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How to fix lawn after cutting grass too short?

Hi there, we recently moved into a house and we let the grass get too long. We mowed it after a month on a higher setting and it was nice and green. Then when we mowed it again, we cut it too short and it was yellow underneath. I feel like it’s also getting yellower as the days go by.

I have no idea what type of grass it is but I desperately need help on how to revive it before it gets worse. Appreciate any help / steps to follow to fix it.

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Comments

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @isabellelawn. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about reviving a lawn.

It looks like the lawn has been scalped a bit too short, which has exposed the yellow undergrowth that hadn’t yet greened up. That’s very common when grass is cut too low after being allowed to grow long. At this stage, it’s mostly a matter of giving it time and the right conditions to recover. Some of the browned or scalped patches may not come back, but the surrounding healthy grass should gradually fill those areas in.

I’d suggest starting by giving the entire lawn a good aeration to help air, water, and nutrients penetrate the compacted soil. Then, sprinkle a thin layer of lawn top dressing across the surface; just enough to cover about half the height of the grass blades so you’re not smothering them. This will encourage new shoots to grow and help level any uneven areas. Apply a gentle liquid tonic such as Seasol to promote root growth and strengthen the grass. Avoid using strong chemical fertilisers until the lawn has had a chance to re-establish, as they can stress weakened turf.

Keep the lawn well-watered, ideally every day or two if the weather’s warm, to help new growth along. Within a few weeks, you should start to see new green shoots filling in. After that, continue mowing regularly, but only trim about one-third of the grass height each time to prevent scalping again. With a bit of patience and care, the lawn should recover nicely.

Here's a helpful guide: How to topdress your lawn.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

isabellelawn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/58282#Comment_58282

Thanks so much @MitchellMc for your help! Do I apply the seasol straight after the lawn top dressing?

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/91495#Comment_91495

Yes, that would be fine @isabellelawn.

Mitchell

isabellelawn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/111726#Comment_111726

Final question @MitchellMc - can this product be used for top dressing? https://www.bunnings.com.au/scotts-lawn-builder-4kg-plus-organics-lawn-food-and-soil-improver_p0069453

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/123326#Comment_123326

Hi @isabellelawn,

The Scotts Lawn Builder 4kg Plus Organics Lawn Food And Soil Improver is more of a fertiliser than a top-dress mix. It is designed to be spread over a much wider area and contains more concentrated nutrients. It is similar, but not ideal, for top dressing like Mitchell has described.

For top dressing, you'll want to use something like this Seasol Lawn Top Dress Mix, Scotts Lawn Builder Organic Lawn Soil Topdress & Underlay or Scotts Lawn Builder Levelling Mix. They are a lighter mix, containing a sandy loam mix, which will add nutrients and help level the ground beneath the grass.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

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