March 2022

Back to Basics | Insecticides and Fungicides

Posted on March 28, 2022March 4, 2024 by Sarah

Insecticides and Fungicides are commonly used terms when it comes to lawn care. In this blog, we look at exactly what insecticides and fungicides are, the different types available and when you should use them on your lawn.

Insecticides

When your lawn is getting damaged by an infestation of insects and bugs, you may need to look at using an insecticide to help stop and prevent further damage from occurring.

It is important to note, insects are a normal part of your garden and lawns ecosystem. In fact, many insects like earthworms, praying mantises, bees and lady beetles are beneficial for not just your lawn but your garden’s ecosystem too! So, if you do see bugs and insects in your lawn an insecticide is not always needed.

Some of the main damage causing insects to lawns are infestations of army worm, lawn grubs and mole crickets.

Different types of insecticides

There are a few different types of insecticides available with different active ingredients. Some of the main active ingredients used to stop damage causing insects in lawns are Bifenthrin, Esfenvelerate, or Beta-Cyfluthrin. These types of insecticides are designed to get a quick knockdown.

Acelepryn GR – it’s safe for bees!

There are also insecticides available that will prevent damage causing insects. These products contain the active Acelepryn.

When to apply

If you only notice a few insects like beetles and worms in your lawn, in most cases an insecticide is not needed.

If there is an infestation of damage causing insects like armyworm or lawn grubs, it is best to apply a fast-acting insecticide as soon as possible. To ensure you have fully removed the damage causing insect repeated applications after 7-10 days may be needed to ensure you are treating the entire lifecycle.

When using Acelepryn it is best to apply at any 6-month intervals for season round grub prevention. As a general guide, apply in September/October and March/April for a full year’s worth of protection.

Product recommendations

For fast acting insecticides we recommend using Battle Insecticide which is a concentrate for mixing in a knapsack.

For a preventative, we recommend using Grub Guard Ultimate, Acelepryn GR and Acelepryn Liquid. Acelepryn works by targeting a specific muscle receptor that is common with damaging causing insects. Other non-target organisms like bees, earthworms, birds, fish, dogs, cats, and mammals don’t use the same muscle receptors, making it one of the safest insecticides on the market!

When applying insecticides, ensure you are following the correct application rates and instructions.

Fungicides

Fungicides are used to help stop fungi and diseases from growing. For the most part, fungal diseases are not common in residential lawns. Fungal diseases can appear with the conditions are right, usually damp, and humid conditions. They can also appear from over watering, soil compaction, poor mowing habits and incompatible grass varieties for your area.

For the most part fungal diseases can be avoided with regular mowing, irrigation management, shade management and aeration. If a disease doesn’t clear up after this and the weather is clear, a fungicide may be needed.

Different types of fungicides

There are 2 different types of fungicides available, contact and systemic.

Contact fungicides will treat the fungus that is currently there. They won’t be absorbed by the leaf and are best used for the control of foliar diseases.

A systemic fungicide will treat and prevent fungi and diseases. Systemic fungicides are absorbed by the plant and can kill the spores of the fungus, which helps prevent the fungi.

When to apply

When fungi or disease is present, the first call of action is to improve the environment. This can include reducing shade, mowing regularly, watering only in the morning and aerating. In most cases fungi and diseases will go away on their own as the environmental conditions improve. If the fungi or disease is still present in the following weeks a fungicide may then be required.

Product recommendations

When using fungicides it is always best to check if the product you are using is labelled to stop the specific disease or fungi in your lawn.

For contact fungicides a great all-round option is Mancozeb DG. This fungicide controls Helminthosporium, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Grey Leaf Spot.

For a systemic fungicide we recommend using Heritage Maxx. Heritage Maxx provides control and prevention of a broad-spectrum turf diseases including Pythium, Anthracnose, Brown Patch and Spring Dead Spot. It will also provide consistent protection of new growth for up to 28 days after application.

For more information on insecticides, fungicides, and more lawn care products, check out our other blogs here.

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Guess the Grass Type Quiz

Posted on March 25, 2022November 3, 2022 by Sarah

Do you know the difference between the common grass varieties like Buffalo, Zoysia, Couch and Kikuyu? Put your lawn type knowledge to the test!

Want more information on the common grass types available, their distinguishing features and characteristics? Check out our blog for more information here.

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Who is Lawn Solutions Australia?

Posted on March 25, 2022October 24, 2023 by Sarah

We love sharing our knowledge of lawns, providing advice on the different turf varieties available and explaining the different lawn care products and how best to look after your lawns. But who is Lawn Solutions Australia?

Lawn Solutions Australia

Lawn Solutions Australia, known as LSA for short, is a national network of locally owned, and mostly family operated turf businesses.

To become an LSA Member you must grow turf to a very high standard and be approved by the Australian Genetic Assurance Program for turf called AusGAP to grow the certified grasses that LSA Members supply.

Lawn Solutions Members grow the LSA range of lawn varieties including Sir Walter DNA Certified soft leaf buffalo, TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda or hybrid couch and Sir Grange Zoysia, plus some other grasses that are available specifically for different climates.

LSA Research

These turf grasses were introduced from LSA’s extensive turf research and development program. This program has the largest turf research facility in the Southern Hemisphere.

As part of this turf research program, we work with some of the world’s best turf breeders and scientists. We are wanting to find new and improved grasses that provide consumers better choices when looking for a new lawn variety.

Turf Trials

Thousands of grasses are bred and tested before a short list of elite performers. They are then put into further trials testing how they perform under wear, shade, and drought conditions.

If the grasses are successful in those trials, they will then undergo further trials. These involve herbicide resistance, establishment, and recovery speed and harvestability.

We trial these grasses in a range of climates right across Australia. This helps us see how they will handle the Aussie conditions. LSA will also compare them against existing turf varieties to see how they stand up.

We are looking for grasses that don’t just perform or survive. We are looking for new grasses that provide a point of difference, show exceptional qualities, new qualities unseen in the marketplace before. The cream of the crop.

It is not until or if we find this new grass that we will release to LSA Members for turf production.

The results of this program are represented in the successes achieved by each of the grasses released.

Sir Walter DNA Certified

Sir Walter DNA Certified soft leaf buffalo has led the way as the most successful commercial turf grass in Australia history. It has a great shade tolerance and is incredibly versatile across a range of climates.

TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda

TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda is a somewhat newly introduced grass compared to Sir Walter, that has become the first and only turf grass in the world to be awarded the Smart Approved WaterMark for water efficiency and drought tolerance.

Bred out of the famous Tifton University in Georgia by the world’s best. TifTuf has shown superior qualities to that of over 30,000 different varieties. It is an absolute stand out when it comes to not just this variety of grass, but all grasses.

Sir Grange Zoysia

Sir Grange Zoysia – A grass like no other, Sir Grange can be kept at a range of heights. It’s a slow growing grass that is providing an alternative lawn option. This has never been available at this quality to consumers before.

Originally bred for golf courses, so you know it’s impressive. Sir Grange known as BRF Zeon Zoysia in the US, was used on the Olympics Golf Course in Rio.

We can’t wait to share with you some of the exciting new grasses we currently have in development.

If you are looking to install a new lawn or want to know about any of the grasses our members supply, please get in touch with us here at Lawn Solutions Australia or with your local LSA Member.

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Back to Basics | Fertilisers and Herbicides

Posted on March 24, 2022September 19, 2024 by Sarah

When looking at lawn care products, you will often hear the name fertilisers and herbicides used a lot. In this blog, we look at what exactly fertilisers and herbicides are, the different types available, and when you should use them on your lawn.

Fertilisers

Your lawn is like any other plant. It needs oxygen, water, sunlight, and nutrients to thrive. If your soil is lacking in nutrients, it won’t be able to perform to its full potential. Fertilisers can be used to help replace missing nutrients.

The 3 main macro-nutrients your lawn needs to thrive are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium otherwise known as NPK.

Nitrogen is largely responsible for the growth of the leaves and is the most talked about nutrient when it comes to lawns.

Phosphorus is largely responsible for root growth.

Potassium is a nutrient that helps the overall functions of the plant perform correctly. Potassium also helps the plant use nitrogen efficiently.

Fertilisers usually contain other micro-nutrients like iron, calcium, sulphur, zinc, manganese… the list goes on!

Different types of fertilisers

There are many different types of fertilisers available, from liquids to granular, slow release, fast release, and controlled release.

Granular fertilisers are a popular option and are easy to apply. Granular options are usually available as a slow release and will deliver nutrients to the lawn over a certain period. They are best spread out using a fertiliser spreader to help apply the product evenly.

Liquid fertilisers will provide much quicker results as they are absorbed into the leaf blade of the grass. They are best applied to a lawn using a knapsack or pressure sprayer.

When to apply

Granular fertilisers are best to only be applied 2-3 times a year. Once in Spring, Summer, and Autumn. We recommend using the long weekends as a guide on when to do this, October long weekend, Australia Day, and the Easter long weekend.

Liquid fertilisers can be applied more frequently as they are absorbed and used by the plant faster. Monthly applications of liquid fertilisers are usually recommended when active growth is present or when nutrient deficiency symptoms are visible.

Product recommendations

Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser contains a combination of slow and fast release granules that will give your lawn a quick initial boost and will continue to feed the lawn for up to 12 weeks. This is a well-balanced fertiliser that contains all the essential nutrients your lawn needs to stay healthy and is suitable for all lawn varieties.

Exceed Liquid Fertiliser is a great liquid fertiliser option. Exceed will give your lawn a quick boost as it is absorbed by the leaf of the grass.

Herbicides

If your lawn has weeds or other grasses growing in it, a herbicide can be used to remove it. There is a vast range of herbicides available, some will remove all plant material including grass and others are selective herbicides that target a specific weed.

When using herbicides, you will need to read the label to ensure the herbicide you are using is safe for your lawn type.

Different types of herbicides

There are a few different types of herbicides available.

Pre-emergent herbicides like Oxafert will help stop weed seeds that are already in your lawn, stopping the weed before it grows and spreads. These types of herbicides target seasonal weeds like Winter Grass, Summer Grass, Crabgrass/Crowsfoot, Creeping Oxalis.

Post-emergent herbicides will remove the weeds that are already growing in the lawn.

The most common type of herbicide on the market is a broadleaf herbicide like All Purpose Weed Control or Amgrow Bin Die. These will remove common broadleaf weeds like Bindii, Clover, Catsear, Creeping Oxalis, Cudweed, and Plain Thistle.

For other types of weeds, you will need to use a specific type of herbicide of the weed you are wanting to remove. For more information on what herbicide you should use to target a specific weed, check out our other blogs here.

When to apply

When using pre-emergent herbicides, it is best to time your application just before the seeds start to germinate. To stop seasonal winter weeds like Winter Grass it is best to apply a pre-emergent in mid to late Autumn, or when the temperatures start to drop in your location. To stop seasonal summer weeds like Summer Grass and Crabgrass/Crowsfoot apply a pre-emergent in early to mid-spring or when the temperatures are starting to warm up.

When treating weeds that have already started to grow, it is best to treat them as early as possible to help prevent them from spreading throughout the lawn.

Weed n Feed products

When it comes to removing weeds and fertilising, a product that does both sounds perfect, right? However, we recommend using both weeding and feeding products separately to achieve better results. Weed n Feed products contain a small fertiliser and herbicide component. When applied they don’t contain enough of either to benefit the grass. Please have a look here for more information on why we recommend this here.

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Getting to know Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo

Posted on March 24, 2022March 14, 2023 by Sarah

Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo lawns have played an important role in over 1,000,000 Aussie backyards. The household name has stood the test of time, continuing to be one of the best choices for Australian homes. This grass has thrived in the Australian climate with its drought tolerance, low maintenance, soft touch, and high wear.

But where did Sir Walter DNA Certified come from? Let’s find out…

The Sir Walter Story

Brent Redman is a second-generation turf farmer from here in the Hunter Valley, NSW, and is the owner of Buchanan Turf Supplies. Brent began turf cutting in the late 70’s. By the mid-80’s he had purchased 20 acres here in the rich river flats of Maitland.

At the time buffalo was just buffalo and Brent ended up trialling 5 different varieties within a 2-acre plot.

Many turf farmers were having struggles with their buffalo, but Brent realised he was not facing these same troubles with one of the buffalo varieties he had growing on his farm and offered some samples to trial for their farms.

As this buffalo continued to grow on Brent’s farm, a small area was found to be growing which was even better, maintaining a greener winter colour, a healthier root system and it was taking over the existing buffalo.

Brent noticed the potential of this new variety and began propagating the grass to protect the purity and integrity of the variety. A variety which would soon become known as Sir Walter.

Where did the Sir Walter name come from?

This grass was named to reflect the qualities that the grass possesses. Initially the acronym ‘WALT’ was created, standing for ‘Winter Active, Low Thatch’.

It was also decided to add a reference to the significant environmental benefits of the grass, with the addition of the ER for ‘Environmentally Responsible’.

A grass this good needed to be anointed, with a symbolic ‘knighting’ and the Sir prefix added to honour the exceptional qualities of the grass.

S I R
W inter
A ctive
L ow
T hatch
E nvironmentally
R esponsible

The rest is history as they say, with it being expanded and produced right across Australia. Sir Walter today is an ‘Iconically Aussie’ brand and is undoubtedly the most successful commercial turf variety in Australian history.

As a result of this success deception and substitution by competitors has occurred. Many varieties over the years have claimed to be ‘just like’, ‘same as’ or ‘bred from’.

How do I know the Sir Walter I am buying is genuine?

Sir Walter supplied by accredited and licensed suppliers is now known as Sir Walter DNA Certified. This extension of the name was developed to provide the assurance to consumers that the Sir Walter they are buying is DNA tested.

This turf matches the original breeder Sir Walter plant material bred at Brent Redmans farm developed over 20 years ago. Only Lawn Solutions Australia turf producers can provide this ‘Original Breeder’ guarantee.

If you want genuine Sir Walter, validated by DNA testing, look for Sir Walter DNA Certified from accredited suppliers with the Original Breeder Guarantee from Mr Redman.

To find contact details for your local Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo grass supplier, click here.

If you would like some more information relating to any specific products that we supply, please feel free to get in touch with us here at Lawn Solutions Australia.

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Pre-Emergents | Winter Grass

Posted on March 24, 2022May 7, 2024 by Sarah

Winter Grass is one of the more frustrating weeds to remove. As winter grass grows it produces triangular shaped seed heads. These seeds make the weed easier to identify but are a sign that it has already started spreading for next season. In this blog, we look at what winter grass is and how you can stop it from spreading throughout your lawn.

Winter Grass

Winter Grass, botanically known as Poa Annua is a low growing weed that has soft, drooping green leaves, and grows in tufts with white seeds. This weed will start to appear when the average soil temperature drops to 16 – 17 degrees. For most areas, this is around mid to late Autumn or when you start to notice the cooler temperatures. When the soil temperatures drop below this, the winter grass seeds that are in the soil will start to germinate and grow.

How Does Winter Grass Spread?

As Winter grass continues to grow, it will produce triangular seeds heads. These seeds are then dropped into the lawn, or spread by wind, birds, underfoot… and will grow a new winter grass weed/plant.

Prevention

Pre-emergent herbicides like Oxafert and Oxafert Plus target seasonal weed seeds that are already in the soil, stopping them from germinating, before the weed starts to appear! Pre-emergents are best applied in mid to late Autumn, or when the temperatures start to drop in your location. This is when the seasonal winter weed seeds that are already in the soil will start to germinate.

You can also apply a pre-emergent in early to mid Spring, or when the temperatures are starting to rise to help stop seasonal summer weeds, like Summer Grass and Crabgrass/Crowsfoot.

How Pre-Emergents Work

Pre-emergents work by forming a barrier at the soil level, affecting the germination of any new seedlings. This prevents any new weeds from growing and spreading throughout your lawn for up to 12 weeks.

It is important to note, pre-emergents will only stop weeds during germination and won’t stop any existing weeds that are already in the lawn. If you are wanting to target weeds that are already growing in your lawn it is best to use a post emergent herbicide for control.

How to Apply Oxafert

When applying Oxafert and Oxafert Plus, spread out the granules evenly by using a sweeping hand motion or apply with a fertiliser spreader for even coverage. Oxafert and Oxapro are best applied to dry foliage and watered in immediately after application.

Winter Grass in Your Lawn Already?

If Winter Grass has already infiltrated your lawn, it is best to use a selective post-emergent herbicide. Amgrow Winter Grass Killer is a selective herbicide safe to use on most varieties including Blue Couch, Common Couch, Bent, Buffalo (including Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo) and Brown top lawns. This is not safe to use on Kikuyu or Fescue lawns. Another post-emergent herbicide that is safe to use on Kikuyu lawns is Munns Winter Grass Killer.

Independent Research Sees TifTuf Top The Class!

Posted on March 24, 2022October 25, 2022 by Nathan Edwards

TIFTUF HYBRID BERMUDA

TifTuf is the Best Couch Grass in Australia proven by extensive independent turf trials.

STRI recently conducted a trial evaluating the “Performance of bermuda (couch) grass cultivars under different shade, irrigation and wear treatments”.

The Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) conducts world leading testing and research for developing innovative techniques and products to improve turfgrass and sports surfaces.

TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda was a clear stand out performer in this trial outperforming all other available couch grasses. TifTuf is the best couch grass available in Australia.

Download Full Trial Report Now

TURF QUALITY

Turf quality of different cultivars averaged over the effects of shade, irrigation, and wear

GROUND COVER

Ground cover of different cultivars averaged over the effects of shade, irrigation, and wear.

DROUGHT

Drought stress of different cultivars averaged over the effects of shade, irrigation, and wear.

TURF COLOUR

Turf colour of different cultivars under 60% shade averaged over the effects of irrigation and wear.

DROUGHT STRESS WITH FULL SUN

Drought stress of different cultivars under full sun condition averaged over the effects of irrigation and wear.

DROUGHT STRESS WITH DEFICIT IRRIGATION

Drought stress of different cultivars under deficit irrigation averaged over the effects of shade and wear.

DROUGHT STRESS WITHOUT WEAR

Drought stress of different cultivars without wear averaged over the effects of shade and irrigation.

DROUGHT STRESS WITH WEAR

Drought stress of different cultivars with wear averaged over the effects of shade and irrigation.

WHICH GRASSES DID BETTER?

TifTuf had superior turf cover (thickness and growth) over the duration of the trial compared to all other grasses trialled. TifTuf also scored the highest NDVI which is a measure of appearance using a specialised scanning device.

There are new couch grasses like Tahoma 31 that have entered the Australian market in recent years. But new grasses do not mean better. TifTuf also outperformed Tahoma 31 in the extensive trials conducted throughout the US National Turf Evaluation program. TifTuf is a better turf grass than Tahoma 31, in fact it outperformed all of the bermuda (couch) grasses included in these trials also.

WEAR RECOVERY & DROUGHT PERIOD

Summary of cultivar performance averaged over trial period. Turf cover refers to the cultivars thickness of growth and percentage of grass coverage. NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index) summarises appearance of green cover within each plot.

If you are looking for the best couch grass for your new lawn, the best option available to you is TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda. Available exclusively through Lawn Solutions Australia Members.

Get a quote for your new TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda lawn today

Helping your lawn recover after flooding

Posted on March 9, 2022April 11, 2022 by Sarah

The recent rains experienced in many areas of the country have caused an extensive amount of damage to homes, businesses and to our outside living spaces.

The most important thing is the health of your families and supporting our communities, so stay safe and we wish everyone the best in the weeks ahead.

The biggest challenges faced during these times for lawns is the combination of water logging for extended periods, but in addition to this, once the water levels drop the soil and sediment left behind can smother lawns and are a significant barrier for recovery.

What can you do?

Firstly, make sure your lawn is safe. If rain is still coming down excessively and flowing water is still present, please wait. Make sure all hazards have been identified and addressed so you do not put yourself in harms way.

Facilitate water absorption and the draining away of excess water as best you can, as soon as possible and when safe to do so.

The best thing is for the rain to stop and for the lawn’s moisture level to return to a manageable level. Sunshine is the biggest influence on this, but you can aerate with a garden fork after a few days, divert water away from the lawn where possible and remove all debris that you can that could restrict direct sunlight to the grass.

Aeration is of particular importance for alleviating the moisture and allowing oxygen down into the waterlogged roots of the lawn. You can read more information about aeration here.

We have seen in some lawns a lot of mud and river silt left behind smothering grass once waters have receded. Remove what you can by hand and make sure you are wearing gloves. Although more water sounds counterintuitive, initially it can be a good thing to try and use a hose with high pressure to blast as much of this into or off the lawn, so the grass blades are unobstructed.

Another tip for removing any mud/silt/debris easily is using an old rotary mower with a catcher if you have one, as these are great at picking up debris on a lawn.

If moss or algae are present this too will need addressing, you can find more information on treating moss in our blog here.

Initially we would advise not to use any fertilisers, topdressing, or other amendments until you are certain the worst of the rain has passed, the lawn is drying out and you are seeing signs of growth. You don’t want to run the risk of wasting money on product that’s going to get washed away or could do more harm than good if likely to stress an already unhealthy lawn. You can however, hand weed, or spot treat any weeds that have popped up, as it is likely weeds will have infiltrated and it’s going to be important to address this so that they don’t get out of control.

When there is excessive moisture combined with humidity, it is common for turf disease to develop. Once the conditions that are causing the disease to develop are gone, your lawn in many cases should recover on its own. Aeration as mentioned above will significantly help with this, but if disease symptoms persist, you may need to look at doing a fungicide application to help improve turf grass health moving forwards.

If you notice the lawn is showing signs of being hydrophobic where the water is being repelled by the soil and pooling rather than absorbing quickly, then a wetting agent application will help with this. A product like Wettasoil or Lawn Soaker is ideal.

As soon as it is dry enough to do so without making much of a mess, mow the lawn at your normal mowing height. If the lawn has been left for an extended period and has some length to it, a reset may be required to bring the stem of the grass down to a lower height. This will involve taking the mower down a notch or two lower than normal (lightly scalping) before bringing the mower back up to the normal height. Getting back into regular mowing as soon as possible will be a big part in promoting healthy lateral growth for recovery. Dethatching or scarifying to remove any loose thatch or debris within the profile that has developed before or during the flooding is also going to aid significantly in recovery.

Once the lawn is showing significant signs of recovery, you can fertilise the lawn and target any weeds that have washed in more aggressively. It can be a really good time to also apply a pre-emergent herbicide like Oxa-Pro (20kg) that can help to prevent the emergence of some of the weed seeds that have likely been washed in.

We hope this information is helpful. There are no easy solutions unfortunately, but if you address the things mentioned above it will go a long way to speeding up the recovery process.