Lawn Restoration
Plan 2026–27

Product: Penetraide Re-Entry or Yates Waterwise Soil Wetter (2L concentrate). Available at Bunnings or any garden centre.

Use a hose-end sprayer for even coverage across the entire lawn (not just the bare patch). Water in well immediately after. Do this in the morning.

Turn the system on manually and watch where the water lands. Is the central bare zone being reached? Note any misaligned or blocked heads.

If the centre isn't being covered, adjust heads yourself or book a retic technician for a 1-hour visit. This could be the single biggest fix.

Product: Destiny Herbicide (pronamide-based) or Kerb Granules — both safe on Buffalo. Available at Lawn Solutions Australia, some Bunnings, or online.
⚠️ Do NOT use Roundup or any non-selective herbicide — it will kill your Buffalo.

Apply only to the bare and affected zones where winter grass (Poa annua) is emerging. Follow label instructions carefully. The window to treat effectively closes in a few weeks.

~20–30 mins on the central bare area with a hose or sprinkler attachment. Do this on a non-retic day such as Monday or Friday. Morning only.

Product: Lawn Solutions Autumn/Winter Fertiliser or Scotts Lawn Builder Autumn/Winter. Low-nitrogen, potassium-rich blend — potassium strengthens roots heading into winter. Apply at the recommended rate, do not over-apply. Water in afterwards.

Second supplementary hand water session this month. Morning only, ~20–30 mins on the central zone. Choose a day that is not your Wed or Sun retic day.

Final extra hand-water session for May. Morning only, ~20–30 mins on the central zone.

Inspect the treated areas. Winter grass should be yellowing or dying back. If fresh regrowth is visible, spot-treat again with Destiny. The lawn will look rough overall — this is expected at this time of year.

Water Corporation ban begins June 1. Switch the controller to off. Perth winter rainfall is normally sufficient for Buffalo. Only hand water if there has been no rain for 2+ consecutive weeks — and even then, just one light session.

Wait until soil is moist after rain, then aerate the bare and central areas.
DIY: Push a garden fork 10–15cm deep every 15cm (~1 hour).
Hire: Coring machine from Kennards Hire — half day.
Pro: Book a lawn aeration service.

Product: Yates Gypsum Clay Breaker or Richgro Penetrant Soil Improver. Spread across the entire lawn and bare zone. Rain will work it in naturally over winter, breaking down the hydrophobic layer long-term.

Look for fine, lighter green Poa annua regrowth in the bare zone. If present, apply Destiny to those spots again. No fertilising this month — Buffalo is dormant. The lawn will look rough and thin. This is completely normal.

If there is an unusually dry stretch, give the lawn one light hand water session in the morning. Perth winters rarely need this, but worth noting.

One last check for Poa annua before spring warms things up. Spot treat any remaining patches. Start planning your spring supplies — pre-emergent and fertiliser should be purchased in early September.

Product: Lawn Solutions Onset Pre-Emergent or OxaFert. Apply before warm-season weeds germinate as soil warms. Timing is key — do this before soil consistently reaches 18°C. Protects the recovering lawn through summer.

Repeat your May application across the whole lawn before summer sets in. Your 2L bottle from May should still have some left. Same method: hose-end sprayer, water in well immediately after.

Reticulation ban lifts October 1. Increase session duration from 10 min → 15–20 min on your Wed & Sun schedule. The longer soak helps penetrate the sandy soil now that it has been treated.

Most important fertiliser of the year — Buffalo is actively growing again.
Product: Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser or Scotts Lawn Builder Spring/Summer. Apply at recommended rate across whole lawn. Water in well.

~20 mins on the central recovering area. Morning only. Choose a day that is not your Wed or Sun retic day.

~20 mins on the central recovering area. Morning only, non-retic day.

~20 mins on the central recovering area. Morning only, non-retic day.

~20 mins on the central recovering area. Morning only, non-retic day.

Look for new Buffalo runners spreading inward from the healthy edges. If more than ~50% of the bare zone has new green coverage, let it continue naturally — no re-turfing needed. If less, proceed to re-turfing.

If less than ~50% has recovered by early November, patch with new turf rolls. Variety: Sir Walter or Palmetto to match your existing grass. For ~10–15 sqm: turf ~$80–120 + top dressing ~$50. DIY laying is straightforward.

If the summer is harsh and stress signs appear (central browning again), apply a third soil wetting agent in January. Same method and product as before.