March 2024

Autumn Lawn Care Products

Posted on March 28, 2024May 20, 2024 by Sarah

As the warmer temperatures of summer start to transition into the autumn, now is a great time to focus on getting your lawn into shape before the cooler temperatures start to set in. Here’s some autumn lawn care products that are great to use on your lawn when preparing for winter.

Fertilisers

Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser

Supercharge your lawn with Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser ideal for all lawn varieties.

Both fast and slow-release granules packed with essential nutrients and trace elements encourage strong growth and rich colour.

The slow-release granules will deliver a small amount of nutrients to your lawn each day for up to 12 weeks after the initial application to aid in sustained growth for best all-round results.

Contains 16% Nitrogen (N), 0.7% Phosphorus (P), 4% Potassium (K), 20% Sulphur (S), 1.5% Calcium (Ca) and 2% Iron (Fe).

Provides nutrients for turf growth and recovery.

Lawn Solutions Premium Lawn Fertiliser was developed specifically for use on Sir Walter DNA Certified Soft Leaf Buffalo and works equally well on other lawn varieties.

Exceed Liquid Fertiliser

Exceed Liquid Fertiliser is a premium, professional foliar fertiliser designed to bring out the best in any lawn.

Providing health and colour to your lawn during the growing period.

Exceed is ideal for correcting nutrient deficiencies quickly, addressing stress related issues or for a general boost to overall health.

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

exceed liquid fertiliser — Exceed Concentrate

exceed liquid fertiliser hose on — Exceed Hose-on

Weed Prevention | Pre-Emergent Herbicides

Oxafert Pre-Emergent Herbicide and Fertiliser

Oxafert controls annual grass-type weeds including Winter Grass, Crowsfoot, Summer Grass, Creeping Oxalis and Crabgrass before they appear.

Oxafert will prevent the targeted weed seedlings before they take hold, preventing them from growing and spreading throughout your lawn for up to 12 weeks.

Fertiliser contains a balanced ratio of Nitrogen 16%, Phosphorus 2.0%, Potassium 6.0%, Sulphur 16%, Iron 1.5%, and Magnesium 0.2% to give your lawn a boost.

Lawn Solutions Oxafert won’t harm healthy turf or inhibit turf root growth or recovery from damage.

Fertilise your lawn and control weeds in one easy application.

A 3kg bag of Oxafert treats up to 100m2.

Oxafert Plus 20kg

Pre-emergent Herbicide, Insecticide and Fertiliser

Oxafert Plus is a combination pre-emergent herbicide, insecticide and fertiliser for pre-emergent control of summer grass, crowsfoot grass, winter grass and creeping oxalis and curative control of African black beetle, Argentinian scarab and billbug in turf with the added benefit of a fertiliser to feed turf.

Warm season turfgrass areas, including fairways, golf tees, municipal sports fields, industrial and lawns.

Lawn Solutions Oxafert Plus Herbicide, Insecticide and Fertiliser is a convenient ready to use formulation for the control of certain annual grass weeds and insect pests in turf with added benefit of providing a fertiliser treatment.

Lawn Colour Enhancement

Iron Guard Plus

Iron Guard Plus is a turfgrass-enhancing bio-stimulant that contains iron and amino acids, formulated to provide a boost in colour and turf strength. Iron Guard Plus will maximise turfgrass colour retention and promote lateral growth, making it ideal for improved winter dormancy transition.

You can apply Iron Guard Plus monthly when active growth is present or when nutrient deficiency symptoms are visible to maintain even growth and colour for your lawn.

2.5L provides up to 1,250m2 of coverage.

ColourGuard Plus

Wanting to keep your lawn looking as best it can until the warmer months?

ColourGuard Plus is a liquid fertiliser and a natural grass pigment that instantly restores the colour of your lawn. Apply this 100% natural grass colourant to keep your lawn looking green year-round. Just one application can give your lawn up to three months of great colour.

ColourGuard Plus delivers micron-sized pigment solids into the tiny pores of leaf tissues via water spray. The colour pigments are organic and natural making ColourGuard a safe product for the environment, pets, and people. Once it’s dried, it’s locked in. ColourGuard won’t bleed, run, or stain once absorbed.

Easy to use, works on all lawns, in extreme heat, rain, cold and frost. Plus, ColourGuard reduces the amount of fertiliser and water your lawn requires. Lawn Solutions ColourGuard can dry on your lawn in as little as 2 hours when in full sunlight and will work like a lawn paint.

ColourGuard Plus is available in 4 convenient sizes:

colourguard plus RTU — ColourGuard Plus Hose-on

colourguard plus 100ml — ColourGuard Plus 100ml Concentrate

Weed Treatments | Herbicides

All Purpose Weed Control

Knock out common weeds such as Bindii, Creeping Oxalis, Catsear, Clover, Cudweed, Dandelion and Thistles.

This All Purpose Weed Control is suitable for established couch, bent, kikuyu, paspalum, buffalo, zoysia, fescue and rye lawns and turf.

Easy to use, clip on hose on attachment will make application easier than ever. No need to measure and mix up concentrates.

Lawn Solutions All Purpose Weed Control 2L ready-to-use bottle treats up to 200m2.

All Purpose Weed Control is safe to use on buffalo, however it is not safe to use on the older ST buffalo varieties.

Active Ingredients:

12g/L Bromoxynil
12g/L MCPA

all purpose weed control — All Purpose Weed Control

Amgrow Winter Grass Killer

Amgrow Winter Grass Killer mixes readily with water for easy application. Breaks down quickly so there’s no residue left in the soil.

Selective Winter Grass control in Blue Couch, Common Couch, Bent, Buffalo (including Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo) and Brown top Lawns

Cannot be used on kikuyu or fescue lawns.

2-3 applications required.

Active constituent: 175g/L Endothal as the Dipotassium Salt.

Will treat 200m2 in total.

Should be applied with a fine spray as soon as the winter grass appears and before it has a chance to flower and set seed.

winter grass killer herbicide — Amgrow Winter Grass Killer

Behind the Scenes on a Turf Farm

Posted on March 19, 2024March 19, 2024 by Sarah

Growing, Maintaining and Harvesting Turf

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind-the-scenes of a working turf farm. It’s a lot more than just watching grass grow, it takes years of experience and dedication to develop the skills required to grow and harvest quality turf.

Toolbox Meeting

Every day is different, but on a normal day on a turf farm generally at the start of the week, staff will get together for a toolbox meeting. Workers gather to discuss the tasks and goals for the day, ensuring everyone is aligned and aware of their responsibilities. This coordination is crucial for smooth operations and efficient workflow.

Field Inspection

One of the first tasks of the day is field inspection. Skilled workers walk through the turf fields, carefully observing the health and condition of the grass. They look for signs of pests, diseases, or any other issues that may require attention as this can dictate some of the tasks required for the day.

How Grass is Planted on a Turf Farm

Most turf varieties in Australia will be planted by sprigs, which are small sections of mature grass stems. These sprigs are carefully placed and pressed into the soil, allowing them to take root and establish themselves.

Water is essential for the growth and establishment of sprigged planted turf. Workers operate irrigation systems to water the fields, ensuring the grass receives the necessary hydration. They monitor the water distribution, adjusting as needed to prevent overwatering or under-watering.

Workers regularly inspect and repair any issues with the irrigation infrastructure, such as broken sprinkler heads or damaged pipes.

Application of Fertilisers, Herbicides and Pesticides

Another essential task on a turf farm is the application of fertilisers. Workers carefully measure and apply the appropriate fertiliser blends to provide the grass with essential nutrients. This step contributes to the vibrant colour and overall health of the turf.

Pest and weed control are also a crucial aspect of turf farm management. Workers monitor the fields for any signs of pests or insects and implement targeted control measures.

Mowing of Turf Paddocks

Mowing the turf paddocks is a big task that is undertaken in some cases a few times a week to maintain the desired height and uniform appearance. Skilled workers operate tractors with large cutting decks to carefully trim the grass, promoting denser growth and a neat, manicured finish.

How Do You Harvest Turf?

Daily turf harvesting is an integral part of a turf farm’s activities and is usually started very early in the morning. When the turf reaches its ideal maturity, it’s time for a paddock to be opened for harvesting.

Skilled workers use advanced turf harvesting machines featuring robotics. These machines carefully cut the mature grass into turf rolls or slabs and stack it on a pallet. This task requires precision and attention to ensure the turf is harvested in optimal condition before loading onto trucks for delivery.

Machinery Cleaning and Maintenance

The day concludes with equipment maintenance. Workers clean and inspect the machinery, ensuring they are in optimal condition for the next day’s tasks. Regular equipment maintenance prolongs its lifespan and guarantees smooth operations.

We this gives you a good idea of how extensive turf farming can be and what goes into supplying premium quality turf. If you are in need of some turf, get in touch with your local Lawn Solutions Australia Accredited turf suppliers here.

You can find more lawn care tips and advice on our website here.

How to Stop Creeping Indigo from Invading Your Lawn

Posted on March 19, 2024March 19, 2024 by Sarah

Indigofera spicata

Creeping Indigo can be particularly annoying to remove from your lawn due to its large tap root. So, what is the best way to tackle this weed in your lawn? Let’s find out…

Creeping Indigo’s Identifying Features

Creeping Indigo is an herbaceous weed with flexible green stems and leaves arranged on alternate sides. The Creeping Indigo will spread out from all directions from its large tap root. The large tap root, unfortunately, can make it a difficult weed to remove fully.

Creeping Indigo flowers year-round. Its flowers are pink, pink-orange in colour. This weed spreads by seed, so removing it before the plant goes to seed will help stop it from returning to your lawn.

This weed is commonly seen throughout Southeast QLD, particularly in the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, but has also been seen in northern parts of the Northern Territory.

Key Features:

Large tap root.
Grows flat on the ground.
Pink, pink-orange flowers 5-25mm long.

Tips for Stopping Creeping Indigo

As this weed spreads from its seeds, getting on top of any Creeping Indigo before it goes to seed is best. If it has gone to seed, it is recommended to ensure you are mowing with a catcher on, so the weed seeds are less likely to spread across the lawn. It is also recommended to ensure you dispose of your clippings appropriately so the seeds won’t grow back.

How to Remove Creeping Indigo from Your Lawn

If the weed is still young, you can look at removing it by hand. You will need to find the centre of the plant as this is where its tap root will be. Then, gather the stems of the weed in one hand, and in the other, use either a narrow trowel or a long knife to help loosen the soil around the long root. Then, you should be able to pull out the weed and its roots gently. If you are planning to pull this out by hand, watering the soil prior can help make it an easier task.

Creeping Indigo needs to be slowly killed otherwise if it is hit with round up for example it shuts down quickly and doesn’t absorb the herbicide down to the roots. Repeated application of Dicamba-based herbicides can be used as treatment. However, it is important to note that Dicamba-based herbicides are not safe to use on Buffalo lawns.

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