WORDS BY RYAN PEARCE
It’s hard not to compare. We’ve all done it. Peering over our neighbour’s fence and … admiring their lawn.
You’ve probably heard the saying ‘the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence’, but did you know it’s just as hard to mow? That’s where Travis Savage comes in.
Often the brunt of his mates’ jokes, the self-confessed lawn tragic devoted years of his life to tending to his own turf. In early 2020 he and his wife Jess created The Lawn Lab to extend a little lawn love to others.
“This was initially just a hobby for me, but I wanted to learn more and dive into the science of lawn care to not only improve my lawn, but help others as well,” Travis said.
Boasting an immaculate home lawn, complete with putting green, Travis and Jess wanted others to know the joy of having a fantastic outdoor space to share with family and friends.
“There’s nothing better than sitting on the lawn, having a few beers in the afternoon, watching your kids roll around or kick a ball,” Travis said.
He said cultivating the perfect lawn didn’t always require technical expertise. Sometimes the most important tasks were the simplest.
“To begin the process of creating a great lawn, regular mowing and a watering schedule are on the top of the list,” Travis said. “If you can find the time to mow at least once or twice a week, you will begin to see the benefits.”
What if your lawn isn’t as lush as it once was but you don’t want someone else cutting your grass? The Lawn Lab can provide products and guidance to fellow lawn lovers.
“We supply and use only the best lawn care products,” Travis said. “Our products are non-toxic and only target the problem areas, with no threat of harming household pets or the lawn’s ecosystem of bees or spiders.”
If it’s make or break, it might be time to call in the professionals. According to Travis, the perfect time to “renovate” your lawn is Spring.
“You will notice after Winter a lot of ‘thatch’, which is dead plant material, built up under the grass canopy. You can identify this if your lawn is spongey underfoot,” he said.
“To rectify it we scarify the lawn, cutting into the soil profile. We then core aerate which allows water, air and nutrients down into the root zone, and that is vital for lawn health.
“We offer ongoing, targeted care and customised lawn programs that take into account your property’s size and dimensions. Irrigation installations, weed, insect and fungal control, cylinder mowing and grooming are just some of the other services we provide.”