Why Your Lawn Might Be Struggling This Summer

Why Your Lawn Might Be Struggling This Summer

It’s mid-summer here on the Central Coast, and if you’re staring at a lawn that’s turned brown and looks like it’s given up, you’re not alone. With scorching temperatures, high humidity, and occasional dry spells, Australian summers can be tough on our lawns—especially popular varieties like Kikuyu, Couch, and Buffalo. The good news? In most cases, your lawn isn’t dead—it’s just heat stressed and has gone dormant to survive. But let’s break down why this happens and, more importantly, how to fix it fast.

Is Your Lawn Dead or Just “Browned Off”?

Warm-season grasses like Kikuyu, Couch, and Buffalo are built for Australia’s climate, but extreme heat (often 30°C+ on the Central Coast) combined with insufficient water pushes them into dormancy. The blades turn brown, dry, and hay-like as the plant conserves energy in its roots and crown.

Dormant (good news!): The crown (base of the plant) is still alive. Grass resists pulling (tug test: grab a handful—if it doesn’t come out easily with roots attached, it’s dormant).
Dead (bad news): Grass pulls up easily with no roots, or the crown is black/brown and brittle.

Most summer browning is dormancy, not death. Your lawn can bounce back with the right care. The Main Culprit:
Heat Stress
The number one reason Central Coast lawns struggle in summer is heat stress, often worsened by underwatering. High temps cause grass to lose moisture faster than it can absorb it, leading to wilting, curling blades, and that tell-tale brown-off.

Other common contributors:

Dry patches/hydrophobic soil: Soil repels water (common in sandy coastal areas), creating uneven brown spots.
Pests: Armyworms, grubs, or chinch bugs thrive in heat and chew roots.
Compaction or poor drainage: From foot traffic or heavy soil.
Over-mowing: Cutting too short exposes soil and stresses roots.

But heat is the big one—especially during heatwaves.

Quick Fixes to Revive Your Lawn

Focus on these two key strategies: mow higher and water deeply (lots of water!). They’ll help most heat-stressed lawns recover in 1-2 weeks.

Mow Higher to Shade and Protect

Mowing too short in summer is a common mistake—it scalps the grass, stresses it more, and lets heat bake the soil. During the hotter months, your mowing heights should increase.
Recommended heights
Kikuyu: 30-50mm
Couch: 20-40mm
Buffalo: 30-50mm

During Spring/Summer, we recommend mowing at 50mm minimum no matter which grass type. This, and regular watering will keep your lawn green and prevent heat stress setting in. If you want to have the only lawn thats still green in your street during summer, this is how you’ll achieve that.

Mow religiously every week, or fortnight. Never remove more than one-third of the blade length at once.

Water Deeply and Infrequently

Shallow daily watering encourages weak roots. Instead, give your lawn a good soak to reach deep roots and break dormancy.
We recommend watering for 60 minutes every second day with a sprinkler. Always water in the mornings, not later in the afternoon. Early morning is best to reduce evaporation and fungal risk.
If soil is hydrophobic (water runs off), apply a wetting agent (soil surfactant) to help penetration.

Extra Boosts for Faster Recovery

• Apply a wetting agent + light organic fertiliser on a cooler evening.
• Avoid heavy traffic until it greens up.
• If pests are suspected, inspect for damage and treat accordingly.

With these steps, you’ll see new green growth soon—here’s what a healthy, recovered lawn looks like.

When to Call the Pros

If brown patches persist after two weeks of deep watering, or you spot rings/irregular patterns (possible disease or grubs), it might need expert help.
At MD Lawns, we specialise in Central Coast lawn care—from mowing and fertilising to turf repairs. Regular maintenance prevents summer struggles altogether. Don’t panic this summer. Most browned-off lawns recover beautifully. Get mowing higher and watering deep today!