Turf pros swear by Blade Runner — but would your lawn pass the barefoot test?

May 3, 2025

The Unexpected Lawn Hack Turf Fanatics Won’t Stop Talking About

Put your lawn to the Barefoot Test with Blade Runner — and finally find out if it's living up to the hype

Blade Runner isn’t just for greenskeepers anymore — it’s the quiet favourite of backyard legends, barefoot BBQ hosts, and newbie gardeners who want their grass to feel like carpet, not crunchy cornflakes. If you’ve ever squinted at your patchy back lawn and whispered, “...should it be this sharp?”, this one’s for you.

“When my socks came off and I still involuntarily tiptoed, I knew I had a lawn problem.” – Bella, first-home gardener

Whether you’re laying turf, raising a struggling lawn, or simply tired of bringing shoes to your outdoor morning coffee parade, there’s one simple way to tell how healthy your grass really is: the Barefoot Test.

What’s the Barefoot Test, Anyway?

It’s not fancy—just highly effective. Step outside, take off your shoes, and walk across your yard. If you cringe even a little, it’s time for help. Crispy dry grass? Soil rock-hard underneath? Little yellow tufts straggling between hard, bare patches?

You might think you need to reseed — but in most cases, your lawn isn’t dead. It’s just hungry.

Enter: Blade Runner Lawn Fertiliser

Keep your lawn lush and green with Blade Runner! Specially made for lawns, this slow-release fertiliser drip-feeds your grass the nutrients it craves over time. Instead of surging and browning days later, your lawn thickens, strengthens, and greens up steadily — like it’s been at a health spa for roots.

Slow-release formula for fewer applications
Boosts root depth and drought resilience
Promotes soft, dense grass that feels sensational underfoot

Why Blade Runner Has a Cult Following

It feels like magic—because it kinda is. What used to take weekly watering, constant checking, and lots of hit-or-miss liquid feeds now takes a few simple steps.

Old Way vs New Way

Before: Dry, scratchy lawn despite watering constantly
After: Soft, thick grass you can picnic on—even barefoot
Before: Uneven colour, alarming patches, random clovers
After: Verdant, even green that holds its tone

Blade Runner works with the soil over multiple weeks, supporting strong steady growth. Think of it like sourdough starter for your soil — the results improve the longer you care.

But Wait — Can You Kill Your Lawn with Too Much Love?

Actually, yes. Beginner gardeners often over-love their lawns: too much watering, improper fertiliser timing, mixing incompatible products. This leads to fertiliser burn, shallow roots, and fungal issues.

That’s why slow-release formulas like Blade Runner are so ideal — it’s basically gardening insurance for still-learning green thumbs like Bella.

And for those casually Googling “how not to kill your grass this summer,” you’re our people.

Bella Learns the Lawn Language

Meet Bella — a thirty-something primary teacher in her first home with a patchy back lawn and a pup who loves to nap in the sun. She didn’t want an Instagram lawn. She just wanted it soft enough that it didn’t need a “Warning! Thorns ahead” sign.

Armed with a bag of Blade Runner (15kg — enough for an inconsistent but eager waterer), she gave it a go. Seven days in, she noticed signs — not instant yard transformation, but sturdier shoots quietly thickening by the clothesline. Three weeks in: fewer bare spots. Four weeks? She stopped bringing thongs for weekend hangs in the backyard. Win.

Bonus Tip for Beginners

Fertilise when rain is forecast — or follow up your application with a deep watering session. This helps nutrients sink where they belong: below the surface, where roots are actively feeding.

The Real Test: Neighbour Envy

It happens slowly. First, they lean over the fence. Then comes the question: “What are you using on your lawn?” That moment? That question? That’s when you realise something’s changed — your patch of green isn’t just “better than last year.” It’s now the neighbourhood benchmark.

It’s what we call the Neighbourhood Authority Upgrade.

Add These to Your Lawn Game

Comfort-Grip Water Wand – eases strain while watering edges and corners
Basic Soil pH Test Kit – tells you if your soil is too acidic or alkaline
Neutrog Sudden Impact for Lawns (before spring) – gives grass a pre-season pep talk

All available in-store at our garden centre if you need them — and yes, we’ll show you how to use them without complex instructions.

Lawn Confidence Starts Here

If growing your dream garden sounds intimidating, your lawn is the easiest win to start with. One bag of the right fertiliser + real watering + gentle care = confidence that blooms across your whole outdoor space.

And the next time your shoes are off and the breeze is just right — your lawn will pass the barefoot test with ease.

Here’s to lush grass, happier weekends, and a garden that finally feels like you.

Catch you in the garden,

Candeece 🌱