Nathan Edwards, Author at Lawn Solutions Australia

Is Urine Burn Ruining Your Lawn?

Posted on January 27, 2021April 3, 2024 by Nathan Edwards

Dog urine is often one of the leading causes of dead patches in our lawns. Urine burns can be particularly frustrating as the solution is not always clear. We have looked into a variety of options that could help to stop or reduce the effect of urine burns on your lawn.

But first…

Why does my dog’s urine kill my lawn?

Protein taken in by dogs is excreted through the dog’s urine as nitrogen. As dog’s urine can be quite concentrated with nitrogen, our lawns can become burnt and die off. This can become particularly annoying, especially when these patches are in areas of high visibility or of which you wish to enjoy.

Urine Burn Prevention Tips

Dog Rocks

A popular option by many dog owners is Dog Rocks. Dog Rocks help by filtering out impurities in water, such as tin, ammonia and nitrates. These rocks are simply added to your dog’s water bowl where they are claimed to make the necessary adjustments for burn-free urine. Although this product does not help areas which have already been affected by urine burn, they can however, help to stop more spots from occurring. Dog Rocks can start working 8-10 hours after being placed into your dog’s water bowl and will need replacing every 2 months.

Pee Post

The Simple Solution Pee Post Pheromone Stake has been treated with a specific scent to encourage your pets to urinate in a specific area. The stick can be placed in an area of your backyard that you want to encourage your pets to urinate at. This will help stop your dogs from weeing across the lawn. This stake will release the scent continuously for months. This option takes out the need to change or alter your dogs diet.

Watering and Irrigation Methods

If you are able to dilute your dog’s urine before it is able to absorb and dry, you will be able to limit the concentration and reduce the likelihood for burning. If you have an irrigation or watering system that you can add a timer to, you could set it to come on more regularly throughout the day or specifically in areas that you know your dog regularly uses. While this may not be frequent enough to be effective all of the time, it may be enough to significantly reduce the amount of burning that is occurring.

Of course, if you happen to be around when your dog does their business, a quick blast with the hose will greatly limit burns to your lawn.

Dietary Adjustments

When looking to make changes to your dog’s diet to reduce the impact of urine, it is recommended that you contact your local veterinarian to ensure you are still providing your fury friends with their essential nutrient requirements and not causing them any harm.

Some options include:

Filtering your dog’s water before adding to their water bowl. Filtered water can work in a similar way to Dog Rocks, by removing impurities in the water. If you do not have access to a filtered water tap, a popular option is to use a filtered water jug. These jugs often come with a removable filter which can be changed every 2 months.
By feeding your dog a high-quality and well-balanced diet with the appropriate protein levels for your dog’s breed, you should be able to reduce the concentration of nitrogen in your dog’s urine.
Adding one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s water is claimed to help remove nitrogen from your dog’s urine. However, it is important to note that there is no substantial evidence that this method will be successful. If you do decide to try this method, we recommend that you use a natural apple cider vinegar from a health food store and get in contact with your local vet prior to use.

Training

Training your dog to only use one area of your lawn may be an effective option to help stop widespread damage. It is best to choose an area of your lawn which isn’t used as often or is not visible from where you like to relax and enjoy your garden.
Training your dog to use a synthetic pet potty mat could also be an effective option that won’t require any changes to your dog’s diet. There are a variety of pet potty mats available both online and in stores. It is important to note that this option may be timely as training is required but can provide a long-term solution.
Similar to a synthetic potty mat, you can make your own pet potty mat using turf. This way your dog will still be able to have the same feel of grass underfoot while doing its business. Use a shallow container or tray that is easy for your pets to walk into, place a role of turf into the tray and replace turf as needed. Again, this will take time to train your dog to use but will stop your dog urinating on your lawn.

Treatment for Dog Urine Burns

Once the urine burn has occurred, the burnt turf, may not grow back. But there a few things you can do to help the area recover quickly. Firstly, rake out the dead plant material and lightly raise the area by adding a small amount of topsoil. You can also add some dolomite lime which will reduce the acidity caused by the urine burn in the soil, making it more favourable for new growth. Follow this up with regular watering and mowing and you will help to encourage lateral growth and further thickening of the lawn.

For more information on repairing patches, check out our blog How to repair a thin and patchy lawn.

By using some of the tips above, or in combination, you should hopefully have some success with limiting the effect of dog urine on your lawn. Good luck!

Fungicides | Treatment & Prevention

Posted on January 27, 2021March 8, 2021 by Nathan Edwards

Unfortunately, when the conditions are right, usually damp and humid, fungal disease could appear in your lawn. These such conditions have been common in many areas across Australia in recent months.

When these turf diseases take hold, it is important that you identify and target the disease with an appropriate response quickly.

Fungal related symptoms to look out for:

Coloured patches or rings in your lawn – yellow, white or brown
Powdery coatings or threads on the grass blade surface
Thinned out areas, or areas of wet or slimy looking turf
Leaf blades with irregular discolouration or texture

What causes fungal disease?

The most common reasons fungal diseases occur are:

Weather conditions, particularly temperature and humidity
Overwatering and watering at night
Soil compaction
Overfertilising or using the wrong type of fertiliser
Incompatible grass varieties for your area
Poor mowing habits – mowing too low in particular

Applying Fungicides

If you have a particularly nasty fungal problem, you will need to apply a fungicide.

Fungicides like Heritage Maxx or Mancozeb kill fungi and the spores within the soil or plant by inhibiting their growth.

Add the required amount of product directly to your spray tank and mix well following the mixing rates and application information on the fungicide label.

When applying ensure even application in order to achieve even disease control. Avoid overlapping sprays.

Precautions

DO NOT apply using spraying equipment carried on the back of the user.
Wait to enter treated areas until the spray has dried, unless wearing chemical resistant gloves and footwear.
DO NOT use this product through any type of irrigation system or ultra-low volume spray system
Make sure you wear the appropriate protective equipment and clothing when using the fungicide as per the label instructions

Fungicides

Heritage Maxx

Heritage Maxx is a liquid broad-spectrum fungicide for the control and prevention of turf diseases including – Pythium, Anthracnose, Brown Patch and Spring Dead Spot. This fungicide provides consistent protection of new growth for up to 28 days after application, making it a great option as part of a preventative plan.

Begin applications before symptoms occur when conditions first favour disease and continue applications while conditions remain favourable for disease development.

Mancozeb

A dry flowable preventative fungicide formulation for the control of certain fungal diseases including – Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Grey Leaf Spot.

Apply as a protective spray schedule at 7-day intervals throughout the susceptible season or climate.

A fungicide application should be only considered when a disease has spread considerably and if all other treatment options have been unsuccessful.

Other treatments include:

Soil Aeration
Fertilising
Thatch Removal
Reducing watering and irrigation and
Reducing shade where possible

For more information on these treatment options click here.

Give Your Lawn a Top Up! | Summer Fertilising

Posted on December 17, 2020January 15, 2025 by Nathan Edwards

If you fertilised your lawn in spring, it’s now likely time for another application. Most common slow release fertilisers will provide nutrient for your lawn for up to 12 weeks. So, if you fertilised your lawn in early to mid-spring, now is great time to give it a top up.

Summer fertilising helps your lawn maintain an even growth pattern. Most fertilisers have added minor nutrients, which work to give your lawn the correct balance of nutritional requirements.

Summer Fertilising

Why should you fertilise your lawns in Summer?

We need to fertilise our lawns because there is usually a lack of nutrients required within the soil and in summer these nutrients can become depleted. We need to supplement the existing nutrient levels, so we can achieve a balance of all the nutrients your lawn needs to stay in top shape.

Things to consider when fertilising in summer

When applying fertiliser read the label for rates, but generally 20 grams per square metre is recommended in most cases, so two kilograms will do an average 100 square metre lawn.

Do not apply fertiliser to your lawn during the heat of the day. Mornings or late afternoons are best. If a significantly hot day is forecast, it would be best to wait and apply when conditions are milder.

You must water in your fertiliser after applying, otherwise you risk burning the leaf of the grass. If you don’t have a pop-up irrigation system, it’s a good idea to apply fertiliser before rain to save water. You can also set up a sprinkler or water it in well by hand with a hose. If a lot of rain is forecast however, it may be best to wait as the fertiliser could be significantly displaced or washed away.

Also make sure you only apply it to a dry lawn so that damage isn’t caused by applying to an already wet leaf that is subjected to the fertiliser.

If you have a pH imbalance, fertilising won’t be as effective. Test your soil’s pH level to ensure your lawn is able to absorb the nutrients it requires, instead of applying additional fertiliser, as this could be potentially harmful.

Fertilisers to Apply this Summer

If you are looking to apply a granular fertiliser this summer we recommend looking at either our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser or our new ProPlus Fertiliser.

The Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser has a combination of fast and slow-release granules, giving the lawn a good upfront boost boost, while continuing to feed the lawn for up to 12 weeks.

lawn fertiliser — Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser

Pro Plus Natural Carbon Fertiliser has a much smaller mini prill making it an ideal choice for manicured and low cut lawns. This means that the granule can reach down into the profile easier, reducing the risk of fertiliser burns to the leaf. The Pro Plus also has an extended release granule, releasing nutrients to the lawn evenly over 90 days.

proplus carbon fertiliser — ProPlus Mini Prill Fertiliser

How to repair a lawn after leaf burn

If you have applied too much fertiliser or done so incorrectly during summer, your lawn can suffer leaf burn. Leaf burn shows as a scorching or burning of the plant foliage and can occur if applied during the heat of the day or if applied to an already wet lawn. Fertilisers contain salts which can draw moisture from the leaf resulting in browning or yellowing discolouration and even root damage.

Lawn Rescue

Lawn Rescue is designed to restore lawns that have lost colour and appearance due to drought, heat or lack of water and nutrients. Which makes it a great option to use in summer in general, but also if your lawn seems to be in a bit of stress or has suffered from some leaf burn.

Lawn Rescue contains the following:

Nitrogen (N) – 5%
Phosphorus (P) – 7.0%
Potassium (K) – 2.0%
Kelp – 7.5%
Polyacrylamide (PAM) – 7.5% (soil conditioner/wetting agent – Helps porosity and reduces compaction, and water run-off.
Trace elements

This perfect blend of liquid fertilisers, seaweed extracts and wetting agents is ideal for all new and established lawns. Lawn Rescue promotes the development of root systems and growth in new lawns, and stimulates, supports and protects root growth in established lawns year-round.

Lawn Rescue features both nutrient and rehydration properties, which also makes it the perfect solution for tired, slow-growing lawns that can occur during a long hot summer.

ColourGuard Plus

Another option, if your lawn has lost some colour and vigour from the heat is ColourGuard Plus. It’s a natural pigment with a liquid fertiliser and it’s a great solution during drought conditions to keep your grass green and to save water at the same time. If you are primarily looking for an instant green up and your lawn has slowed in growth due to high temperatures, ColourGuard Plus is the ideal solution.

ColourGuard Plus will grow out with the existing leaf, so if your lawn is growing quickly it may be best to look at alternative fertiliser options like Lawn Rescue or a slow release granular fertiliser instead for more long-lasting results.

A Toast to the Aussie Lawn

Posted on December 17, 2020December 18, 2020 by Nathan Edwards

The humble Aussie lawn provides the backbone for summer night festivities, BBQ’s with family and friends, a game of backyard cricket and a place to play for our children and pets. Our lawns have hosted many epic backyard games, with some great victories and a few sad defeats (possibly a few dummy spits as well). But whether we are celebrating or commiserating, the Aussie lawn is a great place to congregate and enjoy togetherness.

Backyards are a staple for young families and create a space for our children to grow and play. Many memories of first footsteps, birthdays, making of friends and development milestones can occur out on the grass at home.

Our lawns are a great way for our family and friends to connect with each other. They provide the perfect space for relaxing after a day’s work, teaching your kids about nature and insects that live in the garden and provide a space for our fur babies to stretch their legs, be entertained and explore the many sniffs on offer.

The Aussie Backyard BBQ

It almost goes without saying, but you simply can’t have an Australia Day at home without a backyard BBQ! The classic Aussie BBQ has brought people together for generations. Enjoying a meal cooked on the BBQ is the perfect way to sit back, admire the work you have put into your lawn and enjoy it with those around you.

Important message regarding sausage sanga etiquette – The sausage must go diagonally across the bread… this is not open for discussion. Unless you are opting for a full two slice sandwich with sausage in the middle, then you can be excused from this rule (I hear some of you saying, “what about the bread to sausage ratio?” I hear you, but who are we to judge.)

Whether the onions go on top or underneath, well I’ll leave that up to you. Bunnings certainly have addressed this definitively with safety being paramount when it comes to sausage sanga construction (For those unaware the onions go on the bread and then the sausage at Bunnings). At the end of the day though, if it’s likely to get messy, out on the grass is the best place to be.

Newer turf varieties like TifTuf and some older favourites like the quintessential Sir Walter, have played a substantial part in facilitating our favourite backyard social activities…

The Aussie Backyard Cricket Pitch

Many of you may have turned your lawns into backyard cricket pitches for Australia Day, providing the foundation for the annual backyard match. Playing a game of cricket in the backyard is a great way to connect back with your family and friends and bring out the competitive rivalry. To find out how to make your lawn into a backyard cricket pitch check out our video here.

Lawns are not only good to sit back and enjoy but also show a sense of pride for your home.

The Aussie Garden

Our gardens are a great way to express ourselves, get in touch with nature and your lawn is the glue that ties it all together. Gardening and tending to your lawn are not only great hobbies to enjoy, but you can increase the value of your property in the process.

Better yet, if you really get into the lawn fanaticism you can show it off to family and friends. Or upstage the neighbours and the other lawn fanatic down the street

Whether you have a backyard cricket pitch on TifTuf, a show garden with Sir Grange or the backyard classic Sir Walter, we hope your Aussie lawn has grown with you and your changing family’s needs.

To the Aussie lawn!

Managing Heat Stress

Posted on December 17, 2020January 6, 2025 by Nathan Edwards

How to water your lawn efficiently

Water is fundamental for grass to transport nutrients, maintain cell structure and for it to create its own food through the process of photosynthesis.

For the most part, this water requirement will be met through rainfall or soil moisture storage.

Warm season grasses like buffalo, couch, kikuyu and zoysia, will go into dormancy during hot and dry conditions, conserving energy to maintain plant health. They will then recover and increase leaf growth again when conditions improve. But in some situations, or extended dry spells, the plant may begin to suffer further.

Managing Heat Stress

Here are some signs your lawn may be suffering from heat stress:

If it’s wilting or losing colour.
If you walk across your lawn and there is a noticeable footprint left behind, then your lawn is likely to be lacking in water. If it bounces back, your lawn should be well hydrated. This is known as the footprint test.
In extreme heat, your lawn could take on a blue to grey colouration, before starting to die if left unattended.
During extended hot weather, if it goes dry and crusty and takes on a light brown colour, there’s a good chance it needs watering.

Dry patches and hydrophobic soil

Because soil doesn’t necessarily hold water evenly, the dry patches or heat stressed turf may present in patches rather than uniformly across the whole lawn.

In many cases this is because the soil in these patches has become hydrophobic and/or compacted. In some cases, a pre-existing fungal problem could also be contributing to the occurrence of hydrophobic soil.

After long periods of dry weather, soils can become dehydrated and this is when the hydrophobic surface is exposed. This surface stops water from penetrating efficiently.

Wetting agents are the solution in this situation. Wetting agents are like a detergent or surfactant that attract water to the soils surface, helping it to soak in and improve infiltration in these areas. This reduces water run-off, encourages deeper roots which helps to make your lawn more drought tolerant.

Lawn Soaker is a ready to use soil wetting agent specifically developed for use on lawns. It improves the penetration of water so it can reach deep down to the roots. Regular use will ensure the soil re-wets and prevents further dry spots from forming.

In addition to a wetting agent application, we also recommend aerating your lawn. Aeration, whether it be with a garden fork or aerating machine, will help disrupt dry compacted soil and allow moisture to be absorbed down deeper.

How often should I water my lawn?

A common question we get asked here at Lawn Solutions Australia is, “how often should I water my lawn?” – The answer to this question can be quite different due to a variety of factors.

Some of these factors include:

The climate in your area and the season
Water restrictions
Access to and cost of water
Your soil type and its ability to absorb and hold water
Lawn variety and its drought tolerance
Environmental factors such as how much sun, shade, wind or heat there is in your garden and your area
The overall health of your lawn

With these factors in mind, the best way to know when to water is when you notice the early signs of heat stress and to act quickly when you do. In the worst heat of summer this could mean watering your lawn a few times a week.

When and how to water your lawn

The best time to water your lawn is early morning or late in the afternoon/early evening, when there is no wind and less chance of water loss due to heat related evaporation. In humid areas, avoid late afternoon or early evening watering as this can increase the chance of fungal diseases. Early morning is best.

Overwatering is not good for your lawn, your hip pocket or the environment, in fact, it’s a total waste of time and should be avoided at all costs. Long, deep soakings less frequently will ensure your lawn develops better drought tolerance and saves water.

The idea is to get to the point where you water less frequently but give the lawn a deep soaking. This encourages deep root systems and so a more self-sufficient and drought tolerant lawn.

As the water drains through the soil, the roots seek the water out deeper in the soil, rather than just hanging around the surface, which is what will happen if you just give it short, regular splashes. Educate your lawn to go the distance.

A good way to know measure how much water your lawn is receiving is to spread some empty tuna cans or catch cups around the lawn while irrigating. This will help you to know if you have even coverage and how many millimetres of water the soil is receiving. As a guide, 10mm is ideal for most lawns.

By looking out for signs of heat stress, watering effectively when required and taking action to improve soil permeability, you can ensure your lawn will be able to beat the heat.

For more information relating to watering your lawn check out our blog here.

Thank you from Lawn Solutions Australia

Posted on December 2, 2020March 15, 2021 by Nathan Edwards

Looking back on the year that’s been is in some ways a hard one to do in 2020. Many of us would rather close this chapter as we head towards 2021 cautiously optimistic that there will better times ahead. But out of the darkness has been the shining light of a time thought past that has been reinvigorated by all this extra time at home. The Aussie backyard has been reborn! More of us have had the time, or spare funds from no longer dining out or travelling to invest in our homes and outside spaces. If you are going to spend more time at home you might as well enjoy it, right?

The effect this has had on the DIY industry in Australia has been phenomenal and it’s reminded us of the importance of creating a healthy space for wellbeing and relaxation, away from the complexities of our modern day lives. A time to reflect on the experiences we have created with our families, with a renewed appreciation for the lives we have here in Australia in comparison to other less fortunate areas of the world.

Gardening, planting, landscaping and tending to our lawns, have provided us with a way to be healthy, both through productive physical activity and through the improvement in our living environments.

Newer turf varieties like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda have come to the fore, with the Aussie backyard evolving. Grass isn’t just grass anymore. Grass needs to be tough; it needs to be environmentally friendly; it needs to provide a place for families and social activities and provide the wow factor for appealing real estate. Lawn Solutions Australia is proud to be a part of this new wave of enthusiasm for the Aussie lawn and what’s in store for the coming years.

Lawn Solutions Australia would like to thank everyone we have interacted with through our social media pages, over the phone and via email this year. We love discussing lawns and providing advice and recommendations to help you get the most out of your outside space. We appreciate that many of you have had a difficult year and we hope that hopefully in some way we have made it a little bit better. We look forward to getting out and about again to interact with many of you in person (if safe to do so of course), with the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show presented by Lawn Solutions Australia at this stage still going ahead next year.

To all of the turf industry, particularly those who have experienced closures, layoffs and shutdowns this year, we are here with you and we hope you have a much better year in 2021. A year where we will hopefully be able to enjoy attending and participating in sport again on the turf surfaces that you work so hard to prepare and maintain.

To the nurses and doctors, first responders, essential workers, the delivery drivers and posties, to everyone who has played an important part in supporting our communities this year, we thank you. We thank everyone for the community spirit we have witnessed this year and we look forward to a much brighter 2021.

See you next year Lawn Lovers

How to tell if you’re a lawn fanatic

Posted on December 2, 2020December 2, 2020 by Nathan Edwards

We love the passion and enthusiasm many of you show for your lawns. There’s even a select few of you that take this to a whole other level. Are you one of these people? Do you leave your neighbours scratching their heads in spring when you seemingly destroy a perfectly good-looking lawn in the name of a reno?

How many of the following can you relate to?…

You have a range of photos on your phone of your lawn from multiple angles ready to utilise or show when required.
Every spring you seem to destroy a perfectly nice lawn with a reno leaving the neighbours scratching their heads as to why you would do that to an already good-looking lawn.
A lawn product schedule is pinned up in the shed to remind you when to treat the lawn with a specific product each season.
You sometimes vacuum the grass to remove clippings and debris.
The mower is kept cleaner than the car or is just as clean, but they are matching colours.
Mows almost every day and goes over the lawn more than once when they do.
Buys the postie a thank you present for not riding on their lawn.
Speaking of lawn care products, these are displayed in the shed so neatly and organised it looks like a stock display at the store!
You have had multiple turf varieties andhave completely stripped and laid new lawn so you can try out a different variety.
Your favourite thing to do at a BBQ is to comment on the lawn and continue to strike up conversations about all thing’s lawn related.
You fancy yourself as a bit of a ‘turfologist’ and have your own ‘turf research facility’ with a range of different grasses in pots or similar so you can see how they perform.
You not only find memes to post, but you also create memes to share with the large number of lawn groups and pages you have joined. Shout out to the lawn groups out there!

Let us know how many of these you can relate to or maybe you have a friend who like this, tag them in the comments! Have we missed any others?

Summer Grass Weeds

Posted on December 2, 2020February 3, 2025 by Nathan Edwards

Not all weeds can be easily treated with common broadleaf herbicides. Some, mainly summer grass weeds, require a specific herbicide product for treatment.

In this article, we talk about summer grass, paspalum and crabgrass/crowsfoot.

Summer Grass

Digitaria Sanguinalis and Digitaria Cilaris

Summer grass is an annual weed that appears in the warmer months of the year. It will then go to seed into autumn where it can emerge over several years. There are two varieties of Summer grass that are very similar in appearance. If left untreated, it can grow as high as 30cm and 1m wide, thrive in conditions of high temperatures and high humidity.

Description

Summer grass is an annual weed which has soft hairy leaves that grow close to the ground in clusters. The grass roots at the node (joint) and the sheathes of the leaf are usually purple tinged in colour at the base. Because Summer grass spreads by seed, it is extremely important that you act before this happens.

Paspalum

Paspalum Dilatatum

This is a perennial grass weed that is found mostly in the South Eastern states of Australia.

It will start out as clumps and then will spread throughout sparse and poor performing lawns.

Description

This weed has a purple tinge at the base of broad grass leaves that stem from a central crown. It primarily grows throughout the warmer months from late spring to early autumn. This weed spreads through the transportation of sticky seeds. These seeds easily adhere themselves to pets, shoes and objects before falling off in a new location.

Crowsfoot or Crabgrass

Eleusine Indica or Digitaria (Finger-grasses)

Crowsfoot is known by many names, but one it sometimes goes by here in Australia is Crabgrass.

Description

Crowsfoot grass is a summer annual that grows in easy to identify tufts. They stay fairly flat to the ground with almost white flat sheathed stems and smooth strap like leaves.

This weed is difficult to control as can tolerate low mowing and will thrive in nutrient deprived and compacted soil conditions. It will begin to germinate in the soil when temperatures reach above 15°C and can grow extremely quickly once active.

Seed heads appear usually from late spring or early summer. These seed heads can have as many as ten spikelets on each long stem. In an unhealthy lawn, if left to seed and spread, Crowsfoot will quickly infiltrate right through the entire lawn. Crowsfoot is commonly found throughout most Australian states including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Prevention

The best way to control these types of weeds is to maintain a healthy lawn where they are unlikely to infiltrate and spread. Being proactive and removing them as soon as they appear and before they go to seed will be the key to preventing them from spreading out of control. It is always easier to control weeds from the outset rather than to try to remove them once they get out of hand.

By choosing a suitable lawn species for your area, keeping it healthy and well maintained and at the right mowing height for your chosen variety, you’ll have a leg up on any potential weed invasions.

Treatment

Hand removal

All of the above grass weeds can be removed by hand, but they will continue to re-emerge in sparse unhealthy lawn areas. Getting your grass to spread and thicken will make it difficult for these weeds to infiltrate. Make sure you dig underneath the crown, below soil level and remove the entire root of the plant. Be careful not to spread any seeds during the process. If you act quickly you should be able to eradicate them fairly easily from your lawn this way.

Post-Emergent Herbicides

If these grass weeds have spread throughout your lawn and are out of control, you may need to look at applying a selective herbicide.

David Grays Crabgrass and Clover Killer and herbicides formulated with the active DSMA will control paspalum, crowsfoot/crabgrass and summer grass.

These herbicides can be easily mixed in a pressure sprayer, with the addition of a surfactant or wetting agent like Manta Ray or a couple drops of dishwashing liquid to ensure it adheres better to the leaf. For best results, spray the weeds when they are actively growing during the warmer months. Repeated applications may be required in order to fully eradicate them from your lawn. Make sure you adhere to the application rates and instructions on the product label.

*For kikuyu, buffalo lawns and QLD Blue Couch, it is advised to only spot spray and not spray the entire lawn as it can cause harm to your grass as well.

Another option is to treat the individual weed tufts with a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate (Round Up or Zero). You will need to make sure you do so extremely carefully as it will kill everything it comes in contact with. The safest way is to use a small paintbrush or weed wand and carefully brush the glyphosate only onto the invading weeds leaf.

Pre-Emergent Herbicides

A really effective way of stopping Crowsfoot/Crabgrass and Summer Grass from germinating in your lawn again next year is to apply a pre-emergent herbicide like Oxafert.

These herbicides act by stopping weeds from germinating from the soil in the first place. In order for them to work effectively, you need to apply them before emergence. For many of these weeds this would mean you would be best applying it in early to mid-spring. However they can be applied at any time.

For more information on how to treat specific weeds in your lawn, visit the Lawn Solutions Australia lawn care page here.

What are Controlled Release Fertilisers?

Posted on December 1, 2020 by Nathan Edwards

Fertiliser technologies you need to know

Dr Sam Stacey and Will Pearce, ICL Specialty Fertilisers

Healthy, resilient turf needs adequate nutrition and that’s why applying the right fertiliser product is so important. With so many fertiliser technologies on offer it can be difficult to know which product will give the best result. This article has been written to help demystify the differences between conventional, slow release and controlled release fertilisers. We look at how each technology affects nutrient delivery to turf, how long they feed turf for and how local environmental conditions affect performance.

Conventional fertilisers – how long do they last?

Studies show that almost all of the nitrogen and phosphorus in conventional fertiliser granules is released on the same day that it is applied to the soil (this occurs whether a granule ‘shell’ is still visible or not). Fast dissolution is very easy to observe with urea granules, which can dissolve in minutes following light irrigation or even on humid days. Liquid or foliar fertilisers behave like conventional fertilisers in that they provide immediately soluble nutrients. All of these fertilisers provide an almost immediate response but have a short-term effect.

Once nutrients are released from the granule, they are subject to the prevailing environmental conditions. Either they will be taken up by the turf or remain in the soil where they are potentially subject to leaching (washing through the soil below the root zone) or, in the case of nitrogen, gaseous loss to the atmosphere (e.g. volatilisation or denitrification). Wet conditions from rainfall or frequent irrigation can increase nutrient losses. Fertiliser that has been leached or lost is no longer available to the turf.

There are three broad categories of technologies that have been designed to reduce losses of nutrients (mainly nitrogen) and keep more of the fertiliser in the root zone where it is available to the turf. The technologies are 1) Slow Release, 2) Controlled Release and 3) Inhibitors (nitrification or urease). We discuss how both Slow Release and Controlled Release technology affects fertiliser behaviour and availability to turf below.

ICL and Lawns Solutions Australia are currently running a trial at Daleys Turf on a range of granular fertiliser technologies and their effect on the establishment of Sir Grange Zoysia turf.

Slow and Controlled Release Fertilisers

Slow and controlled release fertilisers work by slowing the delivery of nutrients in the soil. Unlike straight urea or compound granules, controlled release fertilisers release small amounts of nutrient each day for up to months at a time (the exact period is product dependent). Slowing and controlling the release of nutrients has the following benefits:

One application of fertiliser can potentially feed the turf for months, so far fewer applications need to be made, which can reduce labour costs;
The potential for burning of turf is significantly reduced because the nutrients are not immediately soluble.
The turf receives consistent nutrition because the fertiliser releases a small amount each day. This leads to more even growth, better density and consistent colour.
Nutrients are far less likely to be lost by leaching because only a small amount of nutrient is released into the soil at any one time. Polymer coating around the fertiliser granules protects the nutrients inside.
A sudden bout of heavy rainfall will not empty the soil of nutrients like it can when conventional or even inhibitor treated fertilisers have been used. Polymer coated fertilisers will continue to slowly release nutrients, which will replenish the soil once the rainfall has stopped.

**The difference between Slow Release and Controlled Release fertilisers**

We find that some manufacturers use different terminology, but the internationally accepted definitions are that the term slow release is usually used to describe a fertiliser that is not polymer coated and works by being partially insoluble. The fertiliser takes longer than usual to dissolve in the soil and therefore delivers nutrients over a longer period. For e.g. Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser.

What are Controlled Release Fertilisers?

Controlled release is used to describe fertilisers that have an outer polymer, polymer-sulphur or resin coating. The coating acts like a rain jacket; it slows moisture absorption by the granule and then slows the release of nutrients into the soil. With a good quality coating, it is possible to pre-program the fertiliser to release nutrients daily over different periods. Some controlled release fertilisers deliver nutrients over 2 months, others 6 months and others 8 months. Some examples include ICL Maintenance and All Round Fertilisers.

ICL manufactures some for ornamental plant production that release slowly and consistently over an 18-month period!

Figure 1. Controlled release fertilisers have a resin or polymer coating that slows and controls nutrient release into the soil.

These are the features of slow release and controlled release fertilisers that matter in turf management:

Slow release

Often deliver nutrients, especially nitrogen, over a shorter time-period compared to controlled release (e.g. approximately 8 weeks in the case of methylene-urea).
Can be manufactured with very small particle sizes, which is ideal for fine turf such as golf greens and tees, bowling greens and grass tennis courts.
Are less likely to burn or damage turf (compared to conventional or inhibitor treated fertilisers).
Often only nitrogen release is slowed.
ICL has recently released a new slow release phosphorus and calcium fertiliser called “Pearl” in the Sierrablen Plus range, especially targeted at improving root development in turf renovations.

Controlled release

Delivers nutrients over a longer time-period. Turf fertilisers most commonly use either 3-month or up to 5-months longevity.
Have larger granule sizes than slow release but are still available as a mini granule of 1.5 mm. Ideal for sports fields, fairways, amenity turf. Not ideal for very fine turf such as golf greens.
Offer the most controlled and predictable release of nutrients of any fertiliser. Are not affected by most environmental conditions such as the amount of rainfall or soil pH.
Nutrient release is faster in warmer temperatures, which can match the increase in turf growth rate and demand for nutrients.
Virtually any nutrient can be coated, so it is possible to supply turf with controlled release nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and trace elements.

Some blended fertilisers are labelled as containing controlled release. However, many have only a small percentage of the nitrogen or potassium coated (e.g. 10% or less) with the rest behaving like ordinary agricultural fertiliser. To get the full benefits of controlled release it is important to use products with high coating rates (minimum 25% coated N for fairways and sports fields, higher levels for higher end turf).

Which product will be the most effective?

If you want to apply fertiliser infrequently yet still have nutrients continuously available to the turf (to maintain density and colour over the long-term) then a controlled or slow release fertiliser will provide the best performance. Controlled release is usually recommended for sports fields, fairways and parks/gardens and a slow release with small particle sizes for fine turf.

Conventional fertilisers are still used in turf management. They release quickly and their effect is short-term, especially for turf grown on a sand-based construction. Despite the higher cost per bag, a good quality controlled or slow release fertiliser is likely to give better overall performance (by continuously feeding the turf), be more efficient at lower application rates and give better environment outcomes.

References:

Dougherty WJ, Collins D, Van Zwieten L, Rowlings DW (2016) Soil Research, 54(5) 675-683.

Gioacchini P, Nastri A, Marzadori C, Giovannini C, Antisari LV, Gessa C (2002) Biology and Fertility of Soils, 36(2) 129-135.

Guertal EA, Howe JA (2012) Agronomy Journal 104(2) 344-352.

Irigoyen I, Muro J, Azpilikueta M, Aparicio-Tejo P, Lamsfus C (2003) Australian Journal of Soil Research 41, 1177-1183.

Mosdell DK, Daniel WH, Freeborg RP (1986) Agronomy Journal 78(5) 801-806.

Waddington DV, Landschoot PJ, Hummel Jr NW (1989) Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 20(19-20), 2149-2170.

The Lawn Lovers Christmas Wish List

Posted on December 1, 2020December 7, 2023 by Nathan Edwards

Struggling to find the perfect gift for the lawn lover in your family? Want to know what lawn care products they would love to use to get the best grass on the street? If you are after gift ideas, then you have come to the right place!

We’ve dived into the world of lawn care for you to help find lawn care products that every lawn fanatic will love. Here is a list of some of our favourite lawn related products to help you find the ultimate gift:

Toro lawn striping kit

The Toro lawn striping kit will help create professional looking patterns and stripes on the lawn when mowing. The kit easily attaches to most walk behind mowers and can be used with or without an installed catcher on the mower. The roller has a comb that preps the grass before the roller rolls over and bends the grass down into the direction that you are mowing. Rolling of grass will not harm the lawn, it will gently bend the grass leaves in the direction that you are mowing leaving your lawn with a striped appearance.

Fiskars Xact™ Weed Puller

The Fiskars Xact Weed Puller is a great innovation for removing weeds effortlessly. It’s simple and ergonomic design eliminates the need for bending, kneeling and using chemicals for weeds removal. The deep reaching claws grab the root from all directions and removes the weed cleanly. Plus, the ejection system helps release the weed after it has been removed from the soil, allowing you to work upright at all times.

Holman iWeather Digital Weather Station

The Holman iWeather Digital Weather Station is an intelligent weather station that can be mounted outside your home. The weather station can then transmit data collected to the pad. The weather station collects information on wind direction, wind speed, rainfall, humidity, moon phases, trends in indoor and outdoor temperatures and a barometric pressure forecast. An alarm function can alert you when temperatures go over or below your adjusted setting.

Ecovacs White Goat G1 Robotic Lawn Mower

The Goat G1 is a new robot lawn mower to hit the market! Compared to other models, one of the main advantages of this mower is that it is a wire-free boundary set-up! It has intelligent path planning to ensure it covers your area efficiently for a well-maintained lawn.

Holman WX1 Tap Timer and Wi-Fi Hub

With this tap timer, you can manage and control your lawns watering schedule from anywhere! The Holman WX1 system allows you control your watering schedule all from your phone on their handy app! On their app, you can track water flow and usage, plus create custom water schedules or automated options to help you water more effectively.

Lawn Solutions Weed & Feed Bundle

The Lawn Solutions Weed & Feed Bundle contains a great combination of products to help get your lawn back on track for Summer. You can tackle any common broadleaf weeds with All Purpose Weed Control, give your lawn a boost with the Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser and stimulate and strengthen your lawns roots and shoots with Lawn Kelper. This bundle also contains a handy lawn care program plus gardening gloves.

Allet Grass Gauge

This one is for the die-hard lawn fanatics who are after a precise measurement of their height of cut while inspecting the condition of the grass blade tip. The Allet Grass Gauge has a 100mm wide viewing width and is able to measure grass height up to 50mm in length.

VB x Volley Heritage High White

Is the lawn lover in your life in need of some new mowing attire? Look no further than these VB Volleys! These shoes will really get you in the spirit to mow your lawn while giving you an excuse to enjoy a cold snack when finished!

Did you know that we sell a wide variety of lawn care products that can be bought online? We offer contactless delivery to your front door. Our lawn care products work on all lawns no matter what variety you own. Check them out online here.