May 2023

Why a Thicker Lawn is Better at Blocking Out Weeds

Posted on May 30, 2023November 14, 2024 by Sarah

Is your lawn looking a bit sparse and you are constantly facing an uphill battle of weeds in your lawn? In this blog, we look at how you can achieve a thicker lawn that can naturally block out weeds from growing.

Skip to: mowing for a thicker lawn, fertilising for a thicker lawn, increasing sunlight for a thicker lawn, aerating for a thicker lawn

Why can a thicker lawn block out weeds?

A thicker lawn is better able to block out weeds as there is less space in the profile for the weed to grow. When your lawn is thick and healthy, there is also an increased competition for resources, including soil, nutrients, and sunlight. Without the weed having access to these resources, it becomes challenging for weeds to grow.

How can I help thicken up my lawn?

Now that we know thicker lawns are better at stopping weeds let’s look at how you can thicken your lawn.

How can mowing make my lawn thicker?

Mowing is an important factor to help keep your lawn thick. When incorrect mowing techniques are used your lawn will be more stressed and will become thin and sparce. So how should I be mowing my lawn?

Mowing regularly will help promote lateral growth. It is this lateral growth that helps your lawn become thicker. Mowing regularly at the same height will allow for consistent nutrients within the grass, keeping it healthy. We recommend mowing regularly enough so that only removing one-third of the leaf with each mow. When a lawn isn’t mown regularly, it causes the grass to go under stress as lots of the leaf blade is removed. This can cause your lawn to thin out, making it more susceptible to weeds.

Mowing your lawn in different directions will also help keep your lawn thick. If you always mow your lawn in the same direction, the grass tends to stay pointed in that direction. By mowing in different directions, you will help the leaf grow straight up, leaving more room for the blades to grow in next to it.

Will fertilising my lawn help it grow thicker?

Applying fertiliser will help give your lawn a boost in growth. By providing the lawn with the nutrients it needs, you will help with the overall health of the lawn. When it comes to using fertiliser, it is best to use a well-rounded fertiliser that contains all the nutrients your lawn needs. Something like our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser or Exceed Liquid Fertiliser is ideal to help thicken your lawn to block out weeds.

Increasing sunlight to shaded areas

Is your lawn struggling to thicken up in highly shaded areas? Turf is like any other plant; it needs sunlight to photosynthesise and grow. Shade-tolerant turf types like buffalo, usually need a minimum of 3-4 hours of direct light. Other turf types like couch and kikuyu will usually require more sunlight, usually 5-6 hours minimum to thrive. If your lawn is struggling due to insufficient light, we recommend improving light to the area where possible by pruning back some of the surrounding trees and shrubs. Check out our blog for more information here.

Will aerating help thicken my lawn?

When soil is compacted and hard, it can be difficult for air, nutrients, and water to reach down to your lawn’s roots. By aerating your soil and decompacting the soil base, your lawn will be able to grow its roots deep into the soil to produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn. Aeration is also advantageous as it can help prevent many compaction-related problems including drainage issues, bare patches, fungal disease, dryness and more.

So, how do you aerate your lawn? You can aerate manually using a sturdy garden fork if you have a small area. Simply insert the fork into the lawn and wriggle it back and forth to fracture the soil profile. If you have a larger area, consider using a spiked roller or hiring out a motorised lawn aerator. For more information on aerating your lawn, check out our blog here.

We hope this blog has shared some insights on how you can thicken up your lawn to better block out weeds. For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out our other lawn care blogs here.

How to Apply ColourGuard Plus

Posted on May 30, 2023November 14, 2024 by Sarah

ColourGuard Plus is a fantastic lawn pigment that can instantly improve your lawn’s colour. ColourGuard is especially great to use in winter when lawns can naturally lose some colour. In this blog, we go into detail of how to apply both the ready-to-use and concentrate ColourGuard Plus.

Skip to: How to apply Colourguard Plus hose on?, How to apply ColourGuard Plus concentrate?, Common questions on applying ColourGuard Plus

Watch Application Video

What sizes does ColourGuard Plus come in?

ColourGuard Plus comes in a variety of sizes to suit both home and commercial applications.

ColourGuard Plus 2L Hose-on. Covers 150m²
ColourGuard Plus 100ml Concentrate. Covers up to 200m²
ColourGuard Plus 2.5L Concentrate. Covers up to 6,250m²

Shop Online Now

How to apply ColourGuard Plus hose on?

1.Shake bottle well

2. Remove cap and screw on hose on attachment

3. Attach hose to connector

4. Turn on hose

5. Remove green tab

6. Pull black tab up to allow product to spray

7. Once finished, push black tab back down to stop water flow and plug in green tab

8. Turn off hose

How to apply ColourGuard Plus concentrate?

Watch Application Video

1. Shake bottle well

2. Measure out how many m2 you are wanting to cover

3. Use the application rate table to determine your application rate

3. Measure how much ColourGuard Plus will be needed

4.Fill your tank with water first, then add the recommended amount of pigment

5. Give your tank a quick mix to ensure the concentrate has diluted throughout the tank

6. Spray your mix to the area

7. Once finished, give your sprayer and nozzle a rinse with clean water

If you want to increase the intensity of the pigment, you can add more ColourGuard Plus to your sprayer.

Colour Guard Plus Product Brochure

Common questions about applying ColourGuard Plus

Is ColourGuard Plus safe to use on all lawn types? Yes, ColourGuard is safe to use on all lawn types!
Is ColourGuard Plus safe to use around pets? Yes, it is safe to use around pets. However, we recommend keeping pets off the lawn for a few hours to ensure the pigment has properly dried and absorbed into the leaf. After the pigment has been absorbed, we also recommend watering the lawn to wash off any excess product the grass hasn’t absorbed.
Can ColourGuard Plus be used year-round? Yes, it can be applied at any time throughout the year.
How long will the pigment last on the lawn for? Once applied, the pigment is locked into the leaf. Therefore, the pigment will be removed with the leaf when the lawn is mown.
What can I do if I apply the ColourGuard to another surface? If you apply the pigment to another surface, it is best to wash it off immediately with water to avoid staining.
Will ColourGuard Plus work on dead grass? As this product needs to be absorbed into the leaf of the grass, it will work best on a lawn that is healthy. If applied to a dead lawn, the grass won’t be able to absorb the pigment. It may still give it a slight green up; however, it won’t work as effectively when applied to healthy grass.

PRECAUTIONS

• Do not apply to wet or dew affected grass

• Avoid footpaths, driveways and other hard surfaces

• Allow up to 24 hours before desired result

• Allow adequate time for lawn to dry before walking on or applying water

• It’s advisable to water well 2 to 3 days after application to wash off any excess.

IMPORTANT CLEANING INFORMATION

For common hard surfaces like concrete, we recommend using a two to one mixture of white vinegar and bi-carb soda and scrubbing with a scrubbing brush. Leave this for 5 minutes or so and then remove with a clean cloth or hose it off.
For tiles specifically, but also sealed concrete, one of the most effective methods is to scrub with lemon juice concentrate, using the same method.
If the stain is on a porous hard surface or is being particularly stubborn you can use a dedicated concrete cleaner – If doing so, be sure to follow label rates and instructions to avoid damaging grout or concrete when using these products.

Due to the porous nature of some hard surfaces, some stains may not be removable, but should fade with time.

Unsealed Concrete or porous surfaces – Concrete Cleaner

Tiles or Sealed Concrete – Lemon juice, Vinegar & Bi-Carb Soda

SAFETY:

Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes and skin. If contact occurs, flush with water and consult a doctor. May be harmful if swallowed. If accidental ingestion occurs consult a doctor.

See Material Safety Data Sheet below and additional information at lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au or please call 1300 883 711. Lawn Solutions Australia is not responsible for any misuse of this product.

Product Brochure PDF

Product Label Safety Data Sheet

If you would like to know more information on applying ColourGuard Plus or any of our other lawn care products, please reach out.

Should I Be Concerned About Dew and Frost?

Posted on May 30, 2023November 14, 2024 by Sarah

Dew and frost are natural phenomena that occur on the surface of the earth. As a lawn owner, you may wonder what the effects of dew and frost on your lawn are and if you should be concerned. In this blog, we will explore the causes of dew and frost and their impact on your lawn.

Skip to: Does dew affect my lawn?, Does frost affect my lawn?

What is dew and frost?

Dew and frost on a lawn will form like condensation on a cup when cold water is poured in. Dew and frost can form on lawns as the temperatures drop overnight and the temperature of the grass cools down. When the grass becomes cool enough, the once warm air that surrounds the grass can cool also. When this happens, the water vapour in the air around the grass can no longer hold as much water, causing tiny water droplets to form on the grass. This is known as dew.

If the temperatures are cool enough (below freezing, 0 degrees Celsius), the water may turn into a solid (ice) and cause frost on the lawn.

FACT – Did you know that humid areas are more likely to experience dew? This is due to the air holding more moisture.

Does dew affect my lawn?

Now you might be asking yourself, does dew affect my lawn? No, dew won’t affect your lawn, and it will simply dry once the sun comes back up.

However, if your lawn has dew, we recommend waiting until it has dried to mow. While your lawn is wet with dew, the water droplets can cause the leaf blade to bend. If the lawn is mown when the leaf is bent, the mower can miss the leaf. Once the lawn dries, the leaf will stand back tall, resulting in an uneven look.

FACT – Did you know areas that need to be mown in the early morning like golf courses, will often brush off the dew before mowing?

Will frost affect my lawn?

Like dew, frost will dry with the morning sun. On warm-season grasses like buffalo, couch, zoysia and kikuyu, frost can cause discolouration and damage to the leaf blade of the grass.

Here are a few tips to help minimise the effect of frost on your lawn:

Keep off the lawn whenever there is frost on it. This includes mowing. By walking across it, you are causing the blades to break and cause more damage.
A light watering in the morning before the sun rises can help the frost on the lawn melt. By watering the lawn, the frost will melt quicker and more evenly. A very quick water of 30 seconds to a minute will do the job.

The health of your lawn is one of the most important factors in ensuring your turf can tolerate frosts. Using a fertiliser with increased iron before winter will help strengthen your lawn for the frosty months ahead.

If your lawn has become affected by frosts and you want to improve the colour of your lawn, why not use a lawn pigment like ColourGuard Plus to restore your lawns colour instantly!

For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out our lawn care page here.

The Top 10 Lawn Care Mistakes to Avoid

Posted on May 30, 2023November 14, 2024 by Sarah

When it comes to lawn care, there are some activities that your turf will praise you for, but others that should be avoided. In this blog, we look at what lawn care mistakes to avoid that can cause more damage than good.

Skip to:Infrequent mowing, Compacted soil base, Over fertilising your lawn, Letting weeds invade your lawn, Watering incorrectly, Incorrect application of lawn care products, Not enough sunlight, Poor drainage, Blunt mowing blades, Soil pH is too acidic or alkaline?

1. Infrequent Mowing

One common lawn care mistake is not mowing your lawn frequently enough. Not mowing your lawn frequently can result in having an overgrown lawn and can cause extra stress to your grass. This stress can make your lawn thin and sparse, especially after mowing.

So how should I mow my lawn? We recommend using the one-third rule when mowing. This rule looks at mowing your lawn regularly enough so that only one-third of the leaf is removed with each pass. During the cooler months, the lawn will be growing at a slower rate. This means you won’t need to mow as frequently. However, during the warmer months, you will need to mow more frequently to keep up with accelerated growth.

2. Compacted Soil Base

When a lawns soil base is compacted, it can be more difficult for water, nutrients, and air to travel down to your lawn’s roots. It also makes it more difficult for your lawn to establish a good root system. Some issues that can arise from a compacted soil base include drainage issues, bare patches, weeds, dry patch, and fungal diseases, to name a few.

What can a compacted soil base be caused from? Compaction mainly occurs when there is heavy traffic on your lawn and a lack of water.

So, what should you do if your lawn has a compacted soil base? We recommend giving your lawn an aerate with a garden fork or use a tyne aerator to help alleviate compaction. For more information on how to aerate your lawn, check out our blog here.

3. Over-fertilising Your Lawn

Applying fertilisers to your lawn is a good thing and can help improve the health of your lawn. But too much of a good thing can cause harm to your lawn. Over-fertilising your lawn will cause sudden plant growth. The problem with this is that the roots won’t experience the same amount of rapid growth and will then be unable to supply the water and nutrients your grass needs. In addition, as fertiliser is primarily made up of mineral salts, excessive fertilising will cause salts to build up in the soil, making it difficult for water to be absorbed, drying out your grass, causing discolouration and possibly even plant death if bad enough.

When applying fertilisers to your lawn, it is best always to follow the correct application rate and instructions and ensure you water correctly after application.

4. Letting Weeds Invade Your Lawn

Having weeds grow your lawn is expected from time to time. But if weeds are left untreated, they will continue to grow and spread throughout your lawn. Therefore, treating weeds as they appear to prevent the spread is best.

If you are unsure of what type of weed you have growing or are unsure how to treat the weed you have growing, check out our blog here.

5. Watering Your Lawn Incorrectly

When it comes to watering your lawn, there are a few golden rules to follow:

Water your lawn for longer, less frequently.

This will help encourage your lawn to grow its roots deep down into the soil profile, helping improve the drought tolerance of your lawn.

Water in the morning before the heat of the day.

It is best to avoid watering in the late afternoon and evening to help stop your lawn from sitting damp overnight. Watering at this time can lead to fungal issues as the lawn will sit damp for a long period of time. Watering in the morning can help prevent these issues from arising.

6. Incorrect Application of Lawn Care Products

One common lawn care mistake is incorrectly applying lawn care products. When using lawn care products, it is vital to ensure you read and follow application instructions and rates. If these are not followed, the product may be ineffective with what you want to achieve. It can cause other issues, including burning and in extreme cases, killing your lawn. If you are unsure of how to apply a lawn care product, it is always best to check with the product manufacturer before application.

7. Not Enough Sunlight

Just like all plants, grass too needs sunlight. Sunlight allows grass to produce the food it needs to survive. Glucose, otherwise known as sugar, is produced by the grass and is used as food to help your lawn grow. Without sunlight, your lawn will not be able to produce glucose, causing the grass to thin out and die.

While all turf varieties need sunlight to thrive, some are more shade tolerant than others. This means some varieties can better absorb sunlight than others. Generally, the wider the leaf blade on the grass, the more shade tolerant a turf variety will be. If you are unsure of what turf type is best for your area, it is best to have a chat with your local turf supplier.

8. Poor Drainage

A lawn with poor drainage can develop many problems. These include fungal, disease, weed infestation and even lead to your grass dying. So, correcting any issues with your lawn’s drainage will help prevent issues from arising next time you get a large downfall of rain.

So how can you combat drainage issues on your lawn? Check out our blog for more information here.

9. Blunt Mowing Blades

Another common lawn care mistake is mowing with blunt mower blades. Did you know your mower blades will go blunt over time, like a razor? Blunt mower blades will rip at your grass. This not only looks bad but isn’t good for the health of your lawn. If you suspect that your mower has blunt blades, or are wanting to do a routine check-up, tilt the mower up with the front wheels pointing upwards and the handle flat to the ground.

When inspecting the mower blades, if they 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 more information on checking and replacing your mowers blades, check out our blog here.

10. Soil pH is Too Acidic or Alkaline?

If your lawn is not performing very well or not responding to fertiliser, this could be due to your soils pH. pH is a measure of acidity and alkalinity. Most lawns like to be in the 6 to 7.5 range for optimum performance. Measuring a soil’s pH is easy to do and doesn’t involve a complicated scientific experiment. All you need is a pH testing kit and they are readily available at hardware stores and nurseries, or online through our online store here.

If your soil’s pH is outside the recommended range of 6-7.5 you may need to adjust this. Check out our blog for more information here.

We hope this blog shares some common lawn care mistakes that should be avoided in your backyard. For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out our other lawn care blogs here.