nathe, Author at Lawn Solutions Australia

The Great Australian Lawn Off!

**Competition Now Closed**

Lawn Solutions Australia, the best of the best in Aussie lawns is launching The Great Australian Lawn Off! With over $5,000 in Bunnings Vouchers and prizes to giveaway!

Starting in September, Lawn Solutions will be having not one but 5 individual lawn competitions running every month until the big finale on Australia Day!

So, there will be plenty of chances to enter and win!

January – The Best Aussie Lawn on Australia Day ($2,000 Bunnings Voucher + Lawn Solutions Prize Pack*)

  • We’re looking for Australia’s best Aussie lawn! There is a $2,000 Bunnings voucher up for grabs! Check out the Lawn Solutions Australia Facebook page for details on how to enter once the competition goes live.

*Lawn Solutions Prize Pack includes $100 worth of LSA Merchandise and Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser.

Click here to view competition terms and conditions.

Congratulations to our winner Michael Vasilliou!


Competition Winners…

September – Best Pets and Lawn ($500 Bunnings Voucher + Lawn Solutions Prize Pack*) – *CLOSED*

  • Got a cute pet and love your lawn? Well there’s a $500 Bunnings voucher up for grabs! Check out the Lawn Solutions Australia Facebook page for details on how to enter once the competition goes live.

Congratulations to our first winner Alex Robinson!

October – Best Spring Renovation ($500 Bunnings Voucher + Lawn Solutions Prize Pack*) – *CLOSED*

Congratulations to our winner Jaqualin Edward Siburian!

November – Best Landscaped Lawn ($500 Bunnings Voucher + Lawn Solutions Prize Pack*)

Congratulations to our winner Bruce Shiach-Wise!

December – Best Christmas Lawn Display ($1,500 Bunnings Voucher + Lawn Solutions Prize Pack*)

Congratulations to our winner Brenton Simpson!

The Great Australian Lawn Off – Terms and Conditions

The Great Australian Lawn Off – Terms and Conditions

Information on how to enter and the prize form part of these Terms and Conditions. Participation in this promotion is deemed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

Entry is only open to Australian residents.

Employees (and their immediate families) of the Promoter and agencies associated with this promotion are ineligible to enter. Immediate family means any of the following: spouse, ex-spouse, de-facto spouse, child or step-child (whether natural or by adoption), parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, brother, sister, step-brother, step-sister or 1st cousin.

The Great Australian Lawn Off Promotion commences on 1/9/2020 and ends at 11:59 pm AEDT on 25/1/2021 (“Promotional Period”).

Starting in September, Lawn Solutions will run 5 individual lawn competitions, running every month until the final competition announcement on Australia Day.

Competitions Outline

  • September – Best Pets and Lawn ($500 Bunnings Voucher + Lawn Solutions Prize Pack*)

Commences at 10am on 1/09/20 – Ends at 11:59 pm AEDT on 29/09/20 – Winner announced at 10am on 30/09/20.

  • October – Best Spring Renovation ($500 Bunnings Voucher + Lawn Solutions Prize Pack*)

Commences at 10am on 1/10/20 – Ends at 11:59 pm AEDT on 30/10/20 – Winner announced at 10am on 31/10/20.

  • November – Best Landscaped Lawn ($500 Bunnings Voucher + Lawn Solutions Prize Pack*)

Commences at 10am on 1/11/20 – Ends at 11:59 pm AEDT on 29/11/20 – Winner announced at 10am on 30/11/20.

  • December – Best Christmas Lawn Display ($1,500 Bunnings Voucher + Lawn Solutions Prize Pack*)

Commences at 10am on 1/12/20 – Ends at 11:59 pm AEDT on 22/12/20 – Winner announced at 10am on 23/12/20.

  • January – The Best Aussie Lawn on Australia Day ($2,000 Bunnings Voucher + Lawn Solutions Prize Pack*)

Commences at 10am on 1/01/21 – Ends at 11:59 pm AEDT on 25/01/21 – Winner announced at 10am on 26/0/21 (Australia Day)

*Lawn Solutions Prize Pack includes $100 worth of LSA Merchandise and Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser.

To enter, individuals must, during the Promotional Period, comment within the competition post with a photo of their own lawn. All entrants must be following the Lawn Solutions Australia Facebook page to enter – https://www.facebook.com/lawnsolutionsaustralia/

The Promoter reserves the right, at any time, to verify the validity of entries and entrants (including an entrant’s identity, age and place of residence) and reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who the Promoter has reason to believe has breached any of these Terms and Conditions, tampered with the entry process or engaged in any unlawful or other improper misconduct calculated to jeopardise fair and proper conduct of the promotion. Errors and omissions may be accepted at the Promoter’s discretion. Failure by the Promoter to enforce any of its rights at any stage does not constitute a waiver of those rights. The Promoter’s legal rights to recover damages or other compensation from such an offender are reserved.

Only one (1) entry permitted per person, per monthly competition. Separate entries each month will be required in order to be entered into that corresponding months competition.

If there is a dispute as to the identity of an entrant, the Promoter reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine the identity of the entrant.

The judging will take place at the Promoter’s office, 270 Princes Highway, Jaspers Brush NSW 2535 on the dates outlined above. The judges may select additional reserve entries which they determine to be the next best, and record them in order, in case of an invalid entry or ineligible entrant.

The winner will be notified in writing and their name will be published online at https://www.facebook.com/lawnsolutionsaustralia/

This is a game of skill and chance plays no part in determining the winner. Each entry will be individually judged based on creative merit attaining to the specific monthly competition entered.

The Promoter’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

The best valid entry, as determined by the judges, will win the prize allocated for that particular month as outlined above.

If for any reason the winner does not take / redeem the prize by the time stipulated by the Promoter, then the prize will be forfeited.

If the prize (or part of the prize) is unavailable, the Promoter, in its discretion, reserves the right to substitute the prize (or that part of the prize) with a prize to the equal value and/or specification.

Total prize pool value is $5,500. Prize, or any unused portion of the prize, is not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash, unless otherwise specified.

As a condition of entering this promotion, each entrant licenses and grants the Promoter, its affiliates and sub-licensees a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable, and sub-licensable right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish and display their entry for any purpose, including but not limited to future promotional, marketing or publicity purposes, in any media, without compensation, restriction on use, attribution or liability.

Entrants consent to the Promoter using their name, likeness, image and/or voice in the event they are a winner (including photograph, film and/or recording of the same) in any media for an unlimited period without remuneration for the purpose of promoting this promotion (including any outcome), and promoting any products manufactured, distributed and/or supplied by the Promoter.

If this promotion is interfered with in any way or is not capable of being conducted as reasonably anticipated due to any reason beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter, including but not limited to technical difficulties, unauthorised intervention or fraud, the Promoter reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to the fullest extent permitted by law (a) to disqualify any entrant; or (b) to modify, suspend, terminate or cancel the promotion, as appropriate.

Any cost associated with accessing the promotional website is the entrant’s responsibility and is dependent on the Internet service provider used.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits, excludes or modifies or purports to limit, exclude or modify the statutory consumer guarantees as provided under the Competition and Consumer Act (Cth), as well as any other implied warranties under the ASIC Act (Cth) or similar consumer protection laws in the States and Territories of Australia (“Non-Excludable Guarantees”). Except for any liability that cannot by law be excluded, including the Non-Excludable Guarantees, the Promoter (including its respective officers, employees and agents) excludes all liability (including negligence), for any personal injury; or any loss or damage (including loss of opportunity); whether direct, indirect, special or consequential, arising in any way out of the promotion.

Except for any liability that cannot by law be excluded, including the Non-Excludable Guarantees, the Promoter (including its respective officers, employees and agents) is not responsible for and excludes all liability (including negligence), for any personal injury; or any loss or damage (including loss of opportunity); whether direct, indirect, special or consequential, arising in any way out of: (a) any technical difficulties or equipment malfunction (whether or not under the Promoter’s control); (b) any theft, unauthorised access or third party interference; (c) any entry or prize claim that is late, lost, altered, damaged or misdirected (whether or not after their receipt by the Promoter) due to any reason beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter; (d) any variation in prize value to that stated in these Terms and Conditions; (e) any tax liability incurred by a winner or entrant; or (f) use of a prize.

The Promoter collects personal information (“PI”) in order to conduct the promotion and may, for this purpose, disclose such PI to third parties, including but not limited to agents, contractors, service providers and prize suppliers. Entry is conditional on providing this PI. The Promoter will also use and handle PI as set out in its Privacy Policy, which can be viewed at https://lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au/privacy-policy/. In addition to any use that may be outlined in the Promoter’s Privacy Policy, the Promoter may, for an indefinite period, unless otherwise advised, use the PI for promotional, marketing, publicity, research and profiling purposes, including sending electronic messages or telephoning the entrant. The Privacy Policy also contains information about how entrants may opt out, access, update or correct their PI, how entrants may complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles or any other applicable law and how those complaints will be dealt with. All entries become the property of the Promoter. The Promoter may disclose entrant’s personal information overseas, see the Promoter’s Privacy Policy for more details

The Promoter is Lawn Solutions Australia Group Pty Ltd (ABN 15 161 332 323 13) of 270 Princes Hwy, Jaspers Brush NSW 2535.

Zoysia Grass in Focus

Zoysia Grass

Pronunciation

Zoi see uh

Zoysia grass are warm season grasses that are native to South East Asia and the pacific region. These grasses are commonly known to be highly drought and wear tolerant.

Zoysia as a turf grass type has several different species, all of which carry very different characteristics and aesthetics to the next. While they still do carry the name botanically in a lot of marketing material, it is important to understand the difference when looking at the different options available.

zoysia grass

Key Characteristics

Most Zoysia grass types are well-adapted to tropical, sub-tropical and warm temperate climates in Australia.

  • Establish slower than most other grass types.
  • Zoysia grass have a relatively fine leaf up to 5mm wide and 40-50mm long which is soft to touch.
  • Zoysia grasses spread both by stolons and by rhizomes and are noted for their relatively slow growth rate which reduces the frequency that mowing is needed.

What are the main zoysia turf types?

Zoysia macrantha

Zoysia macrantha’s are the only zoysia which are considered Australian natives and are commonly referred to as prickly couch. Some examples of macrantha which are available on the Australian market are Nara Native Zoysia and Stockade Native. Macrantha generally performs better in the warmer climates of Australia and in full-sun areas. Macrantha’s leaf shape and colour varies depending on the variety but are medium to coarse and light green in colour. The wear tolerance and shade tolerance of Zoysia macrantha’s are inferior to the other types of zoysia.

Zoysia japonica

Zoysia japonica originates and is native to the coastal grasslands of South East Asia. Japonica’s have been introduced and used as a popular choice for home lawns and public areas around the world. The common types of Zoysia japonica which are available around Australia are Zoysia Australis, Platinum Zoysia and Empire Zoysia. Japonica’s have a medium leaf texture, high shade and good wear tolerance.

Zoysia matrella

Like japonica’s, Zoysia matrella’s are native to South East Asia. Unlike their Japonica counterparts, matrella’s have a very fine leaf and have high shade tolerance. Until just recently, matrella’s were primarily used in golf, but now their qualities have proven they are perfect for home lawns and commercial applications. They require less mowing, less fertiliser, less water and have higher density than the other zoysia’s. Matrella’s that are on the Australian market include Sir Grange (Zeon Zoysia) and Shadetuff. Zoysia matrella can be successfully installed all around Australia and make for a fantastic lawn both domestically and commercially.

sir grange zoysia

Important points for installation of zoysia grass

  • Install the grass as soon as possible after delivery
  • Lay on a bed of at least 150mm quality sandy loam (high sand content is essential) or washed sand
  • Use Lawn Solutions Australia Lawn Launcher at label rates to give the grass a head start and retain moisture in the new soil bed
  • Roll to compact new turf to improve contact with the soil
  • For the first 14 days, irrigate the new lawn for at least 40 mins every day
  • After the initial 14 days post installation, you can reduce irrigation to every second day for the next 14 days
  • Reduce irrigation once established and water only when the grass appears dry
  • Minimise irrigation in the cooler months to avoid your lawn getting waterlogged
  • Consult your local supplier for seasonal advice on installation timing in cooler regions

Maintenance of Zoysia Grass

Irrigation

If watering is necessary once established, water only when there are signs of the grass drying out, e.g. wilted leaves

  • Do not over water in the cooler winter months
  • If irrigation is needed, deeply soak the top 100mm of soil
  • Water early morning for improved efficiency and plant health

Mowing

Zoysia grasses, Zoysia matrella in particular, have a leaf blade that has a high silicone content, which makes it very strong. This, along with its dense vertical growth, gives grasses like Sir Grange superior surface strength and appearance.

  • Ensure that mower blades are sharp to prevent tearing of the leaf
  • Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at any one time unless dethatching
  • For best results, dethatch in late winter just before the grass comes out of dormancy
  • Remove clippings each mow to prevent thatch build-up

Fertilising

  • Fertilise between early spring and mid to late summer if required
  • It is not recommended to fertilise in autumn. Wait until spring to reapply if needed
  • Liquid iron, natural colourants, and micronutrients can be used to improve colour without the use of nitrogen-based fertilisers in autumn and winter

Weed and pest control

Most commercially available chemical weed and pest control products can be used on zoysia lawns, but it is always best to read the label and check with your Lawn Solutions Australia grower for recommended products before any application.

Sir Grange Zoysia

Lawn Solutions Australia supplies Sir Grange Zoysia which has been selectively bred for its superior drought and shade tolerance, as well as reduced need for additional nutrients. Sir Grange has been hand-selected from over 10,000 different varieties of turf, with its superior qualities making it stand out from the crowd.

Sir Grange was originally developed for the golf industry, but it was soon discovered that due to its characteristics, it would make a fantastic home lawn. Its adaptability to a variety of climates in combination with the beautiful dark green leaf has seen it become the top-selling zoysia grass in the USA.

Sir Grange Logo

Zoysia Australis

Zoysia Australis supplied by Lawn Solutions Australia members is a tough and hardy, medium-textured zoysia grass with a beautiful blue/green leaf. It’s a new zoysia variety that provides solutions for Aussie families with its ability to be installed in a wide range of areas.

zoysia australis logo

zoysia australis

Only accredited Lawn Solutions Australia turf suppliers can supply Sir Grange Zoysia and Zoysia Australis. You can find contact details for your local supplier here.

Couch Grass in Focus

Couch Grass

(Cynodon Dactylon)

Couch grass (known as Bermuda grass in the US) is a warm season grass that is native to most areas of the eastern hemisphere. These grasses are commonly known to be highly drought and wear tolerant.

A manicured couch lawn can look great in front of your home, however a bit more time and effort is required due its fast growth rate.

Key Characteristics

Couch grass thrives in full sun areas and has very strong horizontal growth. This allows it to tolerate very low mowing heights. These strong growth habits also attribute to its ability to handle high amounts of traffic, whilst enabling it to recover quicker if affected by wear and stress. This makes couch turf suitable for large areas such as sports fields, golf courses and parks or recreational areas.

These grasses can grow in a range of soil types, from sandy soils to light clays and prefer a pH between 6 and 7.5.

Couches are not one of the most shade tolerant turf types, needing in most cases a bare minimum of 5-6 hours direct sunlight a day. Newer varieties however, like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda (couch) have shown significantly better shade tolerance than existing couches varieties.

Couch grasses have a great ability to recover from wear, with underground stems called rhizomes to repair from as well as aboveground stems called stolons.

Important points for installation of couch grass

Install the grass as soon as possible after delivery

  • Lay on a bed of 50 to 100mm of quality turf underlay
  • Launcher fertiliser is not recommended during the peak growing season (Sept to March)
  • Roll to compact new turf to improve contact with the soil
  • Soak the newly laid turf thoroughly for 10 to 14 days after installation or until fully established
  • Reduce irrigation once established and water only when the grass appears dry
  • Mow as soon as the grass has rooted in to promote lateral growth. This could be as early as 3 to 5 days after installation during the warmer months.

Couch Grass Maintenance

Irrigation

Couch grasses naturally have a good drought tolerance. TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda in particular is an extremely drought tolerant couch variety, requiring considerably less water to maintain acceptable growth and appearance. TifTuf is the only couch grass, or grass of any type for that matter in Australia to have been awarded the Smart Approved WaterMark for its low water requirements.

  • If watering is necessary once established, water only when there are signs of the grass drying out, as excess irrigation can hinder the grass rather than help
  • Do not overwater in the cooler months
  • If irrigation is needed, water deeply to soak the top 100mm of soil
  • Water early morning for improved efficiency and plant health

Mowing

Couch turf’s growth habit allows it to be mown at a range of heights. They can be kept as low as 4mm or let to grow out to 36mm depending on the usage requirements. If a couch lawn is left for long periods without mowing, caution must be taken not to take too much leaf at once.

  • Ensure mower blades are sharp
  • Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf at any one time unless dethatching
  • Mowing frequency can be reduced with controlled irrigation and fertiliser
  • Couch grasses are best kept between 9mm and 36mm in home lawns; below 25mm is recommended for best appearance
  • If excess scalping occurs, increase mowing height, and allow leaf to regrow to desired level
  • If needed, dethatch in early spring for best results

Fertilising

Couch grasses perform their best when fertilised regularly throughout the year. It is important to consider whole of plant health when applying fertiliser and to avoid the over-stimulation of leaf growth with excessive nitrogen, particularly during the warmer months.

  • Liquid iron, natural colourants and other micronutrients can improve colour without the use of nitrogen-based fertilisers
  • Add nutrients in measured amounts and monitor growth and health of the grass before reapplying

TifTuf was specifically bred to require less inputs than other warm season grasses. TifTuf requires less than 1/3 the amount of fertiliser to maintain healthy growth and appearance.

bunnings turf

Weed and pest control

The rapid coverage and dense undergrowth of couch turf, along with its low input requirements and winter growth activity mean that couch can compete quite successfully with weeds and other turf grass species that may try to invade your lawn.

Couch grass also resists several pests and diseases but may need some assistance from time to time. A couch lawn can be treated with most commonly available chemicals that are suitable for couch grasses. Ensure application directions are followed and if unsure, it is always a good idea to check with your Lawn Solutions Australia supplier for chemical compatibility before use.

What is the best couch grass?

Lawn Solutions Australia supplies TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda (couch grass) which is the only grass in Australia to be Smart WaterMark Approved for drought tolerance. This makes it the best choice in couch turf for our harsh Australian climate.

tiftuf hybrid bemuda

Check out trial results here confirming the superior traits that TifTuf possesses.

Only accredited Lawn Solutions Australia turf suppliers can supply TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda. You can find contact details for your local supplier here.

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Buffalo Grass in Focus

What is Buffalo Grass?

(Stenotaphrum secundatum)

Buffalo grass (known as St. Augustine in the US) is a warm season grass that is native to areas of North and South America, parts of Africa and the Caribbean. Commonly known as soft leaf buffalo in Australia.

Buffalo grasses are a great all-round turf variety with a number of key strengths that make them an ideal variety for many Australian backyards.

Buffalo grasses have been developed over the years from the scratchy older types to the soft leaf buffalo’s that are commonly supplied today, like Australia’s most popular variety Sir Walter DNA Certified.

Sir Walter Buffalo DNA Certified turf

What are the Key Characteristics of Buffalo Grass?

These grasses can grow in a range of soil types, from sandy soils to light clays and at a range of pH levels between 5 and 8.5.

Buffalo turfs are one of the most shade tolerant turf types, with the ability to survive in areas receiving as little 40% sunlight, or 3-4 hours direct sunlight a day.

They also have a good tolerance of salinity and make for a great option in coastal areas.

Buffalo grasses only have above-ground stems known as stolons to establish from. Their stolons are very robust and hardy providing these grasses with a good wear tolerance. They will however be a little bit slower to repair than varieties like kikuyu or couch that also have underground stems called rhizomes to repair from as well as stolons.

lawn stripes

How Buffalo Grass is Grown

Buffalo grasses are grown on turf farms through the establishment of vegetative material. When buffalo turf is harvested, strips known as ribbons are left behind in order for the turf paddock to re-establish again for harvesting. Buffalo turf cannot be established through seed as the seed heads that are produced are sterile and seed production is minimal. When looking to repair or patch a buffalo lawn, it will need to be established through vegetative material, so spreading of the runners, or by installing some more solid turf.

Buffalo turf can be installed year-round Australia wide. It establishes quickly over the warmer months but can take a little longer if you are installing in winter.

Important points for installation of buffalo grass

  • Install the grass as soon as possible after delivery
  • Lay on a bed of 100mm of quality turf underlay
  • Use Lawn Solutions Australia Lawn Launcher at label rates to give the grass a head start and retain moisture in the new soil bed
  • Roll to compact new turf to improve contact with the soil
  • Soak the newly laid turf thoroughly for 10-14 days after installation or until established
  • Reduce irrigation once established and water only when the grass appears to be dry
  • Minimise irrigation in the cooler months to avoid your lawn getting waterlogged
  • Consult your local supplier for seasonal advice on installation timing in cooler regions

laying lawn

How to Maintain Buffalo Grass

Irrigation

it is important to be mindful of correct and efficient irrigation practices to maintain a healthy buffalo lawn.

  • If watering is necessary once established, water only when there are signs of the grass drying out, e.g. wilted or curled leaves
  • Do not water in the cooler winter months unless there are signs of the above
  • If irrigation is needed, deeply soak the top 100mm of soil (generally 30 minutes with a standard sprinkler will suffice)
  • Water early morning for improved efficiency and plant health

How to Mow Buffalo Grass

Buffalo grass can be mowed between 20 and 60mm. They are best mown with a rotary mower, but a cylinder mower can also produce fantastic results. Removing clippings is encouraged; however, mulch mowing is fine as long as clippings are not thick enough to inhibit the lawn getting sunlight. Over winter it is recommended to leave your lawn slightly longer.

  • Ensure that mower blades are sharp to prevent tearing of the leaf
  • Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at any one time unless dethatching
  • Dethatch if required in late spring for best results
  • It is recommended to remove clippings each mow to prevent thatch build up

How to Fertilise Buffalo Grass

If you want your buffalo grass to remain healthy and have a nice, deep green colour, it is best to fertilise a few times per year.

  • Apply slow release granular fertiliser at a rate of 20-25g/m2 or 2-2.5kg/100m2
  • For best results, fertilise at least 3 times per year. Important dates are late spring, mid to late summer and late autumn
  • Always irrigate after applying fertiliser
  • On new lawns, apply fertiliser after you have cut your lawn at least once
  • To best maintain year-round colour, fertilise in late autumn and apply ColourGuard PLUS at 10 to 12-week intervals until spring

Lawn Solutions Fertiliser

How to Treat Weeds and Pests in Buffalo Grass

Many buffalo grasses like Sir Walter DNA Certified have fantastic natural resistance to most pests and weeds. To keep weeds at bay, it is important to fertilise your lawn regularly to keep it healthy. This will ensure it is sufficiently dense to block weeds out, and high nitrogen levels will also keep most weeds away.

To ensure your lawn remains pest free, always keep an eye out for signs of infestation and be proactive with preventative pesticides, such as Acelepryn GR.

Most domestically available chemical weed and pest control products can be used on buffalo lawns (with the exception of some Weed ‘n’ Feeds), but it is always best to read the label and check with your Lawn Solutions Australia grower for recommended products before any application.

Some common broadleaf herbicides contain Dicamba which is not safe to use on buffalo lawns. All Purpose Weed Control and Bin Die Herbicide contain the active Bromoxynil which is safe to use on buffalo grass.

What is the Best Buffalo Grass?

If you think buffalo grass is the right choice for your lawn, you cannot go past Sir Walter DNA Certified. Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo Grass is the best buffalo grass available and is bred right here in Australia. Sir Walter DNA Certified has been the number one choice for Aussie backyards for over 20 years. Look out for the ‘Original Breeder Guarantee’ to ensure you are getting the genuine Sir Walter DNA Certified.

SirWalter-DNA_Original-Breeders

Only accredited Lawn Solutions Australia turf suppliers can supply Sir Walter DNA Certified with the Original Breeder Guarantee. You can find contact details for your local supplier here.

How to holiday at home!

By Charlie Albone

With the current health climate and concerns about travelling it makes sense to stay home and enjoy your own house, garden and if possible local parks during the holidays, but what if your garden is more overgrown jungle than picturesque oasis?  Well a mini makeover may be what it needs to get it ready for you, the family and the holiday period.

Planning the work is one of the most important steps and there are a few things to consider, you don’t want a half finished garden come holiday time so give yourself a few weeks’ buffer for bad weather and other possible mishaps such as a delay on products getting delivered.

Being at home come the end of your garden makeover is also great as it gives you time to establish the new plants however no matter how hard wearing your lawn variety is it needs to be established long before the introduction of busy feet to perform to its best so give your new lawn plenty of time to put down roots and grow in well.

Planning for your holiday at home

In the planning stage try and keep to low maintenance plants and materials, Low maintenance plants will give you more time to enjoy the space with loved ones.  Focus your planting on foliage-based plants for year-round interest and then you are not relying on flowers to keep your attention as these can be fickle and might only bloom right at the end of you at home period.  Hardy succulents such as Crassula, Euphorbia and Cotyledons give lovely form and colour and can handle a multitude of sun or semi shade and combine well with a variety of plant palettes.

When it comes to materials hard wearing choices such as porcelain paving over natural stone will mean less fear of staining from muddy boots or dare I say a split glass of red.  When giving your garden some love to improve the appearance you don’t need to completely change the whole lot – a few tweaks such as renovating or replacing the lawn or cleaning the paving may be all it needs to turn it into a welcoming space.

A holiday at home needs a good lawn!

Every garden does need a good lawn and more so during a holiday period, they are perfect for a relaxing stretch out in the sun or for watching the kids run around on. Selecting the right lawn for your garden is also important, do you need a hardy ‘TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda’ that can take boots and balls?  Are you after the prestige look of the soft fine leaf of Sir Grange Zoysia for a sunning session or are you after a good all-rounder that can take a little less sun like Sir Walter Buffalo?  Getting the right grass is a great way to set the tone for the rest of the holiday season.

Lawn is a great entertainer for kids but you should also consider an area for adults to relax in, try to think about all the seasons when planning this area, you’ll need sun protection from a roof or retractable cover such as an awning or umbrella in the warm months and then maybe space for a fire pit area for the cooler months.   Surround the area with plants to increase the feeling of being outside, this really improves the overall look as it softens and help give the impression your ‘away’ from home.

Lighting

The addition of lighting to your garden is a great way to improve the ambience of the area and make it feel like a whole new space as the sun goes down, never have a light at eye level as you risk the lighting feeling uncomfortable.  Instead wash light across your hedging and lawns to create shadows and interest and then pick out key features to up or down light for some extra drama.

Your last consideration should be to plan to not be there, it’s great that you can spend so much time in the garden right now or during the holiday periods but creating a garden that is sustainable when you cannot give it as much time will lead to you wanting to be in it more as it will look better for it.  Simple options include picking suitable plants for the aspect, soil type and climate.

Create wicking veggie garden beds (those with a built in water reservoir to combat drought and less irrigation), install simple and effective drip irrigation systems both to your garden beds and lawn areas so you don’t need to panic if you can’t spend the time watering and keep up with basic maintenance like mulching and fertilising.

How grass grows | Why is it green?

Let’s get back to some grass fundamentals and look at how grass grows and why it is green.

First, we need to look at what grass actually is.

What is grass?

Grass is a common name for a large family of plants called Gramineae. Without going into too much of the biology of these plants, they have a simple structure with roots that grow into the soil, stems that grow from the base of the plant known as a crown and from these stems leaves extend that consist of a sheath and blade.

Some grasses creep along the ground with stems known as stolons and some also have stems called rhizomes that grow below the ground.

Click here to learn more about grass structure both above and below the surface.

How grass grows

Just like trees and other plants, grass converts energy from sunlight into sugar through the process of photosynthesis.

This energy is used to convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose. Carbon dioxide is absorbed through the stomata in the leaf and water is mainly derived from uptake in the roots.

Glucose is used through the plant for growth, while oxygen, a by-product of this process, is released into the atmosphere.

What about Chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll molecules are held within cells called chloroplasts. These cells will produce chlorophyll when light is present.

When grass absorbs light energy, the chlorophyll molecule goes into a high energy state, providing chemical energy for plant metabolism.

Without Chlorophyll, the grass would not be able to capture the light, so it would be unable to photosynthesise.

What makes grass green?

Grass appears green because Chlorophyll absorbs light at two wavelengths, both red and blue, while reflecting green. If grass is kept in complete darkness it will turn white and die.

Both magnesium and nitrogen form parts of the chlorophyll molecule, so if either of these are deficient, your grass can appear very pale green or even yellow.

What does lawn fertiliser do?

The key nutrients found in common fertilisers are referred to as NPK. Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.

If there is too little nitrogen, not enough chlorophyll will be produced. Too much though, and you end up with thin cell walls and poor root development.

A lack of Phosphorus reduces cell division leading to a build-up of chlorophyll, so it may appear dark green, but the grass will be weak with limited growth.

Potassium helps with the opening and closing of the stomata, so if deficient, the water content of the leaf can be reduced, which also restricts photosynthesis.

This is why regular fertilising with a balanced NPK fertiliser like Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser, is an important part of lawn care.

How can I keep my grass green?

Along with regular lawn care, including slow release granular fertilisers, you can also look at applying iron or pigment-based products like ColourGuard Plus to improve your lawns colour. It is important however, to make sure that any underlying health issues with the lawn are addressed so as to not mask the problem. This can include problems relating to nutrient deficiencies, soil compaction, disease, or environmental factors.

If you are unsure what is wrong with your lawn, contact your local Lawn Solutions Australia turf supplier for advice.

Turf Talk – August 2020

Turf Talk – Australia’s newest and most comprehensive turf magazine.

TurfTalk is a free quarterly magazine and distributed to over 3000 landscape and turf professionals.

Turf Talk is suitable for all turf professionals, from turf growers to landscapers, golf courses and sports ground curators, to government and related industry organisations.

Turf Talk is here to share with you the latest information on the turf industry, the exciting developments in turf research and to keep you up to date with everything you need to know about turf.

Some topics in this issue include:

  • AAMI Park Celebrates 10 Years
  • Caboolture Golf Club
  • New turf varieties for golf market | Trinity & Primo Zoysia
  • International Greenkeepers For Hire
  • ASTMA Update

Click here to download a pdf copy.

For more information:

Phone – 1300 883 711

Email – [email protected]

How to install a new lawn

Install your own turf – It’s easy!

Prepare your soil for new turf

Kill off any existing vegetation using glyphosate or a similar non-selective herbicide. You may need 2 applications to ensure all existing vegetation is completely eradicated. Turn over the existing base and remove any excess vegetation that has been sprayed out.

Once you have a reasonable amount of underlay levelled (we recommend at least 100mm), apply a starter fertiliser, this will encourage deeper root growth and really support your lawn in the establishment phase. Note: Sir Grange and TifTuf customers please contact your local Lawn Solutions Australia member for installation and maintenance recommendations.

Lay turf in a staggered ‘brickwork’ formation

Start by laying slabs or rolls from the furthest point to the entry of the yard and work your way backwards so you are not working over freshly laid turf. Place your rolls or slabs of turf around the perimeter of the area and lay between the perimeter. Stagger the joints in a brickwork fashion to avoid erosion and butt the turf closely together to avoid gaps as this is where your turf can dry out and cause a patchy lawn.

Cut and shape turf to suit your area

When cutting is required use a spade, sharp knife or shears, but don’t throw these off cuts away. When you have finished laying you will probably find there are a few unusual spaces to fill and these bits will come in handy.

Watering your new lawn

Water your new lawn immediately after installation. You should be watering every day (2 or 3 times a day in hot conditions) for the first 3 weeks, before reducing the amount to once every 2 or 3 days in the following weeks. Your first mow should be after 3 or 4 weeks, ensure slabs/rolls have attached to the soil.

Lawn Diseases to Look Out for in Winter

Climate conditions in some locations can unfortunately provide the ideal breeding ground for particular lawn diseases. Generally, these diseases develop due to excessive shade, compacted soil, poor drainage, and lack of sufficient lawn nutrition. In winter, some of these problems worsened due to shorter daylight hours and fungal disease issues can quickly develop.

Here are Some of the Common Turf Diseases that can Occur in Winter:

Small brown patches with an outer ring? It could be…

Winter Fusarium (Microdochium nivale)

Winter Fusarium symptoms most commonly present themselves in the cooler months between May and September in wet conditions. It is primarily a cool season turf variety disease, but it has been seen in warm season varieties as well.

Winter Fusarium appears as orange/brown patches less than 5cm or so in diameter but can continue to enlarge to 20cm if left untreated. Smoke like rings can also occur on the outer edge of the patch with a water-soaked appearance.

Treatment

Remove thatch in spring and use a balanced, high nitrogen fertiliser. Avoid late afternoon/early evening watering. Treat with Mancozeb or Tombstone Fungicide. Commercially available options includes Heritage Maxx.

winter fusarium

Red threads forming in a patch of your lawn? It could be…

Red Thread (Laetisaria fuciformis)

Red Thread is a fungal disease that often occurs during humid conditions. The first signs of this disease are small yellow/brown patches with small red threads or needles and pink soft mycelium fluff. The disease spreads to form larger areas. Small soaked patches in spring are another symptom. This disease is common in lawns low in nitrogen.

Treatment

A commercial option is Heritage Maxx Fungicide. Then apply a nitrogen-based fertiliser.

red thread

Dollar sized spots on the lawn? Straw spots on the leaf blades? It could be…

Dollar Spot (Sclerotinia homeocarpa)

Dollar Spot is a very common fungal disease and, in some areas, can develop at any time during the year. As its name suggests, the appearance of this disease is usually identifiable as dollar sized spots of discoloured grass appearing within your lawn. Up close, the discoloured leaves will have straw coloured lesions with red/brown edges to them. If left to spread the spots will get larger and form bigger patches of affected grass.

Another identifying feature of Dollar Spot is the web like fine threads that form through the leaves of your lawn on colder mornings.

Treatment

Remove the thatch layer in spring and use a high nitrogen fertiliser. Avoid evening watering. Treat with Mancozeb or Tombstone Fungicide. A commercially available fungicide for treatment is Banner Maxx.

dollar spot

Fungicide Treatments

Mancozeb – Mancozeb is a trusted protectant fungicide that controls a wide range of diseases like powdery mildew, dollar spot and rust. For best results, a complete spray of the entire lawn is recommended.

mancozeb

Tombstone FungicideTombstone Fungicide provides systemic and contact disease control, both on a preventative and curative basis, controlling Anthracnose, Brown Patch, Winter Fusarium, Leptosphaerulina, Curvularia and Dollar Spot in lawn situations.

Heritage Maxx –Heritage Maxx control and prevention of a broad spectrum to control turf diseases including – Pythium, Anthracnose, Brown Patch and Spring Dead Spot.

heritage maxx

How to Avoid Fungal Diseases in Your Lawn

Aeration

Loosening of the soil to remove compaction and improve drainage. Aeration will improve your lawns ability to absorb water, nutrient and oxygen which will help your lawn stay healthier.

Fertilising

Overapplying fertiliser or underapplying to nutrient deficient soils can promote some fungal diseases. Check with your local Lawn Solutions Australia turf supplier for the specific requirements for your turf variety. Make sure that you stick to a fertilising program that provides your grass with the nutrient it needs in regular intervals throughout the year.

Remove Thatch

Over time your lawn can develop a thick layer of thatch, dead organic matter, excessive roots, and stems within the profile of your grass. Dethatching prevents waterlog in your roots and allows proper drainage; this will help to prevent the risk of fungal issues.

Irrigation and Shade Management

Avoid over-watering, particularly in shaded areas. Shade prevents the quick evaporation of dew or surface water and continued dampness will encourage fungal disease. When watering, do so early in the morning not at night, to allow the area to dry during the day. Water deeply, but less frequently, to encourage stronger roots and to allow the water to absorb properly.

Heavy dew and prolonged periods of dampness are common in winter, so it is important to increase sunlight access where possible to help the dew evaporate throughout the day. Aeration and improved drainage will also help with these conditions.

For more information on specific fungal diseases and how to treat them, contact your local Lawn Solutions Australia turf supplier.

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