Guide to Buying a Lawn Mower

Posted on August 26, 2022October 17, 2023 by Sarah

There are so many options to choose from when buying lawn mowers, from self-propelled, battery powered, cylinder mowers, the list goes on! With this, it can be difficult to know what type of features in a lawn mower to look out for. This blog looks at a few different mower types and their features to help you choose the best mower for you.

Mowers for Small Home Lawns

For smaller lawns, you won’t need a very large mowing deck and can get away without using a self-propelled mower.

The Victa 18’ Classic Cut Mulch Or Catch Petrol Lawn Mower has a smaller cutting deck of 18’ and features an easy start setting. This mower mulches the grass clippings, so you can leave the clippings or bag if you prefer. The mower hasa mowing height range of 11-76mm, making it ideal for most lawns. Customers have liked that the mower starts with the first pull and have easy access to oil and fuel.

Features:

Briggs & Stratton 500E series OHV engine 6.8Nm torque
5-year domestic warranty – Lifetime catcher warranty
Mulching Functionality
Rapid start ignition for easy starting
Dual swing back blades cutting system

Battery Powered Lawn Mower

Battery Powered Mowers are a more environmentally friendly mower option compared to the classic petrol-powered mowers. The newer battery-powered mowers on the market are much more powerful than they once were. Most batteries for battery-powered mowers are also compatible with other tools that the specific brand produces. So, if you already have a battery-powered tool from one brand, it is more economical to use a mower for which you already have batteries for.

The Ryobi One+18V 37cm Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower Kit is ideal for small to medium size lawns (37cm mower). It doesn’t have any pull cords and fuel or oil to worry about. One benefit of this mower is that it includes the required Ryobi battery and fast charger. In addition, users have loved the height adjustment range, ability to fold up quickly for storage, and 40L mesh catcher.

Features:

6 Position height adjustment
40L Full mush catcher
Includes battery and fast charger
37cm Mower
Polymer deck

Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Self-propelled mowers are ideal when mowing medium to large lawns or when mowing up a slope. This will help limit fatigue and help you cover your area faster than the standard push mower.

The Honda 21’ Self Propelled Mower is packed with features that provide an excellent mowing experience while providing a great cut. In addition, users have loved that it is easy to start and helps reduce the mowing time.

Features:

Powerful GCV170 4 stroke engine with more power and torque
Self-propelled mower
Heavy-duty 21” durable steel deck
Low noise and vibration
3 in 1 Clip Director for mulching, bagging, or discharging versatility. No attachments required

Automower

The robot lawn mower is one of the newer mowing options to hit the market. Robot mowers work similarly to robot vacuums. These mowers will work within a parameter set by you and will automatically return to the charging station once the lawn is cut or if it has a low battery. There are a few different robot mowers on the market. Some can be controlled by your phone, and some can mow up steep inclines, while delivering excellent cutting results.

The Husqvarna Automower range is a popular robotic mower option. They have a great range available to suit all lawn sizes and areas. You can find more information on the Husqvarna Automower range here.

Small Cylinder Lawn Mowers

If you are following any lawn care pages, you have probably seen the hype around the Ozito Cylinder Mower. The precision-ground steel cylinder blades can provide a clean and precise cut like the bigger and much more pricey cylinder mowers on the market. The Ozito mowers adjustable cutting height is between 14-38mm, cutting a bit higher than larger cylinder lawn mowers.

The Ozito Cylinder Mower is battery powered. You do need to buy the rechargeable battery separately. This battery is also compatible with a range of other Ozito home and garden tools.

Features:

Battery powered cutting action
5 Precision ground cutting blades
45L Grass catcher
4 Cutting heights
Compatible with all Ozito PXC batteries – sold separately

For more lawn care tips and advice, check out our other lawn care blogs here.

What’s the Best Grass Around Pavers and Concrete

Posted on August 25, 2022October 17, 2023 by Sarah

Have you ever wondered what’s the best grass you should use around paving, concrete, and other surfaces? This blog looks at a range of options you can use in your outdoor space.

What’s the Best Grass Around Paving

When using grasses around paving, we recommend choosing a grass type that won’t grow particularly tall and will grow thick around the paving. If you plan to have pavers across your lawn, we recommend going for a slower-growing grass like Sir Grange Zoysia or Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo.

Sir Grange Zoysia

Sir Grange Zoysia is a slower-growing boutique grass that looks great with little maintenance. This grass has a stunning fine leaf, with a beautiful dark green colour, and is slow growing. This grass can even be left unmown! The Sir Grange also doesn’t grow particularly long, so it works well in landscaped areas. This is a slower-growing grass. So, it won’t have as fast repairing nature as other warm-season grasses like couch and buffalo grass. So, it is best used in low traffic areas that will not be used by pets and kids, or where the paving will be walked on, instead of the lawn.

As this grass is a slow grower, it can take some time to establish. Sir Grange Zoysia also requires a bit of extra ground preparation work when installing. For more information on the installation and establishment of Sir Grange Zoysia, click here.

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Moderate Traffic Areas Around Paving

If you are installing grass in an area with pavers or other surfaces like concrete that will receive more foot traffic or will be used by pets and kids, we recommend having a look at Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo.

Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo grass has a higher wear tolerance and a faster repairing nature than Sir Grange Zoysia. Sir Walter has a soft broad leaf, high shade tolerance, and excellent with pets and kids. This grass is low maintenance, and well-suited to the Australian Climate.

High Wear Areas

For choosing a turf type in high-wear areas along a driveway or other surfaces, we recommend looking at TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda or Sir Walter DNA Certified.

For turfed areas along driveways and paths, look at using faster-growing grass. Although you will need to keep in mind the lawn may need its edges done from time to time. Edging along driveways and paths will be much easier to maintain as they are mostly straight. Please check out our blog on edging for more information here.

If you want your lawn to sit flush with a concrete surface, we recommend leaving about 30-40mm below the height of the other surface. This will allow for the thickness of the turf. Best to chat with your local turf supplier for exact measurements of how thick they are cutting their turf.

Ground Cover Alternatives

There is an excellent range of other ground covers that you can use around paving. These ground covers are a good option to look at using in smaller areas, like alongside of the house or on small pathways. When choosing plants, it is best to look for something that is low growing and can spread to prevent weeds from growing. A few options include Baby Tears, Dwarf Mondo Grass, Dichondra Silver Falls, and Blue Star Creeper.

For more information on choosing the best turf variety for your area, it is best to have a chat with your local Lawn Solutions turf supplier.

Getting Your Lawn and Garden House Inspection Ready

Posted on August 25, 2022October 17, 2023 by Sarah

Whether you are having an open house, or a rental inspection, lawns and gardens are often one of the last areas to tidy before inspection day. To help you get organised, we have put together a guide on how to get your lawn and garden inspection ready.

Repairing Patches in Your Lawn

If there are big bare patches, the best way to get grass growing is to lay new turf in the patch. This method is quicker and easier to achieve better results, especially when short on time.

When replacing a patch of grass, you will need to rake out any dead foliage in the bare area and turn over the existing soil. Then if needed, bring in some soil to raise the ground level. Next, cut your turf to size and lay the bare patch on top. Keep the water up to the patch and avoid mowing this area until the new turf has rooted down into the soil base.

To purchase turf, get in contact with your local turf suppliers here.

Mowing Your Lawn

A quick mow will help get the yard looking tidy. If the lawn has been left a bit too long, it is best to mow with the catcher on to prevent lawn clippings from smothering the grass. Mowing with a catcher will also help avoid clippings from going over other surfaces like the driveway.

To help keep the lawn healthy for future house inspections, regular mowing is key. This will help your lawn maintain a consistent growth pattern and help your lawn become thicker and healthier.

ColourGuard Plus

A great way to help give your lawn an instant green up and a boost is to apply ColourGuard Plus. ColourGuard Plus is a natural organic lawn pigment and liquid fertiliser product that helps provide natural green colour to your lawn, especially in a hurry for a house inspection!

Tidy Garden Beds

A quick tidy-up of garden beds and removing any weeds that have grown in will go a long way. The best and fastest way to remove weeds is to pull them out by hand. When removing weeds, it is best to avoid spreading any weed seeds to the rest of the lawn and dispose of them in a green bin or garbage bag.

Edging

Edging your lawn is another great way to make your lawn looks clean and tidy for a house inspection, especially if the lawn is growing over concrete or other surfaces. There are a few different edging tools available, but you should be able to achieve sharp edges by using whipper snipper.

For more information on how to edge your lawn, check out our blog here.

Pruning Back Trees and Shrubs

Prune back any trees or shrubs that are overgrown or blocking paths, entryways, or needs a tidy. This will help make the property look more appealing. For pruning, you can use wither garden sheers, saws, or hedge trimmers, depending on the plant and how much plant material you are removing.

Fertilise Your Lawn

Now is also a great time to fertilise your lawn. This will help the lawn improve its colour and help thicken the profile.

A liquid fertiliser like Exceed can provide fast results as it is absorbed by the leaf of the grass. This provides a much quicker result compared to granular fertilisers as they are absorbed by the grass roots.

If you are wanting to help improve the overall health of the grass, you may want to look at using a slow-release granular fertiliser that will release nutrients to the lawn, giving it a boost over a longer period. For granular fertilisers we recommend using our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser. This contains all the essential nutrients your lawn needs to look and stay healthy.

For more information on how to repair bare patches in your lawn click here.

4 Spring Lawn Care Musts

Posted on August 23, 2022September 25, 2024 by Sarah

Spring is now here! Temperatures are now rising, and our lawns are set to start actively growing again! We recommend doing a few simple spring lawn care activities to ensure your grass will grow at its healthiest throughout the warmer months.

When is the best time to fertilise my lawn?

We know it might be tempting to throw grass fertiliser down as soon as spring starts, but it is best to wait until the temperatures rise and ensure the lawn is actively growing first. If you time your fertiliser application before this, the lawn won’t be growing fast enough to absorb all nutrients provided and won’t allow the fertiliser to work to its full potential.

So, when should you apply fertiliser? Best to wait until you notice your lawn is actively growing. You should be able to detect this when the lawn needs more frequent mows. This can be at different times for different regions of Australia.

For fertilising in spring, we recommend using a granular lawn fertiliser, like our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser. This has a combination of fast and slow-release granules that contain a balanced ratio of nutrients your lawn needs to thrive. This fertiliser is suitable for all lawn types.

Checking your mower blades

Another spring lawn care activity you can do is ensuring your mower blades are nice and sharp. This will help your grass look better after mowing and will help keep your lawn healthier.

We recommend checking your mower blades at the start of every growing season to ensure they are in good shape or need sharpening. To check your mower, tilt your lawn mower up with the front wheels pointing upwards and the handle flat to the ground or bench. This will ensure no oil flows where it shouldn’t.

If the blades have any cracks, bends, extremely thin blades, or even holes in the blades fin – then your blades need to be replaced.

If there is still plenty of meat left on your blades and they are in their correct shape, they may simply need to be sharpened.

For most people, the easiest fix is to have your mower blades looked at by a professional. However, if you are not confident or short on time, your best option is to drop your lawn mower off at your local mower shop and have the experts give the whole unit a once over. It can be a good idea to undertake a mower service every 12 months or so, leaving your mower ready to go when you need it during the warmer months.

Mowing regularly – the 1/3 rule

The one rule relates to the leaf length that you should limit yourself to taking off at each mow. The reasoning behind it is to lessen the grass’ stress during the destructive mowing process. Removing only one-third of the leaf during a mowing event will limit the amount of photosynthesizing material removed and allow the plant to maintain reasonable growth by minimising this stress among others.

Do I need to aerate my lawn?

Aerating your soil is another great spring lawn care activity to do! Aerating your soil will increase the amount of air, water, and nutrients it receives. This strengthens grass roots and helps create a healthier lawn. Aeration decreases thatch and compaction and should be carried out annually in high traffic areas and on hard lawns. Lawns with poorer soil can benefit from aeration too.

To aerate your lawn, drive a garden fork into the soil and give it a wiggle to help decompact the soil base. You can also do this with a core aerator which will remove plugs of soil at the same time. Continue this across the lawn around 8-10 cm apart for best results.

It may be worth hiring a motorised aerator if you have a larger area or your soil is highly compacted.

Check out our other lawn care blogs here for more spring lawn care tips and advice.

Ultimate Guide to Mowing Your Lawn

Posted on August 23, 2022October 17, 2023 by Sarah

As the temperatures are set to rise over the coming weeks, your lawn will start to actively grow. With this, your grass will need more frequent mows to keep up with growth. To help we take a look at a few tips and tricks, this will get the best cut when mowing your lawn.

Lawn Mowing Height

You may have noticed that your mower allows you to adjust and change the height you can mow at. On a typical rotary mower, a lever is located near one of the wheels, allowing you to raise and lower the mowing deck.

As a general rule of thumb, it is best to mow lower during warmer months and higher during cooler months.

Mowing Height for Different Grass Types

Green couch: 5 to 30mm

Buffalo grass (Sir Walter): 30 to 50mm

Kikuyu: 30 to 50mm

Zoysia matrella (Sir Grange): 5 to unmown

Queensland blue couch: 5 to 30mm

Broadleaf carpet grass: 30 to 50mm

Hybrid Bermuda (TifTuf): 5 to 30mm

Fescue: 30 to 50mm

The One Third Rule of Grass

A common question we get is, “how often should I mow my lawn?” The answer to this is dependent on your turf variety and local climate. For example, if you are in a warmer climate like Queensland with a fast-growing grass like couch, you will need to mow more frequently than someone in a cooler climate like Tasmania with a slower-growing grass like buffalo.

To answer the question, mow your lawn frequently enough so that you remove no more than one-third of the leaf with each pass. Cutting this way will limit the amount of stress caused to the plant and help avoid scalping.

Sharpen Your Mower Blades

Ensuring your mower blades are nice and sharp will help your grass look better after a mow and help keep your lawn healthier.

We recommend checking your mower blades at the start of every growing season to ensure they are in good shape or need sharpening.

If the blades have any cracks, bends, extremely thin blades, or even holes in the blades fin, then your blades need to be replaced.

If there is still plenty of meat left on your blades and they are in their correct shape, they may simply need to be sharpened.

For most people, the easiest fix is to have your mower blades looked at by a professional.

Tips for Mowing Your Lawn

Mow when the lawn is dry and try to avoid mowing when the lawn is wet
Mow at the same length and keep it consistent
Switch mowing directions
Mow in the mornings or afternoons. Avoid mowing in the middle of the day
Keep at a consistent pace

Different mower types

There are a few different mower types that are on the market.

A popular option for the home lawn is a rotary mower. These mower types have spinning blades rotating on a vertical axis under a cutting deck. They work best on a medium to high cut and are now available as both petrol and battery powered. Some trusty rotary mower brands to look out for include Honda, Victa, Toro, Bosh, Ryobi, Masport, Ozito, Makita and Husqvarna.

If you want to get a clean low cut, you will want to look at using a cylinder mower. There are a few different choices available. There are cheaper models available like the Ozito Cylinder Mower. Bigger cylinder mowers like Scott Bonnar, Protea, Swardman and Bushranger tend to be priced at the higher end.

Automowers are one of the new types of mowers on the market! These mowers will often require installation but will be able to maintain your lawn without the effort of a traditional mower. One of our favourites is the Husqvarna Automower.

For more mowing tips and lawn care advice, check out our other lawn care blogs here.

Removing & Preventing Lawn Grubs and Weeds | Oxafert & Acelepryn GR

Posted on August 23, 2022February 21, 2024 by Sarah

We love spring here at Lawn Solutions Australia! Spring is when your garden and lawn grow with more exuberance, and the greenery comes to life. But so do many warm-season weeds and some turf-related pests. In this blog, we look at the best way to prevent lawn grubs and weeds from infiltrating your lawn.

Preventing Turf Weeds

You can prevent annual summer and winter grass weeds with a pre-emergent herbicide like 3kg Oxafert and 20kg Oxafert Plus. Pre-emergent herbicides work by targeting seasonal grass weed seedlings during germination, stopping them before they appear on your lawn. As a bonus, both Oxafert and Oxafert Plus contain a fertiliser component that provide nutrients to the lawn and help keep it healthy! Oxafert Plus also contains an additional insecticide component.

When applying Oxafert and Oxafert Plus it is best to time your applications just before the seedlings are set to germinate. To stop seasonal summer weeds like Summer Grass and Crowsfoot it is best to apply in spring before the temperatures rise. For seasonal winter weeds like Winter Grass, best to apply in autumn when the temperatures are getting cooler in your area. The exact time to apply pre-emergents will depend on your local climate and current weather conditions.

Pre-emergent herbicides work by creating a barrier at the soil level. This barrier affects the germination of any new seedlings. Remember, it won’t kill existing weeds; it will prevent germination. So, as the temperatures warm up and the weed seed springs to life, Oxafert kills them before they emerge.

To prevent Summer Grass and Crowsfoot weeds, use 3kg of Oxafert per 100m2. To prevent Winter Grass and Creeping Oxalis weeds use 4kg of Oxafert per 100m2. Spread the granules evenly over dry foliage, and water in after application with at least 10mm of water.

Preventing Lawn Grubs

Grub Guard Ultimate, Acelepryn GR and Acelepryn Liquid provides safe and effective control of a wide range of insects while minimizing environmental impact and non-target organisms like Bees and Earthworms. Acelepryn works by targeting a specific muscle receptor that is common in damaging causing insects. Other non-target organisms like Bees, Earthworms, Birds, Fish, and mammals don’t use the same muscle receptors, making it one of the safest insecticides on the market!

Acelepryn targets pests such as Black Beetle, Stem Weevil, Cut Worm, and Army Worm. The great thing about Acelepryn GR compared to other pesticides is that it’s not only curative but also preventative.

Acelepryn is best applied at six monthly intervals to provide year-round protection. We recommend using Acelepryn in September/October and again in March/April as a general guide. These two applications will prevent lawn grubs throughout the entire year.

Grub Guard Ultimate

For treating Lawn Curl Grub, Argentine Stem Weevil larvae and Billbug larvae, spread the granules evenly 750g – 1.5kg per 100m2. We recommend using a calibrated spreader to ensure the granules are spread evenly to the lawn. After the granules have been spread out, lightly water in immediately after application.

For treating Caterpillars including Lawn Armyworm, Black Cutworm, and Sod Webworm, spread the granules evenly 750g per 100m2.We recommend using a calibrated spreader to ensure the granules are spread evenly to the lawn. After application, delay mowing and watering for 24 hours. After 24 hours have passed, water the granules in.

Acelepryn GR Granules

For treating beetle larvae including African black beetle, Argentine Scarab, Argentine Stem Weevil larvae and Billbug Larvae, spread the granules evenly, 1-2kg per 100m2. We recommend using a calibrated spreader to ensure the granules are spread evenly to the lawn. You can also spread the granules by hand. After the granules have been spread out, give the granules a water in with a minimum of 3mm irrigation.

For Caterpillars including Cutworm, Armyworm, and Sod Worm, spread the granules evenly, 1kg per 100m2. Again, we recommend using a calibrated spreader for an even application. You can also spread the granules by hand. After application, delay mowing and watering for 24 hours. After 24 hours have passed, water the granules in.

Acelepryn Liquid

For treating Lawn Curl Grub (Beetle larvae including: African Black Beetle larvae Argentinian Scarab larvae), Argentine Stem Weevil larvae and Billbug larvae, you can apply through a garden sprayer or watering can. For a garden sprayer use 8 – 15 mL per 5-10 L of water per 100 m2. For a watering can, mix 1.5 mL in 9 L of water and evenly apply to 10 m2. Apply the higher rate for up to 6 months residual protection, cases of high pest pressure, and late in season when mature grubs are present. Lightly water in immediately after application when applying by garden sprayer.

For treating Caterpillars including Lawn Armyworm, Black Cutworm, and Sod Webworm, apply through a garden sprayer. Use 8 mL per 5-10 L of water per 100 m2. To ensure optimum control, delay watering or mowing for 24 hours after application.

With these tips you will be able to prevent lawn grubs and weeds throughout your lawn.

For more lawn care tips and advice, check out our other lawn care blogs here.

100 Million Metres of Sir Walter

Posted on August 11, 2022May 27, 2024 by Nathan Edwards

100 Million Metres of Sir Walter Sold

Sir Walter Buffalo today is an iconic ‘Aussie’ brand and is undoubtedly the most successful turf variety in Australian history.

Did you know Sir Walter has reached a sales milestone in the Australian turf industry? Sir Walter has passed the 100 million metres sold mark, an achievement no other buffalo grass or grass has ever achieved! This makes it the greatest selling grass of all time.

To put this into perspective, if you laid this much Sir Walter in a line it would be able to cover the entire circumference of the moon almost 10 times over. Or in terms of Australia, it would be like driving all the way around Australia’s coastline almost 4 times. It’s a truly extraordinary amount of grass.

2024 UPDATE!

Sir Walter DNA Certified has now sold over 120 Million Metres! That’s the equivalent of 1,250,000 Aussie homes!

The Birth of Sir Walter

Brent Redman discovered the great “Sir Walter” in the NSW Hunter Valley in 1996. Brent grew buffalo grasses on his farm, but there were always particular issues that prevented them from achieving high quality. This was until Brent noticed a small area on his farm where an off type was growing. This off type maintained a greener winter colour, had a healthier root system and it was taking over the existing buffalo. Brent realised the potential of this new variety and began propagating the grass to protect the purity and integrity of the variety. From these first few square metres, the superstar that would become known as Sir Walter was born.

The rest is history as they say, with Sir Walter being expanded and produced right across Australia through a network of licensed turf suppliers.

With Greatness Comes Great Responsibility

As a result of the success Sir Walter achieved, deception and substitution by competitors has occurred. Many varieties over the years have claimed to be ‘just like’, ‘same as’ or ‘bred from’ Sir Walter. None of which is true, which is why there needed to be a way to ensure the Sir Walter that consumers were buying was genuine.

To remedy this, Sir Walter supplied by accredited and licensed suppliers is now known as Sir Walter DNA Certified. This extension of the Sir Walter name was developed to provide the assurance to consumers that the Sir Walter they are buying is DNA tested and the genuine product. This turf matches the original breeder Sir Walter plant material bred at Brent Redmans farm developed over 20 years ago.

Lawn Solutions Australia

Sir Walter DNA Certified is now part of a greater stable of turf varieties supplied nationally through the Lawn Solutions Australia (LSA) network. Members of LSA are the only turf suppliers who can provide Sir Walter DNA Certified with 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.

Sir Walter continues to lead the turf world here in Australia and even after 25 years, is still considered the benchmark for Aussie lawns.

Here’s to another 100 million metres of the great Sir Walter!

The Best Soil & Watering Techniques for Establishing New Turf

Posted on August 8, 2022February 8, 2024 by Nathan Edwards

LSA Turf Establishment Trial

Finding the best soil and irrigation techniques for establishing new turf

Lawn Solutions Australia (LSA) commissioned soil scientist Dr Mick Battam to conduct a trial to determine the best method of establishing new turf. The trial was performed near Richmond NSW, with the turf installed in October 2021.

Trial Layout

The trial used a latin square experimental layout to examine the impact of soil and syringe watering on the rate of turf establishment of Sir Grange (zoysia), Sir Walter DNA Certified (soft leaf buffalo) and TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda (couch). The trial consisted of 72 plots which included 3 replicates for each treatment.

What is the fastest way to establish turf?

Turf was established consistently quicker when installed on a base of 150mm or more with some organics incorporated into an 80/20 soil mix. Sir Grange was significantly quicker to establish with organics incorporated, whilst TifTuf was slightly quicker and Sir Walter DNA Certified wasn’t affected. Organics refers to recycled soil, compost or cow and other manures. These products are readily available at all soil yards. This particular soil type was 80% sandy loam (80/20) and 20% organics.

What was the impact of syringe watering?

Due to its shallow rootzone, new turf is very susceptible to heat injury. Syringe watering involves applying 3-minute watering events at about 1pm and 4pm on hot days to cool the turf so it is less likely to get scorched.

The LSA trial found syringe watering resulted in the turf roots growing more rapidly in the first 4 days after installing the turf. It is recommended on hot days for new turf.

What was the impact of not mowing?

The cuts on the leaves take several hours to seal after mowing. Until this occurs, the turf is susceptible to drying out. The LSA trial found that not mowing Sir Grange had minimal impact on the rate of turf establishment. However, this may have only occurred because the trial took place in a wet summer. To be safe, it is recommended that turf (especially Sir Grange) is not mown prior to hot weather. If this cannot be avoided, then water the turf after mowing.

Other benefits of using Soil Type 1

Soil at least 150mm deep also provides a means for minimising the impact of drought. This occurs because soil that is at least 150mm deep typically holds 3 to 5 times the amount of water held in sands.

So what soil should I use?

If you are installing Sir Grange, it is best to incorporate organics into your sandy profile and ensure you are syringe watering as outlined. 150mm depth of soil should be the minimum. If you have an existing Sir Grange lawn on straight sand, you can incorporate organics as a top dressing. If you are installing TifTuf or Sir Walter DNA Certified, standard 80/20 sandy loam is suitable but for best results incorporating some organics is recommended. Again, a minimum of 150mm soil depth is recommended. Syringe watering is always recommended on hot days.

Where can suitable soil be purchased?

Your local Lawn Solutions Member will be able to direct you to a local soil supplier that has turf underlay mixes which will be perfect for under your new lawn. To get in touch, please give us a call on 1300 883 711 or email [email protected]

PDF of this trial report for download here – Soil Establishment Trial by Dr Mick Battam

Turf Installation & Initial Care – Best Practice Guidelines

We’re Turfing The Block with TifTuf!

Posted on August 5, 2022August 8, 2022 by Nathan Edwards

Lawn Solutions Australia and Local LSA Member Lilydale Instant Lawn are Turfing The Block!

The Block is set for a “tree change” featuring TifTuf!

We’re excited to announce Lawn Solutions Australia has teamed up with the Block and will be the exclusive turf supplier with thanks to Lilydale Instant Lawn for this season!

The reality TV show The Block, returns to Channel 9 and 9Now, swapping the city for the green grass of the countryside. The Block heads to Gisborne South in Victoria’s beautiful Macedon Ranges, where five couples will each build a 500-square-metre house, tennis courts, wineries, and even a lake with TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda being the turf of choice!

That’s right TifTuf will be featured on this year’s season of The Block! Beautiful TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda will be supplied by local Lawn Solutions Australia Member Lilydale Instant Lawn.

TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda

TifTuf was hand selected out of almost 30,000 different varieties, showing superior qualities in drought tolerance, shade tolerance, wear tolerance and winter colour. These qualities make it the perfect option for the climate experienced in Gisborne.

Award Winning TifTuf

TifTuf is the only grass to be awarded the Smart Approved WaterMark for water efficiency, it is Australia’s best couch grass (proven through extensive independent trials) and it’s exclusively available from Australia’s best turf suppliers, Lawn Solutions Australia Members. These reasons and more are why TifTuf has been selected as the exclusive turf variety for this season of The Block.

Each team has been given their own house to renovate and landscape. Each home needs to qualify for a 7-star energy rating, incorporating solar panels, sewage recycling, and water tanks. Sustainable and environmentally friendly products have long been a focus of the program. TifTuf perfectly fits the bill for these large lifestyle properties.

TifTuf is also going to be featured front and centre as contestants arrive at Block HQ for judging. Host Scotty Cam is also getting in on the TifTuf action, with his very own involvement. He’ll be renovating the property’s original homestead built in the mid-19th century. The team at Franklin Landscapes has done an incredible job with the landscaping for this part of the project, which provides plenty of lush green TifTuf surrounding the rejuvenated homestead.

We can’t wait to see how this incredible grass is used on the show to create beautiful and environmentally friendly landscaped garden areas.

If you are looking for a new lawn worthy of The Block, you just found it. It’s TifTuf.

Tune into The Block on Channel 9 and 9Now to check it out.

Watch Episode 1

Battle Insecticide and Termiticide

Posted on August 25, 2022March 5, 2024 by Nathan Edwards

Lawn Solutions Battle Insecticide & Termiticide 1L

Are you losing the battle with lawn pests?

Battle Insecticide is an insecticide and termiticide supplied in a liquid concentrate that contains the active ingredient Bifenthrin. It is a powerful knockdown and residual pesticide that works through direct contact with the spray and by residual action as the pest comes into contact with treated surfaces.

Battle Insecticide can be used as a protective treatment when applied at regular intervals or as a knockdown treatment to control existing pests.

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Battle Insecticide Application

Battle Insecticide is required to be diluted in water prior to use, at the specific application rate on the label recommended for the pest being treated.

Application of Battle Insecticide should be made with a sprayer calibrated to deliver a fine and even spray to ensure thorough coverage.

Equipment can include a variety of application techniques, such as power sprayers, hand-held pump sprayers or backpack sprayers, which are operated to produce large droplets to minimise spray drift. Do not apply Battle as a fog or mist.

Best results are obtained when the product is applied before pest populations build up to damaging levels. If there is a high level of pest pressure, there is a higher application rate recommended on the label that you should follow.

Battle Insecticide also contains a surfactant helping the product to adhere on application.

If you notice continued pest activity, follow-up applications may be required. Reapplying is also recommended for some pests like Black Beetle larvae or lawn grubs, for example, to ensure you are targeting them again once they have transitioned to the next stage of their lifecycle.

Safety Directions and Protective Personal Equipment (PPE)

Whenever you are using chemicals such as Battle Insecticide, it is always important that you follow the safety directions provided on the product and wear the recommended protective clothing. So make sure you take some time to read the instructions in full before opening the product for application.

For more information visit the battle information leaflet here

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Battle Insecticide can be used on all grass types including kikuyu, couch, buffalo, zoysia and cool season varieties.