Why Your Lawn Struggles in Summer and How to Fix It
Gold Coast summers can be brutal on your lawn. Intense heat, harsh sun, humidity, and unpredictable storms all combine to create tough growing conditions. If your lawn turns brown, patchy or weak through summer, you’re definitely not alone. Here’s why it happens, and what you can do to keep your lawn looking healthy through the hottest months of the year.
1. Heat Stress & Sunburn
When temperatures spike, your lawn loses moisture faster than it can recover. The leaf blades burn, the roots dry out, and the turf becomes stressed.
How to fix it:
Raise your mowing height in summer
Water deeply, not frequently
Apply a wetting agent to help water soak in
2. Poor Soil Moisture Retention
Gold Coast soils are often sandy or hydrophobic — meaning water can’t penetrate.
How to fix it:
Use wetting agents every 6–8 weeks
Add organic matter or top dress in spring
Install irrigation for consistent watering
3. Weed Explosion in Warm Weather
Summer weeds thrive in heat and humidity.
How to prevent it:
Use pre-emergent herbicide
Keep mowing consistent
Strengthen your lawn with fertiliser
4. Incorrect Summer Mowing
Cutting too low exposes the soil and stresses the lawn.
Fix:
Stick to the 1/3 rule
Keep blades sharp
Avoid mowing during heatwaves
Final Word
Summer doesn’t have to destroy your lawn. With the right care, or a professional renovation, you can keep it green, strong and resilient even in tough conditions.
Need help preparing your lawn for summer? Lovelawns has you covered.