The Green DoctorAustralian garden journal

Garden, lawn and plant health care for Australian conditions

Lawn Care

Diagnosis and practical repair for Australian turf: brown patches, bindii, grubs, watering, fertiliser and the buffalo-versus-couch decision.

Sun-bleached dry grass, the look of a drought-stressed lawn

Lawn Care

How to Fix a Brown Lawn in Australia

Brown turf is a symptom. This guide shows how to tell drought, grubs, fungus and fertiliser burn apart, then repair an Australian lawn without wasting water.

Tom Barrett · 12 February 2026

Questions gardeners ask

Why is my lawn going brown in Australia?

Brown lawn is usually one of four things: drought stress, lawn grubs chewing the roots or leaves, fungal disease after warm humidity, or a fertiliser burn. Lift a corner of turf. If it rolls back like carpet and you find C-shaped curl grubs, treat for insects. If the soil is bone dry below 50 mm, water deeply. If the thatch smells sour and the blades have spots, look at fungus.

Can I use weed and feed on a buffalo lawn?

Only if the label says it is safe for buffalo. Many dicamba products burn Stenotaphrum (buffalo). Choose a bindii and clover killer based on bromoxynil or a buffalo-specific formulation, and never guess from a generic hose-on bottle.