Time To Start Thinking About Spring Lawn Care
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Time to read 4 min
Spring is when a lawn either gets ahead of weeds and grubs, or spends the whole season fighting them. As the soil warms and growth picks up after winter, this is the window to get a pre-emergent and a grub control down before problems take hold. Getting both applications in by the end of August hits the sweet spot for most of Australia, before summer weeds and black beetle grubs become active.
It's Nearly Time For Spring Pre-Emergent
A pre-emergent is a herbicide that stops weed seeds from germinating, rather than killing weeds that have already appeared. It works by forming a thin barrier in the top layer of soil, so when weed seeds like summer grass and crabgrass try to sprout, they are stopped before they ever break the surface. Applying it just before or in early spring targets those seeds during their germination window, well before they can compete with your lawn for water, light and nutrients.
Watch soil temperature. Aim to apply once soil temperatures climb toward 15 to 18 degrees, which for most of Australia lands in late winter to early spring, from around August into September.
Choose the right product for your lawn size. A pre-emergent like Barricade suits larger yards and gives long-lasting coverage, while Spartan works well for smaller lawns needing a smaller quantity.
Get the timing right. A pre-emergent will not touch weeds that are already growing, so it has to go down before germination to do its job.
Barricade is ideal for larger yards. It offers excellent coverage and long-lasting weed prevention this Spring
Spartan is an excellent choice if you need a smaller quantity. It's just as effective and perfect for smaller lawns this Spring
Acelepryn GR is the grub control to pair with your pre-emergent. It targets black beetle grubs during their active feeding period, protecting roots before thinning and brown patches appear this Spring
Don't Miss The Acelepryn Application Window
Acelepryn GR is a preventative insecticide that targets black beetle grubs before they can damage a lawn's roots. Applying it in early spring lines up with the grubs' active feeding period, so the insecticide is in place before they cause the thinning and brown patches that black beetle damage is known for. It is also low toxicity and easy on bees, which is a big part of why it is such a popular choice for lawns.
Protects the roots. Black beetle larvae feed on grass roots underground, so damage is often well underway before it shows on the surface.
One application, season long control. A single spring application gives long lasting protection through the grubs' active feeding period.
Stops the flow-on damage too. Getting ahead of grubs also heads off the birds and animals that dig up a lawn hunting for them, which is often worse than the grub damage itself.
Do You Need A Calendar This Spring?
Not sure where to start with lawn care this spring?
The free Lawn Care Calendar takes the guesswork out of lawn care with a clear, easy to follow schedule that suits all grass types. Whether the question is when to feed, when to tackle weeds, or when to plan a full lawn renovation, the calendar lays it out season by season. The lawn plans go a step further with a more in-depth schedule and extra tips for each stage.
Spring Lawn Care FAQs
Q: When should I apply a pre-emergent in spring?
A: Aim to get it down once soil temperatures climb toward 15 to 18 degrees, which for most of Australia falls in late winter to early spring, from around August into September. Applying it before summer weeds like summer grass and crabgrass germinate is what gives it its best results.
Q: Can I apply Acelepryn GR at the same time as a pre-emergent?
A: Yes. Both treatments suit the same early spring window, so it makes sense to apply them together. The pre-emergent stops weed seeds from germinating while Acelepryn targets black beetle grubs during their active feeding period, so the lawn is covered on both fronts as growth ramps up.
Q: How should I mow my lawn in spring?
A: Raise the cutting height a little as growth picks up through spring. A slightly longer cut encourages deeper roots and a thicker lawn that shades out weed seedlings, which works hand in hand with a pre-emergent rather than against it.
Your Spring Lawn Care Checklist
Apply your pre-emergent
Get it down once soil temperatures head toward 15 to 18 degrees, before summer weeds like summer grass and crabgrass germinate.
Put down Acelepryn GR
Apply around the same time to target black beetle grubs during their active feeding period, before root damage shows on the surface.
Give the lawn its first spring feed
A dose of fertiliser once growth picks up helps the lawn recover from winter and fill in any thin patches.
Raise the mower height
Cutting a little longer through spring encourages deeper roots and a thicker lawn that competes better with weeds.
Check irrigation coverage
Even watering carries treatments evenly into the soil and stops dry patches from undermining the pre-emergent barrier.
Final Thoughts on Spring Lawn Care
Taking proactive steps with a pre-emergent and Acelepryn makes all the difference to how a lawn comes through spring. Applying a pre-emergent just before or in early spring stops weed seeds from germinating, so the grass grows on without competition. Acelepryn applied around the same time targets black beetle grubs during their active feeding period, protecting the lawn from the root damage that leads to thinning and brown patches. Getting both down at the right time sets the lawn up for a resilient, healthy season ahead.
Author: Ben Sims
Ben Sims is a passionate greenkeeper turned lawn care expert. With years of experience in greenkeeping, he's shifted his focus to helping homeowners achieve their dream lawns. Through his website and YouTube Channel, Lawn Tips, he shares practical advice, comprehensive lawn care plans, and high-quality lawn products to make lawn maintenance more straightforward and effective.
