Summer in Melbourne’s south-east can be brutal: 40 °C+ days, weeks without rain, and sudden water restrictions. Yet every year we still see plenty of lawns in Pakenham, Officer, Cranbourne, Clyde and Cardinia looking thick and green. Here’s exactly how they do it — and how you can too.
At Small Brother Lawn Mowing Service, we look after hundreds of lawns in these exact suburbs every summer. This is our proven, local summer survival plan.
1. Water Deeply — But Less Often
Forget daily sprinkles. They only encourage shallow roots and waste water.
- Sir Walter Buffalo & Palmetto: 25–35 mm twice a week (early morning).
- Kikuyu: 20–30 mm twice a week.
- TifTuf Bermuda: 15–25 mm twice a week — it’s the most drought-tolerant.
Best time: 4 am – 8 am. You’ll lose almost no water to evaporation and the grass has time to dry before night (reduces fungus).
2. Raise Your Mowing Height (Seriously — Do It Now)
Higher grass = deeper roots = better drought resistance.
- Sir Walter Buffalo: 50–70 mm (most people cut too short at 30–40 mm and burn it).
- Kikuyu: 40–60 mm.
- TifTuf & Couch: 30–50 mm.
We raise our mower decks every December for all clients in Officer, Pakenham and Cranbourne — the difference is night and day.
3. Fertilise Smart — Timing Is Everything
Feed in late November / early December, then again in February.
- Best summer fertiliser for the south-east: slow-release granular with high potassium (e.g. Yates Buffalo PRO, Lawn Solutions Premium, or OxaFert Plus).
- Apply 2–3 weeks before a heatwave, never right before 40-degree days.
- Water it in lightly straight after spreading.
4. Beat the Most Common Summer Killers in Our Area
| Problem | Where We See It Most | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Army Worm / Lawn Grub | Pakenham, Officer, Clyde new estates | Acepryn or Yates Grub Kill + reseed bare patches |
| Dollar Spot fungus | Older Buffalo lawns in Cranbourne West | Avoid night watering + apply fungicide early |
| Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) | Over-watered Kikuyu in Berwick | Improve drainage + Heritage MAXX fungicide |
| Dry brown patches | New estates with hydrophobic sandy soil | Wetting agent (e.g. Lawn Soaker, SaturAid) every 6–8 weeks |
5. Wetting Agents & Soil Wetters — Your Secret Weapon
The reclaimed sandy soils in new estates around Officer, Clyde and Cranbourne go water-repellent in summer. Water just runs off instead of soaking in.
Apply a quality wetting agent in November and again in January — lawns stay greener on half the water.
6. Your Summer Checklist (December – February)
- Raise mower height (done in first week of December)
- Apply wetting agent (mid-November & mid-January)
- Slow-release fertiliser (late Nov & early Feb)
- Deep water twice a week max
- Mow every 10–14 days (don’t scalp!)
- Watch for grubs — treat early
Want Us to Do It All for You?
Many of our regular clients in Pakenham, Officer and Cranbourne book our Summer Health Package:
- End-of-spring scalp & fertilise
- Summer-height mowing every 10–14 days
- Wetting agent + grub prevention included
- Free check-up if anything looks off
Call or text 0470 514 201 today — we still have spots left before Christmas rush.
Don’t let another summer turn your lawn brown. Follow this local guide and enjoy the greenest lawn on the street — even when it hits 42 °C in Officer!
Small Brother Lawn Mowing Service
Pakenham • Officer • Cranbourne • Berwick • Narre Warren • Clyde
www.smallbrother.com.au | 0470 514 201