Month: December 2023

Keeping a healthy and lush lawn for the most part can be achieved with a basic, regular lawn care schedule. But if you encounter any issues, it is best to know what they are so you can get a treatment plan to tackle the problem head-on. In this blog, we’ll explore three common lawn problems: brown spots, weeds, and pests, while looking at the best way to resolve any potential issues.

Skip to: How Do I Stop Weeds in My Lawn?, How Do I Stop Lawn Pests?

How can I Stop Brown Patches in My Lawn?

Brown patches can be a common lawn problem for various reasons. So, knowing why they occurred will help you find the best way to get your lawn back on track. Let’s look at a few reasons why brown spots appear:

Brown Spots from Scalping with a Lawn Mower

Scalping occurs when the mower blades cut the grass too short, removing the green leaf and exposing the runner and stem of the grass. This can lead to turf stress and create brown patches. There are two main reasons scalping can occur: the first is from your lawn growing too long in between mows, and the other is from uneven levels in the soil, causing the scalping to happen where the levels are high.

For more information on how to help stop scalping from occurring on your lawn, check out our blog here.

Brown Spots from Disease

Fungal diseases are another common lawn problem that can also be a culprit behind brown spots in lawns. Some tell-tale signs that your lawn has a fungal disease are discolouration, mushrooms, and other fungal growth.

To stop and prevent lawn diseases, ensure proper drainage, and aerate the soil. Avoid overwatering, as excess moisture creates a favourable environment for fungal growth. If the disease does persist, a fungicide may be required.

Brown Spots from Dog Urine Burn 

Another common lawn problem that many dog owners may face is urine burn. The high nitrogen content in urine can burn the grass, leaving behind yellow or brown patches. One common sign that urine burn is causing patches in your lawn is that once the burn has occurred, the brown patch of grass won’t spread.

There are a few different methods you can try to help stop urine burn patches. One solution may work for one dog but not for another, so you may need to try a few different methods to find a solution for your pet. Check out our blog for more information on how to help stop urine burns here.

How Do I Stop Weeds in My Lawn?

For the most part, a healthy and thick lawn should be able to block out most weeds that can infiltrate your lawn. But if any pesky weeds have managed to grow through, let’s look at how to remove a few common weed types and how to remove them.

How to Remove Clover in My Turf

Clover is one of the most common weeds that can be found in lawns. It can be easily identified by its oval-shaped leaves that have white circular markings across all the leaves. We recommend using a broadleaf herbicide like All Purpose Weed Control or Amgrow Bin Die to remove Clover.

How Do I Remove Bindii from My Lawn?

Known for its sharp, painful seed pods, bindii can quickly become the bane of your barefoot existence. Removing Bindii, is the same as Clover, with the use of a broadleaf herbicide like All Purpose Weed Control or Amgrow Bin Die.

How Can I Remove Nutgrass from Growing in My Lawn?

Nutgrass is part of the sedge weed family. It gets its name from its nut like bulbs that can be found on the roots of the plant. It has thin, strappy, light green leaves that grow taller than the rest of your lawn. As nutgrass has its underground bulbs, it is best to avoid pulling it out by hand. For removal, it is best to use a selective herbicide like Sedge Control.

How Do I Remove Summer Grass from My Lawn?

Summer Grass is an annual grassy weed similar in appearance to Paspalum and Crowsfoot. As this weed spreads by its seed, you can prevent it using a pre-emergent herbicide like Oxafert. If it is already growing, it is best to either remove it by hand or use a selective herbicide with DSMA as the active, like David Greys Crab Grass and Clover Killer (not safe on Buffalo or Kikuyu lawns).

If there is another type of weed that has invaded your lawn, but you are not sure what the best way to remove it is, check out our Ultimate Weed Guide here.

How Do I Stop Lawn Pests?

Another common lawn issue you may face is lawn pests. Most insects that are in our lawns won’t damage your turf and are quite beneficial to your lawn and its natural ecosystem. But there are a few that you should keep an eye out for, as some can cause damage.

Lawn Grubs

Lawn Grubs and African Black Beetles can be a common sight in your lawn, and in small numbers, they generally won’t cause too much damage to your lawn, but if there is a large infestation and they are causing damage, an insecticide may be needed.

Armyworm

Another common lawn problem is Armyworm. Armyworms can be identified by their three prominent white or cream stripes running down the back and sides of their bodies, which can be 2mm to 40mm in length. If you do spot one Armyworm in your lawn, it is a common sign that there will be more in the lawn as they move in large numbers. If they are spotted in your lawn, it is best to act fast as they can devastate a lawn within a matter of days.

Armyworm and Lawn Grub Treatment

If you have noticed Armyworm or an infestation of Lawn Grubs in your lawn, we recommend treating your lawn with a 2-punch method.

Firstly, use a fast-acting insecticide like Battle Insecticide to get a quick knockdown of what’s currently crawling in the lawn. You may need a follow-up application after ten days to ensure you are treating the entire lifecycle.

We also recommend looking at using a preventative insecticide like Grub Guard Ultimate to help prevent another attack on your lawn for up to 6 months. When Grub Guard Ultimate is applied at six monthly intervals, it will provide seasonal protection to your lawn.

For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out the Lawn Solutions Australia YouTube channel here.

Is your lawn looking good but hasn’t reached its full potential? Or are you envious of your neighbours’ lawns and want to get yours to the next level? In this blog, we look at how you can take an average lawn and make it the best in the street!

Will Cylinder Mowing Provide a Better Cut?

Cylinder mowing is not essential for a good-looking lawn, but if you want to get a better cut and take your lawn to the next level, cylinder mowing is the way to go! Cylinder mowers can generally provide a better cut as they cut the leaf by a shearing action rather than a tearing action like you will get with a rotary mower. This can help create a neater finish to the grass blade, plus a faster recovery after mowing.

Cylinder mowers usually have an inbuilt roller to help you mow stripes and patterns into your lawn. When mowing in straight lines up and back down your lawn, stripes will start to appear. If you are after some inspiration on mowing stripes and other patterns in your lawn, make sure you check out our blog here.

Cylinder mowers are also ideal to use when you want to achieve a lower cut, like a bowling green or putting surface. When mowing low, you will need to ensure you are mowing more frequently, especially throughout the growing season.

Are Sharp Mower Blades Important When Mowing?

Another great tip to help ensure you are getting the best cut is to ensure you are mowing with sharp mower blades. When mowing with blunt blades, it will further rip at the grass leaf and can leave it bruised, which can take away from the lawn’s appearance.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Lawn Fertiliser Application?

When applying fertilisers to your lawn, it is best to be disciplined in your approach. Regardless of what lawn care product you are using, it is always best to ensure you stick to the label rates stated on the product and apply as per the recommended intervals.

Some new types of grasses, like Sir Grange Zoysia and TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda are low-input grasses. This means they won’t need as many additional nutrients applied to them as other grasses, often requiring less fertiliser and additional nutrients.

When Should I Treat Weeds in My Lawn?

When it comes to lawn weeds, it is best to get on top of them as soon as they appear. This will help stop them from spreading further throughout the lawn and prevent them from becoming a bigger issue. If there are just a few broad-leaf weeds, the best and easiest way to remove them is to simply pull them out by hand. If there are a few broad-leaf weeds coming through, using a broad-leaf herbicide, like our All Purpose Weed Control, will be another option for removal.

However, preventing weeds before they appear in the lawn is a better option…

How Can I Prevent Weeds and Pests from My Lawn?

If you want to take your turf to that next level, preventing potential issues before they occur is key!

To help prevent seasonal weeds like Summer Grass, Crowsfoot, and Creeping Oxalis, we recommend using a pre-emergent herbicide like Oxafert. Oxafert works by stopping weed seedlings during germination before they are visible. Oxafert also has an added fertiliser component, giving it a boost in nutrients at the same time.

If it is lawn pests you want to prevent, we recommend using an Acelepryn-based product like Grub Guard Ultimate. Grub Guard Ultimate provides safe and effective control of damage-causing insects like Black Beetle, Armyworm, Billbug Larvae and Argentine Stem Weevil for up to 6 months. When applied at six monthly intervals, it will provide seasonal protection for your lawn.

For more lawn care tips and advice to help get the best out of your lawn, check out our other lawn care blogs here.

Lawn care doesn’t need to be hard and often a less is more approach will provide you with a fantastic looking lawn! In this blog, we look at a few easy steps that will give you a great lawn that won’t require your whole weekend to achieve.

What is The Best Way to Water My Lawn?

Did you know that lawns don’t need lots and lots of water thrown at them to thrive? In most conditions, natural rainfall will take care of your lawn watering requirements and additional water is only required on an as-needed basis.

Some tell-tale signs that your lawn needs water are if it looks dry and has a curled leaf. If your lawn needs water, less frequent waterings for longer are more effective than watering your lawn more often for shorter periods. When watering, we recommend using a sprinkler that covers your area evenly for around 30 minutes. It is best to stick to morning waterings before the heat of the day and avoid afternoons to help prevent the lawn from sitting damp overnight. Watering this way will help improve the drought tolerance of your lawn, as the roots will grow deeper down into the soil base for water.

How Do I Get the Most Out of My Lawn Fertiliser?

Applying fertilisers to your lawn doesn’t have to be a complex process. If you are after a low-maintenance option that you only need to apply 2-3 times a year, a slow-release granular fertiliser like the Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser is ideal. This will release nutrients to your lawn over a longer period, meaning you won’t need to apply as frequently as liquid fertilisers.

Granular fertilisers are easy to apply. They require you to spread the granules out to the lawn; using a fertiliser will help make this an even simpler task. Then water in. If your area is expecting light rainfall, you can even time your fertiliser application right before rain, so you don’t need to water the granules in.

How to Mow My Lawn Correctly for Less Maintenance

Cutting your grass too short is not a shortcut to less maintenance. In fact, it can lead to increased maintenance from increased weed growth and stress. Maintain a moderate grass height, usually around 1-5 cm long, to promote healthy growth and discourage weed development. Also, avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass height in a single mowing session to prevent stress on the lawn.

Easy Ways to Help Prevent Weeds

Preventing weeds is easier than dealing with a full-blown invasion. Regularly inspect your lawn for signs of weeds and address them promptly. If you do have weeds already in your lawn, hand removal is the quickest and easiest option for removal for most lawn weed types. But if there are too many to remove by hand, it is best to use an herbicide for removal.

One of the easiest ways to help prevent weeds is to use a pre-emergent herbicide like Oxafert. In addition, lawn care practices play a significant role in weed prevention. Healthy lawns will be more resistant to weed infestations.

Choosing The Right Turf for Me

If you have yet to choose a turf type for your area, choosing the turf type for you and your home will help ensure your lawn will thrive with minimal effort. Some key aspects to consider before you install your turf are sunlight, maintenance requirements and whether your lawn will be fit for purpose.

Sir Walter DNA Certified is a great all-rounder! It has a beautiful soft broad leaf that is great with pets and kids, is low maintenance and needs a minimum of 4 hours of direct light per day to thrive.

TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda is another great turf type for Aussie backyards! Its soft fine leaf can deal with lots of wear from pets and kids, has a fast-repairing nature, and superior drought tolerance.

For more advice on choosing the best turf type for your region, your local and knowledgeable Lawn Solutions Australia member will provide you with specialist advice for your region.

Are you looking to install a new lawn but not sure what soil preparation is required or are wanting to improve your existing soil base? In this blog, we look at all there is to know about your lawns soil and how a good soil base can improve your lawn’s performance.

How Soil Can Affect Your Turf?

A healthy soil is key to a healthy lawn! Why? Because this is where the roots of your lawn grow. Ensuring your turf can grow its roots down into the soil, hold nutrients, and hold water (without being waterlogged) will impact the performance of your lawn.

What Soil Type Is Ideal for New Turf?

When preparing your area for new turf, most turf varieties will require an underlay of 80 -100mm of a sandy loam (80% sand 20% loam) or a turf underlay mix. You should be able to source these from your local landscaping yard.

How Do I Fix a Clay Soil

If your soil has a high component of clay, it can make it difficult for water, air and nutrients go into the soil base. This can cause possible drainage issues as water may struggle to drain away, especially if the clay is compacted. If the clay is particularly compacted, it may also hinder your lawns ability to establish its roots deeply into the soil profile.

To help amend a clay soil you can look at applying a clay breaker like gypsum. When applying gypsum, it is best to give the soil a good aerate first, then apply the gypsum. This will help it get further down into the profile. For more information on how to amend a clay soil, check out our blog here.

How to Test Your Soil’s pH

Your soil’s pH is another important factor when looking at soil. The pH of your soil will affect the solubility of minerals and nutrients essential for plant growth. If your soil is outside the ideal range, it can become very difficult or almost impossible to absorb nutrients.

So, what is the ideal pH range for turf? Ideally your soil’s pH should be between 5.5 – 7. Many lawn types, buffalo lawns in particular, have been known to do quite well in more alkaline soils up to a pH of 8. However, the closer to the neutral mark will be more beneficial for your lawn in the long run.

Soil pH tests kits should be readily available at your local garden centre or hardware store, or online through our online lawn store here. When testing your soil, it is best to gather a few samples of soil from across your lawn. Then mix these together for an average reading of the whole lawn, rather than just one area. When collecting your soil samples, it is best to dig around 200 – 150mm.

If you do need to correct your soils pH, please check out our blog here for more information.

How to Help a Compacted Soil

If your soil has become hard and compacted, it can become difficult for water, air, and nutrients to penetrate into the profile. A compacted soil can also make it difficult for our lawn to grow its roots deeply into the soil profile.

To help alleviate compaction, it is best to give the area a good aerate. To aerate you can either use a garden fork, aerator sandals, or a tyne aerator. If you have a larger area to cover, it may be worth hiring out a motorised aerator machine. For more information on how to aerate your lawn, check out our blog here.

For more lawn care tips and videos, make sure you check out the Lawn Solutions Australia YouTube channel here.