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How to get the best-looking lawn (and keep it)

8 essential tips for a lush, envy-inducing lawn (including 1 tip on choosing the best mower for your lawn and lifestyle).

RYOBI TEAM Wed, 03/25/2026 - 16:53
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A great-looking lawn isn’t just about having grass — it’s about cultivating a lush, green carpet that turns heads and keeps weeds at bay. With the right tools, techniques, and a bit of regular care, you can transform patchy grass into a thriving lawn that’s the pride of your neighbourhood.

1. Understand the difference between grass and lawn 

  • Grass grows unevenly, often in clumps and patches, and includes weeds.
  • A lawn is uniform, lush, and weed-resistant — like a green carpet.
  • The goal is to transition from random grass growth to a well-maintained lawn. 


Let’s assume you already have grass growing in a yard or nature strip. As you are probably aware, there’s a difference between ‘grass’ and ‘lawn’. 

Grass grows haphazardly, often in clumps and patches, mainly because it’s made up of different varieties of grass, including weeds. It often looks untidy. Whereas a lawn looks lush, green and even, like a carpet. It’s a joy to look at, play on, walk on and more. A good lawn also becomes thick enough to constrict weeds from growing.

2. Start with weed control and fertilisation

36V 15L Backpack Chemical Sprayer – Tool Only

  • Use a spray-on weedkiller combined with grass fertiliser.
  • Wait for the weeds to die off and assess the health of the remaining grass.
  • This step sets the foundation for a healthy, weed-free lawn. 

To turn grass into lawn, kill off the weeds and boost the grass you want to keep. Start by applying a spray-on weedkiller/grass fertiliser and wait the appropriate time for results. 

Once you are satisfied that the weeds are dead and that you want to keep the rest of the grass, it’s time to scarify (or dethatch).

3. Scarify (dethatch) annually

RYOBI 2X18V ONE+ Brushless Scarifier Tool Only

  • Scarifying removes dead grass thatch blocking nutrients from reaching roots.
  • Best done once a year, typically in October.
  • Use a powered scarifier or a garden rake (be ready for a workout!).
  • Scarify in one direction, then again at a 90° angle for best results.
  • Expect your lawn to look rough initially—it will recover in about four weeks.


Many lawn experts recommended once-a-year (around October) dethatching or scarifying your lawn – some even suggest doing this twice a year. Scarifying removes the dead grass thatch that lies on the soil and blocks nutrients from reaching the grass roots. It often gives lawns a yellowy-brown look.

If you don’t have a powered scarifier, using a garden rake to drag out the thatch is just as effective – but be prepared, it can give you an aerobic workout! 

TIP: Warning: to the uninitiated, it will look like you’ve destroyed your lawn if you do it properly, but in around four weeks’ time your efforts will be rewarded. 

For best results, scarify in one direction, then at 90o (cross hatch).

4. Fill low spots with coarse river sand 

  • After dethatching, identify and fill low areas with coarse river sand.
  • Avoid potting mix or loam, which can smother grass.
  • Fill deep holes gradually—just a few millimetres each week.
  • Continue mowing during this process to maintain grass health. 


Once you’ve removed all the thatch, and there could be a lot, you should be able to detect any low spots that need filling. Fill them with coarse river sand, not potting mix or loam. 

TIP: Don’t try to fill large, deep holes and depressions in one go as this can smother any grass below. Instead, fill the holes in thin layers, a few millimetres at a time each week until you reach an even height after a month or so. In the meantime, keep mowing the grass you have.

5. Overseed bare or thin patches

18V ONE+ Seed And Fertiliser Spreader - Tool Only

  • Use the same grass type already growing in your lawn.
  • If unsure, take a sample to your local nursery for identification.
  • For large bare areas, consider laying matching turf for instant coverage.
  • Overseeding helps thicken the lawn and prevent future weed growth.


Now, overseed any bare patches or thin areas with the same grass type that you have growing. If unsure what type of grass you have, take a few blades to your local nursery for identification. 

If you have a large patch of barren ground, buying a piece of turf and digging it in is an instant fix (make sure it matches).

6. Mow regularly

Best-Looking Lawn - Mowing Schedule

  • Treat your mower as a maintenance tool—not a jungle tamer.
  • Mow weekly, removing about one-third of the grass blade height.
  • Sharp blades are essential—replace or sharpen them often.
  • Regular mowing keeps the lawn healthy and helps you spot issues early.
  • Avoid leaving excessive clippings, which can smother the lawn.
  • Occasionally leaving clippings can return nitrogen to the soil. 

Once the soil has settled and the new grass has sprouted after overseeding, regular mowing should start paying dividends. 

TIP: Don’t leave lots of grass clippings on the lawn as this can smother it. Once and a while is okay as cut blades of grass can return nitrogen to the soil, which a lawn needs. Just don’t overdo it. 

If you want that well-maintained look, always keep the edges in check with a line trimmer and lawn edger. Done regularly, it’s a fairly quick task. RYOBI’s gardening products share the same battery platform, so this makes it even easier to keep a well-maintained lawn.

7. Be consistent

  • Weekly mowing keeps your lawn manageable and lets you detect problems early.
  • A well-maintained lawn is easier to care for and more enjoyable to use.
  • Consistency is key—don’t let your lawn get out of control. 


Regular mowing – removing around one-third of the height of blades of grass (with sharp mower blades) keeps a lawn healthy. Replace your blades regularly. 

Mowing every week or so also helps to keep on top of any changes in your lawn. You’ll be more inclined to spot areas that need attention before they become a problem. And when the lawn is manageable and only needs a trim, it’s also quicker to mow.

8. How to choose the right mower for your lawn

With so many battery-powered models to choose from, choosing a new lawnmower can seem a bit overwhelming – so we made a tool that makes choosing the right mower for your lawn, lifestyle and budget. The RYOBI Product Comparison Tool lets you line up any four mowers and compare them side-by-side. Whether you’re looking at price, checking the different features; reading reviews; or just want to see exactly what’s included in the box ... everything’s laid out side-by-side so you can make the best choice quickly. 

Choose between 18V and 36V, push or self-propelled, single or extra battery ports for longer runtimes, mulching options, height settings and lots more ...

Start comparing
Two RYOBI Lawn Mowers displayed on a freshly cut lawn

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Let us help you find which Lawn Mower might be right for you. Enter your block size, grass height, mowing duration and more and we’ll recommend a RYOBI Lawn Mower for the job.

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For more in-depth advice, read garden guru Jason Hodges’ articles on garden maintenance.

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