The Bellarine Peninsula has seen its fair share of unpredictable weather lately — warmer-than-average days, scattered rainfall, and those classic coastal winds rolling in from the bay. While the shift in conditions has been great for garden growth, it also means your lawn will need some extra attention as we move into the hot summer period.

Whether you’re in Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Leopold, Drysdale, Clifton Springs, Portarlington, or Queenscliff, understanding how the recent weather affects your lawn can help you get ahead before the heat really kicks in.

The recent mix of warm days and patchy rain has created the perfect environment for rapid lawn growth — but also for weeds, thatch build-up and moisture stress. Coastal wind exposure can also dry out the soil quickly, even when temperatures aren’t extreme. Here are just some of the impacts of recent weather that we have heard from our customers;

  • Fast growth spurts → requiring more frequent mowing
  • Increased moisture → potential for fungal issues and thatch
  • Windy days → faster evaporation and dry patches
  • Temperature fluctuations → stressed or patchy grass

With summer heat just around the corner, now is the time to prepare your gardens and lawns so they stay green, healthy, and resilient throughout the holiday season.

The biggest tip we can offer for lawn maintenance at this time, considering recent conditions, is to raise your mowing height. Coastal lawns benefit from slightly longer grass blades in summer. Raising your mower deck helps:

  • Shade the soil
  • Reduce evaporation
  • Strengthen root systems

Whether you’re using a SCAG or Cub Cadet ride on for larger blocks and commercial jobs, or a Masport push mower for home maintenance, a higher cut is your best defence against summer stress. We would also suggest mulching instead of catching is this is an option on your mower. The mulching returns nutrients to your soil and helps retain moisture — a major benefit in sandy coastal areas.

Another important tip is to make sure that you are watering your lawns and gardens deeply 2-3 times a week. The Bellarine’s sandy soils drain quickly, so instead of shallow daily watering, opt for deep watering 2–3 times a week in the early mornings. This encourages deep, drought-tolerant roots, but also ensures your lawn is watered before the heat of the day sets in and dries the grass out. When it comes to watering and irrigation systems, the coastal winds on the Bellarine can blow sprinklers off target. So be sure to test your irrigation and adjust coverage to avoid dry patches before watering the lawns.

Another thing to consider after the spring growth, is that your lawn will be ‘hungry’. A slow-release summer fertiliser will help to maintain colour and density through the hotter months. While prepping your gardens for Summer make sure to also treat weeds now before the summer sun and heat hardens the ground and makes them harder to remove.

After the Bellarine Peninsula’s recent mix of warm weather and scattered rain, and with Summer fast approaching, a little strategic lawn care now will set you up for a greener, healthier lawn all season long. By adjusting your mowing routine, watering schedule, and fertiliser, you can keep your lawn resilient through the hottest months ahead.

We’ve also included a Checklist below to help you with maintenance this season!

 

✅ Summer Lawn Care Checklist

🌱 Mowing

  • ☐ Raise mower height for summer
  • ☐ Stick to regular, light trims (avoid cutting too short)
  • ☐ Mulch clippings to retain moisture
  • ☐ Sharpen mower blades for a cleaner cut

💧 Watering

  • ☐ Water deeply 2–3 times per week
  • ☐ Water early in the morning
  • ☐ Check for dry patches caused by coastal winds
  • ☐ Inspect irrigation for blocked or misaligned heads

🌾 Fertilising

  • ☐ Apply slow-release summer fertiliser
  • ☐ Treat nutrient deficiencies (yellowing = nitrogen deficiency)
  • ☐ Hose-in granules thoroughly

🌿 Weed Control

  • ☐ Treat bindii, clover & broadleaf weeds now
  • ☐ Hand-pull isolated weeds before they spread
  • ☐ Avoid spraying during hot or windy days

🍂 Lawn Health

  • ☐ Remove excess thatch or moss
  • ☐ Check for signs of fungal issues
  • ☐ Aerate compacted areas if needed
  • ☐ Top-dress thin patches with sandy loam

🏡 Equipment Check

  • ☐ Clean mower deck (grass build-up causes scalping)
  • ☐ Check blades, belts & filters
  • ☐ Ensure battery tools are charged and ready
  • ☐ Store equipment out of coastal moisture exposure

🌤️ Weather Watch

  • ☐ Adjust watering after rain
  • ☐ Avoid mowing right after heavy rain
  • ☐ Monitor heatwaves—water extra during extended hot spells