Lawn Restoration
Plan 2026–27

New bottle purchased to replenish the one that was almost empty.

Applied last week across the entire lawn. Core fix for the hydrophobic sandy soil.

New battery being installed. Run the system manually in daylight and watch where the water actually lands. Check if the central bare zone is being reached — it may not have been running for some time due to the dead battery.

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.

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

4kg bag covers up to 250m² — more than enough for your ~25–36m² lawn, with plenty left for the spring application.

Full-size fork you can step on — needed to reach 10–15cm depth for effective June aeration.

Spread evenly across the whole lawn. Immediately sweep any granules off paving — the iron stains. Water in well after applying. Kids & pets: keep off while wet, fine once dry (a few hours). Safe after that.

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.

Repeat the application from week 1. Given how hydrophobic your soil was, a second dose in late May ensures the soil is properly conditioned before winter rain arrives. Same method — apply in the morning, water in well. Fine for kids once dry.

Look at the central zone — is it holding moisture better after the wetting agent? Any new green Buffalo growth appearing at the edges of the bare zone? The lawn will still look rough overall heading into winter — this is normal. Note any changes for reference.

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.

Wait until soil is moist after rain, then use your garden fork. Push 10–15cm deep every 15cm across the bare zone (~1 hour). One session is enough for the season — sandy soil doesn't need repeated aeration.

Note how the lawn is tracking. Some winter grass is expected in the bare zone — healthy Buffalo will crowd it out naturally once spring arrives. No fertilising now — Buffalo is dormant. The lawn will look rough and thin through winter. 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.

Winter grass in the bare zone is expected — the Buffalo will take over as it warms up. Use this as a planning prompt: check your Wettasoil supply for the September reapplication. You already have enough Scotts Lawn Builder Buffalo for spring.

Third and final scheduled application, before summer heat and reticulation resume. Check your existing supply — if enough remains, no need to buy more. Apply in the morning, water in well immediately after. Fine for kids once dry.

Reticulation ban lifts October 1. Increase session duration from 10 min → 15–20 min on your Wed & Sun schedule.

Most important application of the year — Buffalo is actively growing and spreading runners into the bare zone. Spread evenly, sweep granules off paving immediately, water in well. Kids & pets: fine once dry, usually a few hours.

~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. If less, proceed to re-turfing.

Apply ~4–6 weeks after the spring fertiliser feed. By late October the Buffalo will be strong and actively growing — exactly the conditions required by the label. Targets the clover you can see in the back corner. Do not apply to any bare or stressed areas. Kids & pets: keep off until spray is dry, then fine.

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.

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