterpillars, leaf-feeding insects, and other surface pests.
• Barricade Herbicide – Integrated use for weeds that can weaken your lawn and make it more vulnerable to pests.

Environmental Corrections: Fix drainage issues, reduce soil compaction, and correct nutrient deficiencies to make your lawn less attractive to pests.

Pro tip: Healthy, well-fed lawns naturally resist infestations, prevention is always better than cure. Combining biological care with professional pest control gives the best results.