How to Fix Compacted Soil and Bring Your Lawn Back to Life

How to Fix Compacted Soil and Bring Your Lawn Back to Life

If your lawn’s looking tired, thin, or patchy no matter how much you water it, there’s a good chance your soil’s compacted. It’s one of the most common issues we see in Aussie backyards — and it quietly strangles your lawn from the roots up.

When soil gets compacted, air and water can’t reach the roots properly. That means weak growth, dull colour, and dry patches that never seem to bounce back. But the good news is: fixing compacted soil is simple — and it can completely transform your lawn in just a few weeks.

Step 1: Loosen the Surface

Start by aerating the lawn. You don’t need fancy equipment — a garden fork works fine for most small yards. Push the fork in about 10 cm deep, wiggle it slightly, and repeat every 10–15 cm. This opens up channels so air, water, and nutrients can get back into the root zone.

If you’ve got heavy clay soil or a high-traffic area (kids, dogs, or cars), you might want to go a bit deeper or hire a core aerator for a weekend.

Step 2: Feed the Lawn

Once the soil’s opened up, it’s time to feed it properly. Compacted lawns are usually starving because nutrients can’t soak in. That’s where a granular fertiliser makes a massive difference — it delivers slow, steady nutrients right into those new holes you’ve just made.

Our go-to is Turf Tukka (9-4-5) — it’s a year-round granular feed designed for Aussie conditions. It fuels root growth, thickens the turf, and helps your lawn recover from stress fast.

If you’re in spring or early summer, you can also give it a boost with Wakey Wakey (22-4-7) — a nitrogen-heavy spring fertiliser that wakes the lawn up fast after winter and powers strong new growth.

Apply evenly across the lawn and water it in well — this pulls the nutrients deep into the loosened soil.

Step 3: Maintain the Momentum

From here, keep the lawn healthy by:

• Mowing regularly (but not too short)
• Watering deeply once or twice a week instead of light daily sprays
• Feeding every 6–8 weeks with a balanced fertiliser like Turf Tukka or Slip Slop Spread through summer

In a few weeks, you’ll see thicker growth, stronger roots, and a noticeably softer feel underfoot.

Ready to Bring Your Lawn Back to Life?

If your lawn’s suffering from compacted soil or weak growth, now’s the time to act. Grab your fertiliser today and give your backyard the revival it deserves.

👉 Shop ProLawns AU – www.ProLawnsAu.com

Turf Tukka (9-4-5) – $24.99 for 5 kg

Wakey Wakey (22-4-7) – $24.99 for 5 kg

Slip Slop Spread (15-4-11) – $24.99 for 5 kg

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