January 2021

Knock couch mites for six | Miticides

Posted on January 27, 2021March 8, 2021 by Nathan Edwards

Couch Mites can be the pest that stops your lawn from being the best it can be.

Couch Mites| Aceria cynodoniensis

These tiny pests can only be seen under a microscope, but if present, their damage can be seen every time you look at your lawn.

A couch mite effected lawn will have the growing point of the leaves looking like a “witches’ broom.”

What you are looking for is a deformed leaf blade, which can appear as a boil like shape on the internode. The turf appears bunched up and as a result you cannot get that professional turf appearance you are after, even if you are using a cylinder mower.

Couch Mites are most prevalent just after a renovation or during peak growth times of the year. The life cycle is short, can be 10 to 14 days so population numbers can build quickly when conditions are suitable. Optimal temperature for couch mite damage is 26 degrees, making them a common problem in Summer in many warm season turf varieties, not just couch.

Couch Mite damage may look like the image below. The grass surface is bunched, and bare patches will be created if not treated. Notice how the area is brown with lime green to brown dead leaves.

Couch Mites will cripple turf recovery, as they feed, they inject toxins into the plant. The mites can be controlled but toxin remains within the plant.

Once physical damaged is observed (witches’ broom) the pest can be controlled quickly with miticide treatment, but damage can take a long time to recover – potentially all summer.

Image: Couch mite damage in kikuyu grass

Applying Miticides

Couch Mites are small and live between the new growing tips of the turf leaves.

For the best control, apply the miticide with a liberal coverage but using a very fine nozzle, for conventional sprayers turn the nozzle tip till it is at its finest and then apply.

Application must have good coverage of leaves, foliage and crown of the plant to assist with the best chance of contacting mites therefore controlling due to where mites live.
The addition of a non-ionic surfactant like Agral Spray Adjuvant will aid in ensuring the miticide penetrates.

Go over the entire lawn a couple of times to ensure you have got good coverage. Apply 10-20 ml of product in 3- 5 Litres of water over 100sqm in accordance with the label. Make sure you read the miticide label thoroughly before applying.

Miticides like Agador target the adults and nymph stage of the life cycle in which they spend 90% of their life, giving greater opportunity for effective control.

One application will effectively control 1 life cycle with around a 12-day residual. Repeat application 14 days afterwards maybe required in high pressure situations.

*Miticides are classed as group 6 insecticides, so unless you have the relevant training and certification it is best to get a professional in to apply these products for you.*

Important miticide application notes

Do not apply to turf under heat or moisture stress
Do not apply if rainfall is imminent
Do not apply under slow drying conditions
Do not mix with other fertilisers
Apply by ground boom sprayer or low-pressure hand wand only
Do not apply with a nozzle height greater than 50cm above the ground

Treatment Steps

Apply a miticide such as Agador to kill the couch mites
Lower the mowing height to remove the damaged leaves if possible.
Fertilise the area to encourage new growth
Do NOT allow the turf to dry out, Mites prefer dry turf to well irrigated.
Miticide should be re applied 2 weeks after 1^st application to ensure the mites stay away.

Couch Mites Prevention

If couch mite damage occurs, additional inputs like water, fertiliser and other protection products are required to aid grass recovery. For this reason, preventative treatments with a miticide are recommended rather than treating and repairing an already infested lawn.

Controlling couch mites and bringing your turf back to full health will take time.

The ideal time to treat couch mites in a preventative manner is just prior to a renovation. This will protect the plants prior to them going under stress, this will aid in quicker recovery requiring less inputs.

Or twice a year late spring and mid-summer application as preventatives.

By looking out for the signs and being proactive with early treatment, you will have a better-looking lawn by controlling one of the most destructive warms season grass pests.

5 Summer Sprinkler Solutions

Posted on January 27, 2021January 27, 2021 by Nathan Edwards

Irrigation or sprinkler solutions can be an investment for your lawn, especially throughout dryer seasons, however it can be difficult to determine what is the best choice for you especially when there are many different types on the market.

We have looked into the world of sprinklers to help you find the best choice for you and your lawn size, while considering factors such as cost, coverage and convenience.

Wobble-Tee Sprinkler

The Wobble-Tee Sprinkler works by throwing water in every direction at different distances while rotating in a circular motion. This allows for water to be evenly distributed across your lawn. These sprinklers spray water similar to the way light rain may fall on your lawn. Distributing water in this way helps water soak into the profile of the soil and avoids pooling of water and runoff which can ultimately waste water. The sprinkler also has the ability to connect other sprinklers from the same tap, which is a handy feature when watering over a larger area. The Wobble-Tee Sprinkler price point is higher than other sprinkler options, however they are definitely worth their investment.

Impact sprinkler

Impact sprinklers have two arms, the larger arm spitting water at high pressure and the other hitting the stream of water to distribute evenly. These sprinklers can have a spike that will go into the soil to provide more stability, however, may require a little more time when installing compared to other sprinklers.

Impact sprinklers mostly come with an adjustable arc, which enables you to avoid certain areas in your garden such as kids play equipment. These sprinklers can produce less mist which otherwise can be easily carried away with the wind, allowing for more water to land on your lawn. It is important to also note they can be noisy, depending on the brand and model. These sprinklers do vary in their price point depending on their quality and model. Impact sprinklers are a good option for you if you have a large area to be watered and/or have areas which may need to be avoided.

Oscillating sprinkler

Oscillating sprinklers move in a back and forwards motion across your lawn imitating rainfall. These sprinklers can cover a medium rectangular sized area and are best suited for wide-open areas where no obstacles are where you are wanting to water. Some oscillating sprinklers are not adjustable which may make it more difficult to avoid garden features, such as trees and kids play areas. So, if you are wanting to water a medium sized open area, the oscillating sprinkler is a good option for you.

Stationary sprinklers

Stationary sprinklers are one of the most common types of sprinklers on the market. These sprinklers will usually have a hole at the top where the water is dispersed from and only spread water out to one location. This allows for the targeted area to be watered quickly. Some stationary sprinklers will have adjustable settings to allow you to control where water is released from and what direction they will spray at. These sprinklers are best used for small garden and lawn areas.

Soaker hoses

Soaker hoses have small holes on one side of the hose allowing for water to be distributed across the length of the hose. As these sprinklers do no throw water across an area, less evaporation and water loss will occur compared to other sprinkler types. These sprinklers work best when laid out straight and flat so that water can be dispersed evenly across the selected area. It is also important to note that these sprinklers do have a varying price point, depending on the length, brand and material of the hose. These sprinklers are best used for open lawns or longer narrow lawns such as up the side of the house.

Another more professional and water efficient soaker hose available is the Sumi Soaker. The Sumi Soaker is a lightweight watering solution available in 12.5m length with ready to use fittings perfect for home lawns.

By knowing what type of sprinkler will work best for your lawn and garden area you will be able to water your area more effectively. The best time to water your lawn is early morning or in the late afternoon when there is no wind and less chance for heat related evaporation.

For more information on watering your lawn check out our blog A Complete Guide for Watering Lawns.

Weeds you shouldn’t pull out by hand…

Posted on January 27, 2021September 19, 2024 by Nathan Edwards

‘A weed is just a flower growing in the wrong place’ – This is definitely true in many situations.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to manage many types of weeds is to simply pull them out by hand. If you have some undesirable ‘weeds’ growing in your lawn, then removing them in most cases like this is pretty straight forward. But there are some weeds you shouldn’t pull out by hand.

By doing so, you can actually make the spread of these weeds worse. This is usually as a result of leaving nasty bulbs or nuts behind in the soil, that continue to spread and multiply out of sight before emerging again. A lot of action can be occurring below the ground and it’s important that this is considered before going straight in there for the pull.

If you have any of these particular weeds in your lawn, here’s what you need to know…

Nutgrass

A noxious weed, nutgrass is part of the Sedge weed family which also includes Mullumbimby Couch. Nutgrass gets its name from the nut-like tubers found on the roots (rhizomes) of the plant. This weed is identifiable as it is usually a lighter green than the rest of your lawn and tends to grow taller. Nutgrass has 3 blades that shoot up from the stem and has a triangular stem rather than a circular stem like most grasses.

Treatment

If you find Nutgrass in your lawn, it is best you act quickly before it spreads and becomes almost impossible to remove. If there is only a small amount, you can remove it by digging it out with a small spade, but you have to be extremely diligent with this to ensure there is no roots or bulbs left in the soil, as Nutgrass will reappear if left behind. Simply pulling the nutgrass out by hand will leave these nut-like tubers in the soil, allowing them to continue to spread.

If there is a large amount of Nutgrass in your lawn, you will need to treat it with a selective herbicide such as Sedge Control.

Soursob

Soursobs spread with clover-like leaves along the ground, producing flowers with 5 petals and have a long white tuberous root. Cooler conditions are when Soursobs like to appear in Autumn and Winter. The problem with Soursobs is that they are extremely resilient to herbicides and have a fast-growing system of onion like bulbs growing beneath the surface. In addition to this, they have small secondary bulbs known as bulbils. These bulbils are attached to the root system and each Soursob can have as many as 20 bulbils! When you remove the plant, the bulbils are left behind that then detach and grow into a new plant and the cycle continues.

Treatment

Completely eradicating Soursobs from your lawn will take a bit of time and effort. It is not recommended to remove them by hand, as the bulbils will break off and continue to grow beneath the soil allowing it to reappear. There are also no selective herbicides readily available for domestic lawns that will target the Soursobs, so you will need to take a few other steps to try and remove it. Mowing them off regularly will weaken the plant helping your grass to overcome the infestation. Bulb exhaustion occurs just before flowering, so this is the perfect time to implement your mowing and non-selective herbicide application, when the plant is weak. This is the only stage that physical removal will be an option, by digging up under the plant and removing the soil around it as well.

You will be able to tell the plant is at the exhaustion stage if you carefully dig up a plant – the adult bulb will be shrivelled and the root under the bulb won’t have grown yet or is extremely young and thin. Spot spraying carefully or using a weed wand with an application of Glyphosate (Round Up or Zero) will be your best course of action, but you must be careful when applying as it will kill your turf as well. Acting quickly will also help you to stop them in their tracks before they produce more bulbils.

Onion Weed

Onion weed is a menace in lawns and garden beds right around Australia. It is one of the worst weeds that you can have take-hold in your yard as it is also one of the most difficult to get rid of.

Onion weed is a perennial with thin green strappy leaves growing from a mainly white bulb which gives off an onion smell when crushed. Flowers grow at the top of a long stalk and are mainly white.

Treatment

Eradicating onion weed starts with removing as many of the plants as possible. Do not try to pull the plant out of the ground or shake excess dirt back off into the hole or compost. The small bulblets tend to pull away from the mother plant when pulled, which leaves more bulbs in the ground that will rapidly grow. If possible, dig the weed-clump out of the ground with a spade or a trowel, and throw the entire clump away.

The next step to total eradication of onion weed is to treat the area with either a non-selective herbicide like Roundup or even boiling water.

If you have an extensive problem, onion weed and onion grass (Guildford Grass) can be treated with a selective herbicide called Duke.

5 Basics of Lawn Care

Posted on January 27, 2021March 4, 2021 by Nathan Edwards

Whether you are wanting to keep your lawn looking tidy or wanting to make your lawn the best it can be, here’s some basics of lawn care to get you started.

5 Basics of Lawn Care

Mowing

One of the most simple and easy ways to help maintain a good-looking lawn with little hassle is to regularly mow your lawn. By mowing regularly, your house will not only look great from the street but will help your lawn stay healthy.

In summer, many lawn varieties will grow much faster, so more regular mowing will be required to stay on top of new growth. In winter less mowing will be required as your lawn will grow at a much slower rate as it will become dormant.

To ensure that your lawn is getting a clean-cut, sharp mower blades are a must. If your mower blades are blunt, you can either change the blade yourself or drop your mower off at a mower shop and leave it to the experts.

A general rule of thumb is to only remove a third of the leaf at one time to help reduce the stress of your lawn.

If you are feeling a bit flash, take a look at the Husqvarna Auto Mower range. These machines are great as they will regularly mow and return to its charger by its self, giving you a perfectly manicured lawn without the effort of using a push mower.

Fertilising

Fertilisers are a great way to give your lawn the essential nutrients it needs while encouraging growth.

Although there are many options to choose from when searching for fertilisers, a slow or controlled release fertiliser is a good option as it will release nutrients to your lawn over time, keeping it healthier for longer. We recommend using the slow release Lawn Solutions Premium Lawn Fertiliser.

When applying the fertiliser, it is best to spread the product out as evenly as possible. We recommend using a fertiliser spreader and applying fertiliser in an orderly fashion to achieve an even application. To avoid leaf burn, give the area a good water to ensure none of the product is on the leaf. By doing this it will also help stop curious pets from eating pellets.

With most lawn varieties we recommended that you fertilise your lawn 3-4 times a year.

Weeding

When your lawn is healthy and has strong lateral growth, most weeds can be prevented as the lawn can stop other plant material from growing. So, by focusing on encouraging your grass to become strong and healthy, fewer weeds should appear.

When hand removing weeds, it is important to remember to remove the entire root system, as the weed can make a comeback if roots are left behind. Using a weeding tool such as the Fiskars Weed Puller will help make removal easier.

For common weeds such as Bindii, Creeping Oxalis, Catsear, Clover and Cudweed a broad leaf herbicide such as Lawn Solutions All Purpose Weed Control and Amgrow Bin Die can be used as a treatment option.

When using a non-selective herbicide such as Round-Up (Glyphosate), extra care will be required upon application to ensure only the weed is treated. When applying a non-selective herbicide, we recommend using a weed wand or a small paintbrush to help ensure the product only goes onto the weed and not plant material that you are wanting to keep.

For more information on removing weeds click here.

Watering

When watering there is a few things to keep in mind to ensure your lawn is getting enough water when it needs it.

Water in the morning before the sun heats up. By watering in the morning your lawn will become less susceptible to diseases as the ground will not stay damp for a long period of time. More water will also be able to be absorbed into the soil profile as there will be less evaporation occurring.

Watering your lawn for longer periods of time less frequently will improve the drought tolerance of your lawn. With this type of watering’s your lawns roots are encouraged to grow further down into the profile of the soil and helping the grass to be able to withstand long time periods without water. So, 30-minute watering’s as needed is ideal.

Aeration

Aeration is a simple way to allow your lawn to grow a stronger and more established root system. By aerating your lawn, you will be able to help improve the lawn’s ability to better absorb water.

To aerate your lawn, you can use either a garden fork, lawn aerator sandals, or a tyne aerator. When using a garden fork, we recommend that you drive the fork around 100mm into the soil profile, then wiggle the fork back and forth to help break up the soil.

By staying consistent with your lawn care activities, mowing and watering regularly as required, giving your lawn a feed every now and again, you can ensure you will have a healthy and fantastic looking lawn.

For more lawn care information check out our other blogs here.

Liquid Lawn Tonics to the Rescue!

Posted on January 27, 2021March 8, 2021 by Nathan Edwards

A great looking lawn is a place everyone enjoys, but not everyone has the time or knowledge to achieve a showcase lawn. This is where liquid ‘lawn tonics’ can come in handy.

Liquid Fertilisers

Liquid fertilisers or ‘lawn tonics’ can provide a quick response from your grass. The nutrients are almost immediately available to be absorbed through the roots or leaves, correcting nutrient deficiencies quickly or giving the plant a general boost through the growing season. You can also use a liquid fertiliser straight after mowing to reduce foliar stress to the cut leaf.

The nitrogen in liquid fertiliser is usually derived from urea, which can be absorbed through the leaves of your lawn. So unlike granular fertilisers, which require a soil-borne reaction at temperature, the liquid fertiliser will give your lawn an instant boost, even when the weather is still quite cool.

If your lawn is a little drought weary, lacking colour or suffering from the harsh climate, then it’s Lawn Rescue… to the rescue!

Lawn Rescue is a premium dual action spray-on liquid fertiliser product designed to restore lawns that have lost colour and appearance due to drought, heat or lack of water and nutrients.

Lawn Rescue contains a blend of liquid fertilisers, seaweed extracts and wetting agents making it the complete treatment to revive your lawn. It is ideal for use during establishment, post establishment and for a boost at any time during the year.

Key Strengths:

Suitable for use on all lawn varieties
Perfect for new and established lawns at any time of year
Contains a wetting agent to help drought proof lawns

When used as a starter fertiliser, it effectively promotes the development of root systems and early turf growth. In established lawns it stimulates, supports and protects root growth and is best used to compliment your granular fertilising regime.

The seaweed extracts work to condition the soil and promote healthy root growth. Then the wetting agents improve your soil’s ability to absorb precious moisture, thus optimising water availability to your lawn.

Analysis:

Nitrogen (N) – 5%
Phosphorus (P) – 7%
Potassium (K) – 2%
Kelp – 7.5%
Polyacrylamide (PAM) – 7.5%
Trace Elements

While liquid fertilisers like Lawn Rescue are great for a quick boost of nutrient or during times of stress, it’s important to consider longer-term health as well. This is why we recommend that you use a granular, slow-release fertiliser like Lawn Solutions Fertiliser about 3-4 times a year, as this will help to maintain the overall health of your lawn for longer periods.

If you are looking for an instant improvement in colour, then another great liquid option is ColourGuard Plus.

Instant Colour Pigments

ColourGuard Plus is a natural pigment, but also a liquid fertiliser. This pigment is absorbed into the leaf where it provides an instant boost in natural colour. If your lawn is growing rapidly, the pigment will be removed when you mow the leaf off next, so ColourGuard Plus is best used when your lawn is growing slowly. This occurs during the hottest periods of summer and again during winter in most areas. For more information on ColourGuard Plus click here.

With a combination of both liquid lawn tonics and granular fertiliser applications throughout the year, your lawn will have everything it needs for healthy leaf growth and root development.

Is Urine Burn Ruining Your Lawn?

Posted on January 27, 2021April 3, 2024 by Nathan Edwards

Dog urine is often one of the leading causes of dead patches in our lawns. Urine burns can be particularly frustrating as the solution is not always clear. We have looked into a variety of options that could help to stop or reduce the effect of urine burns on your lawn.

But first…

Why does my dog’s urine kill my lawn?

Protein taken in by dogs is excreted through the dog’s urine as nitrogen. As dog’s urine can be quite concentrated with nitrogen, our lawns can become burnt and die off. This can become particularly annoying, especially when these patches are in areas of high visibility or of which you wish to enjoy.

Urine Burn Prevention Tips

Dog Rocks

A popular option by many dog owners is Dog Rocks. Dog Rocks help by filtering out impurities in water, such as tin, ammonia and nitrates. These rocks are simply added to your dog’s water bowl where they are claimed to make the necessary adjustments for burn-free urine. Although this product does not help areas which have already been affected by urine burn, they can however, help to stop more spots from occurring. Dog Rocks can start working 8-10 hours after being placed into your dog’s water bowl and will need replacing every 2 months.

Pee Post

The Simple Solution Pee Post Pheromone Stake has been treated with a specific scent to encourage your pets to urinate in a specific area. The stick can be placed in an area of your backyard that you want to encourage your pets to urinate at. This will help stop your dogs from weeing across the lawn. This stake will release the scent continuously for months. This option takes out the need to change or alter your dogs diet.

Watering and Irrigation Methods

If you are able to dilute your dog’s urine before it is able to absorb and dry, you will be able to limit the concentration and reduce the likelihood for burning. If you have an irrigation or watering system that you can add a timer to, you could set it to come on more regularly throughout the day or specifically in areas that you know your dog regularly uses. While this may not be frequent enough to be effective all of the time, it may be enough to significantly reduce the amount of burning that is occurring.

Of course, if you happen to be around when your dog does their business, a quick blast with the hose will greatly limit burns to your lawn.

Dietary Adjustments

When looking to make changes to your dog’s diet to reduce the impact of urine, it is recommended that you contact your local veterinarian to ensure you are still providing your fury friends with their essential nutrient requirements and not causing them any harm.

Some options include:

Filtering your dog’s water before adding to their water bowl. Filtered water can work in a similar way to Dog Rocks, by removing impurities in the water. If you do not have access to a filtered water tap, a popular option is to use a filtered water jug. These jugs often come with a removable filter which can be changed every 2 months.
By feeding your dog a high-quality and well-balanced diet with the appropriate protein levels for your dog’s breed, you should be able to reduce the concentration of nitrogen in your dog’s urine.
Adding one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s water is claimed to help remove nitrogen from your dog’s urine. However, it is important to note that there is no substantial evidence that this method will be successful. If you do decide to try this method, we recommend that you use a natural apple cider vinegar from a health food store and get in contact with your local vet prior to use.

Training

Training your dog to only use one area of your lawn may be an effective option to help stop widespread damage. It is best to choose an area of your lawn which isn’t used as often or is not visible from where you like to relax and enjoy your garden.
Training your dog to use a synthetic pet potty mat could also be an effective option that won’t require any changes to your dog’s diet. There are a variety of pet potty mats available both online and in stores. It is important to note that this option may be timely as training is required but can provide a long-term solution.
Similar to a synthetic potty mat, you can make your own pet potty mat using turf. This way your dog will still be able to have the same feel of grass underfoot while doing its business. Use a shallow container or tray that is easy for your pets to walk into, place a role of turf into the tray and replace turf as needed. Again, this will take time to train your dog to use but will stop your dog urinating on your lawn.

Treatment for Dog Urine Burns

Once the urine burn has occurred, the burnt turf, may not grow back. But there a few things you can do to help the area recover quickly. Firstly, rake out the dead plant material and lightly raise the area by adding a small amount of topsoil. You can also add some dolomite lime which will reduce the acidity caused by the urine burn in the soil, making it more favourable for new growth. Follow this up with regular watering and mowing and you will help to encourage lateral growth and further thickening of the lawn.

For more information on repairing patches, check out our blog How to repair a thin and patchy lawn.

By using some of the tips above, or in combination, you should hopefully have some success with limiting the effect of dog urine on your lawn. Good luck!

Fungicides | Treatment & Prevention

Posted on January 27, 2021March 8, 2021 by Nathan Edwards

Unfortunately, when the conditions are right, usually damp and humid, fungal disease could appear in your lawn. These such conditions have been common in many areas across Australia in recent months.

When these turf diseases take hold, it is important that you identify and target the disease with an appropriate response quickly.

Fungal related symptoms to look out for:

Coloured patches or rings in your lawn – yellow, white or brown
Powdery coatings or threads on the grass blade surface
Thinned out areas, or areas of wet or slimy looking turf
Leaf blades with irregular discolouration or texture

What causes fungal disease?

The most common reasons fungal diseases occur are:

Weather conditions, particularly temperature and humidity
Overwatering and watering at night
Soil compaction
Overfertilising or using the wrong type of fertiliser
Incompatible grass varieties for your area
Poor mowing habits – mowing too low in particular

Applying Fungicides

If you have a particularly nasty fungal problem, you will need to apply a fungicide.

Fungicides like Heritage Maxx or Mancozeb kill fungi and the spores within the soil or plant by inhibiting their growth.

Add the required amount of product directly to your spray tank and mix well following the mixing rates and application information on the fungicide label.

When applying ensure even application in order to achieve even disease control. Avoid overlapping sprays.

Precautions

DO NOT apply using spraying equipment carried on the back of the user.
Wait to enter treated areas until the spray has dried, unless wearing chemical resistant gloves and footwear.
DO NOT use this product through any type of irrigation system or ultra-low volume spray system
Make sure you wear the appropriate protective equipment and clothing when using the fungicide as per the label instructions

Fungicides

Heritage Maxx

Heritage Maxx is a liquid broad-spectrum fungicide for the control and prevention of turf diseases including – Pythium, Anthracnose, Brown Patch and Spring Dead Spot. This fungicide provides consistent protection of new growth for up to 28 days after application, making it a great option as part of a preventative plan.

Begin applications before symptoms occur when conditions first favour disease and continue applications while conditions remain favourable for disease development.