G’day, Nikolai here from The Lawn Firm. If bright yellow flowers pop up after rain and turn into white puffballs, you’re dealing with dandelions. I see them across Canberra and the ACT every year. They look harmless, but they spread fast and open space for more weeds. Here’s my simple plan to stop them and thicken your turf.

What dandelions look like

Leaves: Flat rosette with jagged edges, lying close to the soil
Flowers: Bright yellow heads that turn into white seed clocks
Roots: Long taproot that regrows if you snap it
Habit: Single plants that return and expand each season if left

Why dandelions spread in Canberra

Bare patches after summer give easy entry points
Compacted clay weakens grass roots and helps weeds win space
Low mowing or scalping opens the canopy
Dry, hydrophobic soil creates gaps that dandelions exploit

When they are most active

You see new plants from late winter, with peak flowering in spring. Seed spread continues into summer. My aim is to act before seed heads form.

Quick checks I use on site

Rosette test: A flat circle of leaves hugging the ground
Taproot check: A single, thick taproot if you loosen the soil
Seed clock: White, fluffy heads that drift on the wind
Lift test: If the crown snaps and the root stays in, it will regrow

Prevention that works

Raise mowing height to shade the soil and protect the crown
Feed on a seasonal schedule to build density and close gaps
Core aerate in spring or autumn to open Canberra’s clay and help roots drive down
Use wetting agents in warm months to prevent dry patch gaps
Overseed and light top dress thin zones so grass owns the space

Control once dandelions appear

Hand removal (small numbers): Water first or wait for rain. Use a narrow weeding tool to follow the taproot deep and lift the whole plant. Go slow. Bag and bin it.
Targeted treatment (wider spread): Use a selective approach suitable for broadleaf weeds on actively growing plants. Correct timing matters. Avoid blanket sprays on stressed turf.
Timing tip: Act before flowering and repeat for stragglers.

Aftercare to stop regrowth

Rake out dead material so grass can fill in
Top dress 5–8 mm with fine sandy loam to even small scars
Overseed to rebuild density and block light to the soil
Light fertilise to support steady recovery
Water deeply, not often to drive roots down and strengthen cover

Common mistakes I fix

Snapping the taproot and leaving the base in the soil
Scalping to “cut them out” which weakens turf and spreads more weeds
Random spraying with the wrong type or timing
Skipping aeration so compaction keeps turf weak

My ACT timing guide

Late winter / early spring: Feed, raise mowing height, remove early plants
Spring: Aerate, overseed, and top dress thin areas; control new growth
Summer: Use wetting agents, water deeply, and keep mowing height steady
Autumn: Strengthen roots and close gaps before winter

DIY or call The Lawn Firm?

You can hand-weed a few plants if you remove the whole taproot. For full-lawn outbreaks, timing and technique decide the result. I assess the site, choose the right control, and line up aeration, overseeding, top dressing, wetting agents, and seasonal feeding so dandelions lose their foothold, and your grass keeps the space.