Why Your Lawn Looks Terrible (and How to Fix It)
The Ultimate Lawn Rescue Guide for Wellington Homeowners
You had high hopes for your lawn. But now, instead of lush, green grass, you’re staring at dead patches, weird weeds, muddy puddles or a dry, yellow crust. Sound familiar?
Don’t worry—you’re not alone. At Just Grass NZ, we’ve helped hundreds of Wellington homeowners turn sad-looking lawns into green, healthy outdoor spaces. This guide covers the most common causes of lawn problems and, more importantly, how to fix them. Whether you're dealing with pests, poor drainage, or pet damage, we’ll walk you through what’s really going on underfoot—and how to take back control.
The Top Reasons Your Lawn Looks Like Rubbish
1. Compacted Soil
When soil becomes too hard and dense, water and nutrients can’t get down to the roots. This is especially common in Wellington where clay soils are widespread or fill from a new build excavation dominates your yard. You’ll notice puddling after rain, slow growth, and patchy grass that refuses to thrive—even if you water and fertilize regularly.
The Fix:
Give your lawn something to grow in by spreading a 20-40mm thick layer of organic lawn mix over the area. You can also aerate your lawn at least once a year (spring or autumn is best). This allows air, water, and nutrients to penetrate more deeply. You can do it manually with a garden fork, or hire a professional with a core aerator for better results. If you want the results without the effort, give us a call and we will sort it out for you.
2. Poor Drainage
If your lawn stays soggy for days after rain, or worse, turns into a muddy swamp, you’ve got a drainage issue. Waterlogging suffocates roots and encourages fungal disease.
The Fix:
Improve your base. Lawns should be laid on a free-draining sub-base or graded in a way for natural run-off, a layer of organic lawn mix with a high sand content can also help. You might need to install French drains or regrade the area to direct water away. At Just Grass, we assess drainage needs before any turf install—and that makes all the difference. Artificial turf is a great way to fix a waterlogged yard as the 100mm sub base is the perfect drainage companion.
3. Shady Spots
Grass needs sunlight to grow. If your lawn gets less than 4 hours of direct sun per day, especially in winter, the grass will struggle. Shade also encourages moss and fungal growth, particularly under trees or next to fences.
The Fix:
Choose shade-tolerant turf (like Fine Lawn or Multi Lawn). Prune trees and shrubs to increase sun exposure. You may also want to switch to artificial turf in deeply shaded areas—it always looks great and never dies.
4. Lawn Grubs & Insects
If your grass is browning in patches or lifts up easily like a carpet, you may have a grass grub or porina infestation. These bugs eat the roots and cause major damage fast—often in autumn and spring.
The Fix:
Use targeted insecticide treatments at the right time of year (usually March/September). Our Healthy Lawn Program includes grub spraying in those months to prevent reinfestation.
5. Lack of Fertiliser
Grass is a living plant, and like any plant, it needs nutrients. Over time, rain and mowing deplete nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in your soil. The result? Pale, slow-growing, lifeless turf.
The Fix:
Feed your lawn regularly with a mix of quick-boost fertilisers and slow-release nutrients. We apply both across the year as part of our monthly spraying service, ensuring your lawn stays green, thick, and well-fed through every season.
6. Pet Damage
Urine spots, digging, and high-traffic zones where dogs run back and forth can all ruin a lawn. Urine burns the grass and leaves unsightly yellow patches.
The Fix:
Train dogs to use one part of the lawn, and water down urine spots regularly. For persistent damage, you may want to overseed the area with Tall Fescue, which handles wear better than finer grasses. Or switch to artificial turf in dog-heavy zones—it’s easy to clean and always looks tidy.
7. Wrong Mowing Practices
Too short, too infrequent, or mowing with blunt blades can all stress the grass. Cutting more than ⅓ of the blade length in one go weakens the plant and invites weeds and disease.
The Fix:
Set your mower to a height of 35–45mm (notch #4-5 on the mower) for most Wellington turf types. Mow weekly in spring and summer (and less often in winter). Keep blades sharp for a clean cut.
8. Weeds Taking Over
Dandelions, clover, oxalis, and other invasive weeds compete with grass for nutrients and sunlight. If they’re spreading fast, your lawn is likely thin and undernourished.
The Fix:
Improve your grass health first—thicker lawns naturally crowd out weeds. Spot spray broadleaf invaders and stay on top of regular fertilising. Our monthly program includes weed spraying at key points in the year for long-term control.
9. Wrong Turf Type
Sometimes, the issue isn’t how you're treating the lawn—it’s that you’ve got the wrong grass for your conditions. If you planted a warm-climate grass in a shady, damp Wellington backyard, it’s no surprise it’s struggling.
The Fix:
Re-evaluate your turf type. For Wellington homes, we usually recommend Tall Fescue for its durability, drought resistance, and year-round performance. In some cases, reseeding or laying new turf may be the most effective solution.
Fixing a Bad Lawn: Where to Start
If your lawn has gone from lush to lifeless, don’t give up. Sometimes all it takes is a bit of TLC. But if you’re not seeing results after feeding, watering, and mowing correctly, it may be time for a reset.
Here’s your action plan:
Get a soil test or visual diagnosis (we offer free assessments).
Aerate and apply the right fertiliser for the season.
Water deeply, not often. Let the roots chase moisture down.
Overseed if the lawn is thin or patchy.
Set up a monthly care routine—or leave it to us.
🌿 Want an Easy Way to Stay on Top of Lawn Health?
Our Healthy Lawn Program is a monthly service designed for Wellington lawns. You get seasonal fertilisers, grass grub treatments, moss and weed control—all timed for maximum impact.
$135 + GST per month (for lawns up to 100m²)
Performed by our experienced horticulturist
Cancel anytime with 14 days' notice
See results in 2–3 months or we’ll make it right
Let’s Bring Your Lawn Back to Life
You don’t need to live with a tired, brown lawn. Whether it's seasonal stress, poor drainage, or just years of neglect, we can help diagnose the issue and restore your grass to its full potential.
Call us on 0800 MY LAWN, or send us an enquiry
Servicing Wellington Suburbs, including the Hutt Valley and Porirua
