February 2017 - Lawn Solutions Australia

Month: February 2017

How you can easily create a luscious, low-cost outdoor entertainment area

Posted on by Anthony
  • A lawn area can cost less than a third that of other surface covering to construct
  • Edging for lawn areas and garden beds can be as varied as your imagination will allow
  • A quick fix for a tired lawn can be made with a lawn colourant like ColourGuard area can cost less than a third that of other surface covering to construct

We all want a place to relax after a busy day, and you can have one right at your doorstep! Before you start throwing pillows and cane furniture around, take some time to think about how you plan to use your outdoor area, the key things you’d like in it and importantly, the maintenance and upkeep required. A new lawn area offers a low-cost-per-square-metre option with construction costs at less than a third that of most hard surfaces like concrete, pavers or synthetic turf. (Source: Landscape Association of NSW). The ongoing maintenance with mowing and edging can be just a few hundred dollars per year depending on whether you do it yourself or get someone in – and the size of your lawn of course. You can’t really put a price on the easy-access for safe-play and exercise it provides for children and pets or simply to allow you to relax in the cooling, quiet oasis of your own backyard lawn. Remember, to have an appealing outdoor entertainment area, you don’t necessarily need to go all out with creative fixtures and gadgets. Sometimes less is more. Garden lighting is a simple way to add some atmosphere into your backyard. From practical to the pretty, low-cost lighting is a quick way to ‘brighten-up’ your lawn area. Low-maintenance plants are not only low-maintenance, but can look great in your outdoor area too! Plants like potted succulents and strappy grasses are drought tolerant and only need to be watered every now and then. Edging your lawn is another nifty way to add some life to your backyard. Edging can be done with pretty much anything, all it needs to do is separate your lawn from your garden beds.

outdoor entertaining area
Simple edging here with rocks or treated pine makes for a standout delineation of the lawn area

Trends come and go in this area but edging from steel to plastic, rocks to bricks and pavers and concrete; you’re only limited to your imagination to what kind of barrier will keep your lawn out of your garden and vice-versa. For more drastic effects, why not look at a retaining wall or even a raised garden bed or lawn area that will add another dimension to your yard. Different levels can better define your outdoor entertainment area and you can get creative with finishes, planting and lighting. Retaining walls can also help fix drainage or slope issues and dramatically improve your lawn’s appearance. It’s one of those larger projects that you may not be inclined to take on yourself, however; and if you’re looking at anything close to a metre or more, you’ll need to talk to a licensed professional. When it comes to a spot for the barbeque, flooring such as timber decking, concrete or dark pavers are an ideal base for an outdoor entertainment area. A tip here is to apply a sealer to ensure a low-maintenance paving solution, avoiding stains and unnecessary cleaning.

If you need a quick fix for your lawn for an upcoming function, why not look at a lawn paint, like Lawn Solutions Australia’s ColourGuard, which can be used on drought or frost affected lawns, and instantly restores the natural colour of your grass while also reducing watering needs. Perfect for an instant makeover for your outdoor entertainment area! Lawncare doesn’t need to be difficult and simple hints from Lawn Solutions Australia and their network of member turf growers and Lawn Solutions Centres Australia-wide can help with products to keep your lawn in top condition this autumn.

Video – How to Treat a Compacted Lawn

Posted on by Anthony

A smaller area of lawn can be aerated manually with aerating sandals (sandals with spikes attached to the bottom that aerate the lawn as you walk) or a sturdy garden fork. Simply insert the fork into the lawn and punch holes into the turf. Aim for a spacing between the holes of around 8 – 10 cms. In order to achieve adequate aeration you may need to go over the area twice in a different direction each time.

Improving your soil

Posted on by Anthony
  • Aeration and topdressing at the right time of year can help the performance of most lawns
  • Soil additives and conditioners can help bring your soil up to a better condition for your lawn to thrive
  • For specialised local knowledge on your soil issues talk to your local Lawn Solutions Centre or closest Lawn Solutions Australia Turf Grower

Soils come in many types from sandy to clayey soils with all manner of ratios of these in between – and as well as the make-up – there’s the nutrient and organic content to consider also. Without calling in a soil scientist or agronomist to check out your soil issues there are a few simple things we can look at to help get a better growing medium for your lawn. One of the biggest soil problems in lawns is compaction and that occurs usually just under the grass on the surface of the soil layer where foot traffic – from people, kids and pets – gets packed down where the air is squeezed out and a hard layer remains. Water then tends to lay on top, the roots and microbes and worms that normally thrive in this area find it hard to survive and the lawn struggles as well. This can even happen on sandy soils where either the soil that came with your turf originally is causing a problem or the thatch build-up over time is causing an issue. Aeration in these cases is usually the best option and the addition of a sand-rich topdressing-mix can help to work into the aeration holes and provide better drainage and airflow. Depending on what stage you are at with your lawn, there are a number of soil additives and conditioners that can assist in bringing your soil up to a better condition for your lawn to thrive. A few additives and conditioners are listed below but for the best advice talk to your local Lawn Solutions Centre or closest Lawn Solutions Australia Turf Grower for specialised knowledge.

  • Wetting agents attract water to the soil and lawn to help it penetrate rather than run off.

They are a type of detergent that attracts water to the soil particles and come in liquid and granular form. They are particularly useful for sandy soils that are prone to becoming hydrophobic, repelling water, especially after dry periods, but can be used on any soil to help make the most of our precious water.

  • Water storage crystals absorb and store water available to roots.

For new lawns, the crystals need to be incorporated into the soil prior to laying the turf, in the same way you use a starter fertiliser, another highly recommended procedure.

  • Starter Fertiliser provides essential nutrients and trace elements for your lawn.

Lawn Solutions Australia’s Lawn Launcher is a starter fertiliser with a balanced combination of nutrients, elements and moisture magnets to help establish a new lawn.

  • Lime (calcium carbonate) helps raise pH and neutralise acidic soil.
  • Gypsum is calcium sulfate dihydrate and helps break down clay soils.
  • Lime and gypsum are ideal additives prior to installing new turf however can be added as a topdress and when worked down into the soil help with breaking up clay and taking up of nutrients by your lawn.
  • Leave the clippings on your lawn to act as a natural fertiliser as it breaks down. Aerate and topdress in the warmer months to help alleviate any compaction.
  • Apply organic or synthetic fertilisers a few times a year to keep your soil and lawn in peak condition.

 

What’s the deal with lawn paint?

Posted on by Anthony
  • Lawn paints can instantly improve the colour of a lawn with amazing natural-looking results
  • Lawn paints come in different types and plant-based pigment types are said to be the safest
  • Lawn paints can add quick colour to a lawn – ideal for a function or ‘for sale’ photos.

Lawn paint, such as Lawn Solutions Australia’s ColourGuard, can be used on drought or frost affected lawns, and instantly restores the natural colour of your grass while reducing watering needs. ColourGuard lawn paint is actually a natural plant-based pigment that allows your lawn to remain green all year round, even during droughts and extreme temperatures. ColourGuard for example, is 100 percent organic, making it safe for the environment, people and pets. It sounds too good to be true… What’s the catch? If you use high quality lawn paint such as ColourGuard; good news, there is no catch! However, using lower quality lawn paint can make your lawn prone to staining feet, clothing, and fixtures.

Lower quality lawn paints might not be biodegradable. ColourGuard lawn paint allows you to boost your kerb appeal, ideal for ensuring your property is sold for the highest price possible. A glowing, green lawn is also a must for backyard parties and BBQs, or for just showing off your lawn. When using ColourGuard, if you accidentally spray a hard surface, simply wash off the spray into the lawn with hosed water. Your lawn will take about two hours to dry in full sunlight, or slightly longer if your lawn isn’t in full sun. ColourGuard is a permanent colourant, it will only disappear as the grass blade grows, it will not be washed off by rain or water, once the spray has dried. ColourGuard Lawn Paint

Other benefits of ColourGuard for the home lawn:

  • ColourGuard instantly restores the natural green colour of grass – year round
  • Substantially reduces watering needs and stays green during droughts and water restrictions
  • Is UV fade resistant and won’t bleed, run, or stain once absorbed into the grass
  • Is organic and natural – no harmful chemicals and safe for the environment, pets and people
  • Works in extreme heat, cold and frost
  • Reduces the amount of fertiliser and water used on lawns to achieve amazing results
  • Can be simply applied by the home-owner as easy as applying a spray fertiliser

Buy ColourGuard lawn paint online

It’s easy to buy ColourGuard online direct from the Lawn Store, in two sizes:

Lawn Care Myths Busted

Posted on by Anthony
  • Organic debris like leaves and clippings can be left on your lawn to breakdown as mulch
  • Mowing in the same pattern is not recommended
  • Watering occasionally is better for your lawn than ‘little-often’

  1. Collect your grass clippings?

Many believe leaving grass clippings on your lawn will create thatch. Grass clippings breakdown quite quickly, are estimated to be made up of 85-95 percent water and add to the organic layer below your lawn. Grass clippings act as a natural fertiliser, with beneficial nutrients like potassium, nitrogen and phosphorous. If it’s been a while since you mowed or the length has gotten away from you, then try bringing the height down over a few days so there’s not too much (greater than about 25mm – or 1 inch) clipping left on your lawn as too much clipping left on the lawn can cause problems.

  1. Strict mowing pattern?

While regular mowing is important, mowing in the same patterns causes your lawn to develop a ‘memory’, making the blades fall the same way. This can eventually deprive your lawn from sunlight and water. You can also track ruts into your lawn from going over the same wheel marks all the time. Simply mow in alternate directions and change your patterns to ensure a more evenly cut, with less compaction and a better-looking lawn.

  1. Don’t leave leaves on your lawn!

While a heavy layer can smother your lawn, a moderate to light layer of leaves can be mulched back into the lawn, providing nutrients for your grass. Shredding the leaves as you mow the lawn is all you need to do.

  1. Overwatering your lawn

If you take care of your lawn properly, the need for water is minimal. Deeper, less frequent, watering is much more beneficial than the mindset of “the more, the better” when it comes to your lawn. Overwatering can result in short roots, fungus, and a high bill from your water company! Sticking to this routine – even if you have an automated sprinkler – will ensure your lawns root system is delving deep for moisture and will survive dry periods with less stress.

  1. Overnight or afternoon watering is best

Many people believe that watering your lawn in the afternoon after the sun has gone down or at night is best, but this is not the case! When you water your lawn at night or in the afternoon, your lawn will be sitting damp till the next morning. This is not good for your lawn as it can then be susceptible to fungal diseases. The best time to water is in the morning, before the heat of the day.

  1. Cutting grass shorter will make it grow slower

Cutting the grass too short can harm the roots and stunt growth. It’s important to mow at the appropriate height for your grass type, and to avoid cutting more than one-third of the blade at a time.

  1. Lawns and lawn care are boring to talk about!

Talking about your love for your lawn can be a great icebreaker, especially when you have some hilarious puns to go with it. Just ask the specialists at Lawn Solutions Australia . . . they’re easy to ‘get-a-lawn-with’!

Tips for Shade on Your Lawn

Posted on by Anthony

As the sun gets lower in the sky, the amount of sunlight your lawn will receive will decrease – but how much shade can your lawn tolerate, and what can you do about it? When most new lawns go in following housing construction, quite often shade is overlooked as a factor as any trees and shrubs are often newly planted as well and won’t affect the lawn for some time. With shrinking block sizes and larger homes becoming more of the norm however, shade can be an issue for your lawn from neighbouring buildings.

shady lawn

How to help a shaded lawn

  • Water your lawn less frequently in shaded areas
  • Prune trees and shrubs back to allow more sunlight to your lawn
  • Never mow off more than one-third of the leaf at a time
  • Choose a shade tolerant turf variety

Consider the effort stadiums go to these days to manage their turf with massive grow-light setups and closable roofs and you’ll get an idea of how the professionals try to manage shade. Managing the shade itself at home if you can is also a priority and may require routine pruning of trees, bushes and other foliage to allow as much sunlight as possible onto your lawn. Avoid over-watering, as shade prevents the quick evaporation of dew or surface water and continued dampness encourages diseases that inhabit growing grass.

It is best to water shaded areas only when absolutely necessary and then water deeply. When mowing, never cut more than one third of the length off the blade. It can be best in shady areas to remove clippings to allow as much light as possible to reach the soil. If your lawn refuses to grow in a high-shade-area regardless of what you do, unfortunately the last option could be to remove the lawn and replace it with a new pathway or garden bed, or – we hate to say it – artificial turf.

Choosing a Lawn for a Shaded Area

The amount of shade will vary with the time of year and the aspect of the lawn area to these structures. In these circumstances it helps from the outset to choose the right lawn type to keep your lawn alive in heavy shade. Soft Leaf Buffalo grasses like Sir Walter DNA Certified in Australia tend to do the best in the shade with most tolerating 50 to 70 percent shade. This is about three to four hours of direct sun each day, or speckled sunlight from trees for the majority of the day.

sir walter lawn

Sir Grange Zoysia is a new highly shade tolerant turf variety which requires very low fertilising and inputs due to it’s extremely slow growth habit. As a result, Sir Grange doesn’t require as much sunlight, so it can survive in areas of high shade, once fully established.

Sir Grange Zoysia

Another turf variety that has impressive shade tolerance qualities is TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda. TifTuf has increased gibberellic acid production which results in superior stimulation of photosynthesis. This greatly assists in its winter colour retention as well as the plants ability to have increased photosynthesis, meaning it has a greater ability to absorb sunlight. TifTuf needs around 5-6 hours of direct light per day to thrive.

tiftuf hybrid bermuda grass

Lawn care doesn’t need to be difficult and simple hints from Lawn Solutions Australia and their network of member turf growers and Lawn Solutions Centres Australia-wide can help with products to keep your lawn in top condition this summer. You can see who your local turf suppliers are here.

Lawn Solutions enewsletter

What’s the best way to prepare the soil for new turf?

Posted on by Anthony

The builders have left a mess . . . What’s the best way to prepare the soil for new turf?

  • Successful establishment of all lawn types relies on proper soil preparation
  • Keep drainage and the grade of your lawn area in mind as it should slope enough to allow surface water to drain away quickly
  • Steep slopes or batters can be sometimes addressed with retaining walls or garden beds.

By following this list of tips and tricks ‘built’ just for preparing soil, you should have a happy and healthy new lawn.

  • Preparation for establishing a lawn usually begins after construction activities have finished, or before topsoil has been introduced.
  • Successful establishment of all lawn types relies on proper soil preparation. Without preparing your soil properly, your lawn can suffer from poor soil drainage, compaction, pH or fertility problems that could have otherwise been simply prevented.
  • Keep drainage and the grade of your lawn area in mind as it should slope enough to allow surface water to drain away from your house yet be gradual enough to allow for easy maintenance and outdoor activities.
  • Where steep slopes exist (over 40%) or grades change drastically, consider installing retaining walls or other surface plantings in these areas as mowing and other maintenance may become difficult after you’ve finished.
  • Removing weeds and debris is important when preparing your soil. One of the best methods for eliminating weeds is using an environmentally-friendly herbicide, such as a non-residual glyphosate herbicide like Roundup.
  • It is recommended to strip the top layer of your soil by around 150mm (six inches) and this will ensure the removal of any debris, clay or poor growing medium.
  • Beware of areas where mortar or ‘brickies sand’ were stored as they can cause high pH issues in your soil, it’s the last thing you want to happen after getting your turf established.
  • When setting up levels, establish and stake or mark out subgrade and topsoil levels, keeping to requirements for any drainage, irrigation and shaping work.

Lawn Solutions Australia has an extensive selection of specifications for lawn establishment and to see further details on preparing your soil, click here

There’s dead patches in my lawn . . .

Posted on by Anthony

Turn your moonscape back into a landscape today…

What’s the cause?

If you own pets, such as dogs and chickens, and they like to scratch and dig, they can be an obvious  cause. If so, the best thing to do is to try to keep your pets away from the little sandpits in your lawn. Chickens aren’t the easiest animals to train and more-often-than-not, fencing off your lawn isn’t the most practical option. Lawn tractors allow your chickens to have access to your lawn, under your control. For more details on chicken-proofing your lawn, see our  Tips to Protect your Lawn From Chickens article. Dog urine on your lawn will usually kill the affected area, leaving a small brown spot. The high nitrogen content is responsible for the burning, and the brown spots will repair within a week or two. There are mineral based ‘dog rocks’ available that can be placed in the dog’s drinking water. These dog-safe rocks filter out impurities from the water, such as ammonia and nitrates, to make the urine less likely to burn the lawn. Most healthy lawns will overcome pests and disease if it’s not too severe. To ensure your lawn is in best health, it’s best to look at simple measures in your lawn-maintenance program and include periodical aerating and top-dressing on top of your regular fertilising, mowing and watering when required. If there are dry spots in your lawn, then lack of water or poor soil and drainage is the culprit. As a quick fix; look at applying a wetting agent solution over your entire lawn, with more focus on the affected area. Water the affected area very well with a hose, followed by watering the entire lawn.

Dead patches in lawn

Lawn grubs and worms can be a problem at certain times of the year and can be hard to diagnose. When breeding and environmental conditions align they can be a problem and can cause dead patches. Try placing a wet hessian bag or old towel on your lawn overnight and then lift it up in the morning to see if an abundance of creepy-crawleys are the cause. Talk to your local nursery supplier or closest Lawn Solutions Centre for the best method of eliminating grubs – depending on the time of year and severity of the infestation. Lack of sunlight is another common cause of bare patches. Heavy pruning of surrounding foliage to allow more sunlight onto the lawn, or reassessing if the lawn should be in the shaded area are the best solutions. It’s also important to ensure you have the right lawn type for your environmental conditions and it’s a good idea to talk to your nearest Lawn Solutions Australia member turfgrower to check on your next best steps in getting the most out of your lawn.

What type of lawn is best for allergies?

Posted on by Anthony
  • Rye grasses are the most common causes of pollen-induced allergies, hay fever and asthma
  • Many Australian turf-types are warm-season-grasses meaning they have runners and not much seed or pollen
  • A healthy lawn can help reduce pollen in the air by trapping these minute particles as well as dust and other pollutants

It’s been one of those seasons it seems this year where high pollen counts have caused havoc for people with allergies and hay fever or asthma sufferers. Many sources cite Australia as now being the ‘hay fever capital of the world’ with over 40 percent of young adults suffering symptoms of a runny nose and itchy eyes. Allergic Rhinitis (hay fever) now affects 1 in 5 Australians and predisposes people to more frequent sinus infections.

Pollen from rye grass is the main culprit identified in causing hay fever and rye grass can produce over half a tonne per hectare of pollen that cause allergic responses in susceptible people. Rye grass is literally everywhere and is found in lawns and turf used in many home gardens, roadside verges, parks, sporting fields and tracks as well as pastures. Pollens from a range of other grasses, weeds and trees also contributes to allergic reactions and in addition, non-pollen causes, such as fungal spores and house dust mites may also cause such reactions. (source Asthma Australia)

When it comes to enjoying time in your own backyard and living with an allergy it is often best to look towards a warm-season grass type – one that grows vegetatively  – and not cool season grass types that tend to throw a lot more seed.

Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo for example, is a turf variety that has been specifically tested for allergens and has no known issues. Unless left un-mown or lacking in fertiliser, Sir Walter DNA Certified produces few – if any – seed heads. Native Australian grasses such as kangaroo grass, wallaby grass, weeping grass, and red grass produce a lot less pollen than many other grasses, but are difficult to establish into viable lawns. Buffalo, Kikuyu, Couch and Zoysia grasses are all warm-season grasses that have runners (stolons) and are usually the best turf-type choices when it comes to home lawns in Australia. Ironically, a thick and healthy lawn is a very effective pollen trap. When airborne pollen’s land on a well-maintained lawn, the pollen grains fall between the grass’ many, long leaves and find their way into the thatch where the pollen is trapped and eventually breaks down. Some varieties of lawn produce more seed-heads and pollen when under stress, so ensure your lawn is well maintained, well fertilised, mowed regularly, and watered occasionally and thoroughly to minimise stress conditions. Some children, people and even pets have reactions to lawn-types that are far beyond the scope of these pages, so if you find yourself suffering in your backyard, talk to your medical practitioner about the cause.

You might then be able to seek out a local Lawn Solutions Australia Turfgrower to check out their turf-types to see how you react to their many varieties that they would have on show. By installing the right grass variety, you can hopefully enjoy a luscious, green lawn without the allergy symptoms. Lawncare doesn’t need to be difficult and simple hints from Lawn Solutions Australia and their network of member turf growers and Lawn Solutions Centres Australia-wide can help with products to keep your lawn in top condition this summer.