Sarah, Author at Lawn Solutions Australia

How to Plan a Lawn Care Schedule

Posted on March 30, 2023November 15, 2024 by Sarah

Maintaining a beautiful lawn doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right plan and a little effort, anyone can achieve a lush and healthy lawn that’s the envy of the neighbourhood. That’s why we’ve created an easy-to-follow lawn care schedule that simplifies the process and breaks it down into manageable steps. In this blog, we’ll outline the essential tasks for each season, including fertilising, watering, mowing, and more. So, let’s dive in!

Quick find:

Autumn Lawn Care
Winter Lawn Care
Spring Lawn Care
Summer Lawn Care

What lawn care activities should I do in Autumn?

Autumn is a beautiful season that brings cool weather and vibrant foliage. It’s also an important time for lawn care, as the temperatures are still warm enough for active growth and ideal conditions for grass to grow and recover from the stresses of summer.

Fertilising in Autumn will help provide your lawn with the nutrients it needs to repair from the warm summer temperatures and will help the lawn stay healthier heading into the cooler winter weather. For fertilising, we recommend using our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser.

Autumn is also an ideal time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide like Oxafert. When using Oxafert, it is best to time your applications just before the temperatures decline in your area, just before seasonal weed seeds germinate. This will usually occur in mid to late Autumn for most regions.

If you are wanting to help extend the colour of your lawn throughout the cooler winter months, we also recommend using an iron-based product like Iron Guard Plus.

Regular mowing throughout Autumn will also be essential to help ensure your lawn stays healthy heading into the cooler months.

For more Autumn lawn care tips and advice, check out our Autumn Lawn Care blog here.

How do I look after my lawn in Winter?

Although your lawn will have slowed down in growth over Winter, you can still do some activities to ensure it stays the healthiest it can be during this time.

Over Winter, you shouldn’t need to water your lawn too much, if at all. In most areas, rainfall will cover your lawns watering needs.

If you notice any weeds coming through your lawn, treating them as they appear is best.

Throughout Winter, it is also recommended to increase your lawns mowing height up by a notch or two on your mower. This will help your lawn better absorb sunlight and nutrients while aiding the lawn’s ability to block out weeds better.

During the cooler months, warm-season grasses are expected to lose some colour. The degree of colour loss will vary according to the aspect of the lawn and your climate. However, if you want to help combat this colour loss, we recommend using a lawn pigment like ColourGuard Plus to help give the lawn a green-up.

For more information, check out our Winter Lawn Care blog here.

What lawn care activities can I do this Spring?

Spring is a time of renewal and growth, including your lawn. As the weather warms up and the lawn starts to actively grow again, it is time to think about spring lawn care.

If your soil has become compacted, now is an ideal time to aerate your lawn. You can either look at using a garden fork or a corer which will remove a plug from the soil, helping increase oxygen movement, improve water absorption and more.

Now is also an important time to apply a fertiliser to help give the lawn a boost to help speed up new growth and establish strong roots from summer. If you want to fertilise in early Spring before the temperatures warm up, using a liquid fertiliser like Exceed is best. However, if you want to wait a few more weeks for the warmer temperatures to kick in first to apply a fertiliser, you can use a slow-release granular fertiliser like our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser. These fertilisers will slowly release nutrients to your lawn, providing a sustained boost over a longer period.

Spring is also an ideal time to use a pre-emergent herbicide like Oxafert to help prevent seasonal weeds like Summer Grass and Crabgrass from growing in your lawn. It is best to time your application just before the temperatures get warmer in your area. For most regions, this is around early to mid-spring.

Spring is also the perfect time to do a lawn renovation, especially if your lawn has an excessive thatch build-up, is suffering from soil compaction, or needs levelling. Completing a lawn renovation will also help bring out the best in your lawn. If you want to do a spring lawn renovation, check out our blog and video series for more information here.

How can I care for my lawn in Summer?

As summer’s warm and sunny days approach, it is important to keep up with your regular lawn maintenance as it continues to grow.

Regular mowing is always important. However, your mowing intervals will increase throughout summer to keep up with accelerated growth. As a rule of thumb, it is best to mow regularly enough so that only one-third of the leaf is removed with each pass.

If your lawn looks dry in-between rainfall, you may need to water your lawn. Some tell-tale signs that your lawn needs water can include:

Dry or wilting leaf
When walking on your lawn if a footprint is left behind, it is likely your lawn is lacking water
During hot weather, if it is dry and crusty

When watering, it is best to water for longer less frequently. It is also best to water in the morning before the heat of the day to prevent heat related evaporation. Avoid watering in the afternoon/night watering to help prevent the lawn from sitting damp overnight.

For more lawn care activities you can do this summer, check out our Summer Lawn Care blog here.

For more seasonal lawn care advice, check out our lawn care spinner here.

lawn solutions lawn fertiliser — Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser

oxafert pre emergent — Oxafert Pre-Emergent

colourguard plus 100ml — ColourGuard Plus 100ml Concentrate

exceed liquid fertiliser — Exceed Liquid Fertiliser Concentrate

exceed liquid fertiliser hose on — Exceed Liquid Fertiliser Hose-On

all purpose weed control — All Purpose Weed Control

The Smell of Freshly Cut Grass

Posted on March 28, 2023November 15, 2024 by Sarah

The smell of freshly cut grass is a distinct aroma that many people find pleasant and refreshing. It is often associated with warm weather, outdoor activities, and the onset of spring or summer. But what exactly causes this distinct scent?

What causes the freshly cut grass scent?

The smell of freshly cut grass is a complex combination of chemicals that are released when grass is cut or damaged. The main culprit responsible for the smell is a group of chemicals called Green Leaf Volatiles (GLV’s). GVL’s are a mixture of oxygenated hydrocarbons, including methanol, acetaldehyde, ethanol, and acetone. These chemicals are produced by plants as a response to stress, such as being cut or chewed by insects.

When grass is cut, the GLVs are released into the air and mix with other compounds, such as terpenes and alcohols. This creates the unique scent we know as “freshly cut grass”. The specific combination of chemicals that make up the scent can vary depending on the type of grass, the time of day, and other environmental factors.

What do GVL’s do for grass?

When these chemicals are released, they help stimulate new cells to the area for a faster repair. Other chemicals released act as an antibiotic to help limit fungal growth and bacterial infection.

Do all grasses produce the same scent?

Interestingly, not all species of grass produce the same smell when cut. For example, Couch grasses has a much stronger scent than Buffalo grasses. Fescue grasses can have a more pungent scent. Similarly, the time of day can also affect the strength of the scent, as more GLVs are produced in the morning when the grass is still wet with dew.

Why do grasses produce this scent?

The release of GLV’s is a defence mechanism for the grass. When the grass is cut, it is essentially injured. The release of these compounds is a way for the grass to signal to other plants in the area that it has been damaged.

Why do humans like the smell of freshly cut grass?

Beyond its biological function, the smell of freshly cut grass also has psychological benefits.

The reason why we find the smell of fresh cut grass so pleasing is not entirely clear. Some scientists believe that the smell is a natural response to the chemicals that are released when the grass is cut. These chemicals are similar to those found in other plants and fruits that we find pleasing, such as pine needles and citrus fruits. Others believe that the smell is associated with happy memories of childhood summers spent playing outside.

Many people find the scent calming and relaxing, and it has even been shown to have mood-boosting effects. In fact, the scent of freshly cut grass is often used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation and reduce stress.

The smell of freshly cut grass is a complex and unique aroma that is produced by the release of green leaf volatiles when grass is cut or damaged. The specific scent can vary depending on the type of grass and environmental factors. This provides both a biological function for the plant and psychological benefits for humans.

Robot Lawn Mowers

Posted on March 28, 2023November 15, 2024 by Sarah

Are you in the market for a new lawn mower? Or are you looking for an option that will provide your lawn with the best results with minimal effort? In this blog, we look at a range of robot lawn mowers that can look after your lawns mowing requirements.

What are the advantages of robot lawn mowers?

But first, let’s look at some of the benefits of using a robot lawn mower.

Time-saving – they can help you save a lot of time compared to a traditional equipment.
Convenience – with most brands and models you can program to mow at a specific time or on a selected day.
Cost-effective – While the initial cost can be higher than some traditional equipment, it can be cost-effective in the long run. They require less maintenance and energy, leading to lower operating costs over time.
Energy efficient – they are typically electric-powered, so they are more energy efficient than petrol-powered equipment.
Low maintenance – they require very little maintenance compared to other equipment.

Are there any disadvantages of using a robot lawn mower?

There can be a few disadvantages that should be considered when using a robot lawn mower.

Limited mowing area – some models are only designed to cover a small space. If you do have a larger area, you will need to look at using a model that can cover your area size. If your lawn has a steep incline, you will also need to account for this when looking at different machines.
Higher upfront costs – they will often have a higher upfront cost compared to a regular lawn mower.
Installation – installation will differ between the brand you use. Most types require the installation of a boundary line across the whole area. Setting up this boundary wire can be a bit of a labour-intensive task.
Potential for theft – they are relatively small and can be stolen easily from your property. Some will have added security measures, including alarms and GPS tracking; however, these features may not prevent theft entirely.

MoeBot S20

The MoeBot S20 is another robot mower currently available. The S20 model covers a large 2500m2 at a lower price point than other models and brands that cover a similar area size. Let’s look at some of the MoeBot S20 key features:

Will mow up to 1400m2 in 2 hours
Easy-to-use app for programming and scheduling. The app will also send you update notifications to your phone
Can set up to 5 separate working areas
25mm to 55mm adjustable cutting height
Includes instillation wire

Reviews have liked that it is at a lower price point of $1,275, compared to other models and brands that are a bit pricier. In addition, users did like that it was quiet when in use and efficient. Although some reviews did note that there were some initial issues when using the app.

Gardena Sileno Minimo 250 Robotic Lawnmower

The Gardena Soleno Minimo 250 Robotic Lawnmower is best suited for smaller lawns up to 250m2 , but has some great features for its price of $999. Some of the key features we like include:

Easy-to-use install process with the GARDENA Bluetooth app
Quiet to use
Lift sensor and PIN code protection
Delivers a clean cut
Lower price point

Reviews loved the easy set-up of this product, the ability to operate at night, and the cut it provided! Users did note that the upfront cost was a bit more than a regular mower but worth the investment. However, reviews did state that this model is not ideal for use when there are sticks or lots of leaves on the lawn.

Victa RM100 Robot Mower

The Victa RM1000 Robot Mower is another great option to consider when looking at robot mowers. Victa is an iconic and trusted Australian brand that has existed over the past 6 decades. Some of the key features of the Victa RM 100 include:

Easy to set up and run
Covers up to 600m2
60 Minutes run time
60 Minutes charge time
18cm Cutting width
20mm – 60mm adjustable cutting height

Reviews liked its programmable run time features, anti-theft alarm, and rain and bump sensors. However, one downfall of the Victa RM 100 is that it doesn’t connect to either a smartphone or have app connectivity. All programming for run times needs to be adjusted on the machine directly.

Husqvarna Automowers

Husqvarna has a great range of auto mowers at various price points. Their mowers can operate over both small and larger lawns, on both level and steep inclines, and have smart home integration, app connectivity, and more!

Husqvarna Automower 405 X

The Husqvarna Automower 405 X can mow lawns up to 600m2 and is suitable for slopes with an incline of up to 40%.

Some other key features of the 405 X Automower include:

50 Minutes typical mow time per charge
60 Minutes charge time
Height of cut 20mm – 50mm range
22cm Cutting width
Smart home integration, app-controlled and Bluetooth connectivity
Includes GPS theft tracking, alarm, lift and tilt sensor

Reviews on this product loved that the Automower could keep lawns manicured to a high standard and adjusted its mowing schedule to suit the weather conditions. Others also noted that it was well suited to difficult terrains and covered a good area size. The only downfall that consumers noted were its high price point of $2,679 RRP.

Husqvarna Automower 430 X

The Husqvarna Automower 430 X covers a larger area than the 405 X model, mowing up to 3200m2, and can mow on inclines of up to 45%. Some of the key features of the Husqvarna Automower 430 X include:

145 Minute typical mow time per charge
50 Minute charge time
Height of cut 20mm – 60mm range
24cm cutting width
Smart home integration, app-controlled and Bluetooth connectivity
Includes GPS theft tracking, alarm, lift and tilt sensors

Reviews loved that this is a reliable robot mower that covers a larger area, and cutting blades are cheap and easy to replace. Users also liked that once it was set up, it didn’t require much maintenance to keep running. However, these reviews noted that it requires some effort to install the boundary wire, but you will have to do this with most robot lawn mowers.

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

Common Fungal Diseases in Lawns

Posted on March 2, 2023November 15, 2024 by Sarah

Does your lawn have a disease, but you’re not sure what it is or how to remove it? In this blog, we look at some common lawn diseases and recommend the best ways to remove them.

Skip to

Grey Leaf Spot
Dollar Spot
Brown Patch
Fungicides

Why Do I Have Lawn Disease?

Prevention is key in stopping turf diseases from appearing. So, in most cases, we recommend addressing the cause of the disease first before applying fungicides.

Prevention and techniques to eliminate disease can include aeration, thatch removal, fertilising and watering adjustments, and shade reduction.

If your lawn’s disease persists after around two weeks of removing the cause, you may need to consider using a fungicide for removal.

Do I have Dollar Spot?

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. These form through the leaves of your lawn on colder mornings. These webs will disappear as the day warms up, but these threads are called mycelium threads and are a product of the fungal pathogen known as Sclerotinia Homoeocarpa.

Dollar Spot can occur when there is additional moisture present on warmer days and cool nights. Excessive amounts of thatch build up, poor drainage and watering your lawn too often are common factors that can result in the spots appearing.

Usually, dollar spot will go away on its own when the cause of disease has been addressed, however if it doesn’t go away on its own you can look at using a fungicide for removal.

When removing Dollar Spot, we recommend using Tombstone Fungicide.

Do I have Grey Leaf Spot

Grey Leaf Spot first appears as small brown leaf and stem lesions. These spots will then grow rapidly into round oblong spots. When these lesions mature, they will have a tan to grey colour with brown to purple borders.

To remove Grey Leaf Spot, we recommend using a fungicide like Mancozeb.

Do I Have Brown Patch?

Brown Patch is a fungal disease found in warm, wet conditions which produces brown, circular patches ranging in size from very small up to a few metres in diameter. The patches are sometimes surrounded by a grey, smoky outer ring, or sometimes there is just an outer ring surrounded by green grass in the middle. This ring is caused by mycelium fungus. Leaf blades have thin brown edges and yellow spots and lesions.

To remove Brown Patch, we recommend using Tombstone Fungicide or Heritage Maxx.

Fungicide Products

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. This makes 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

Mancozeb is 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.

Tombstone

Tombstone Fungicide is a broad-spectrum fungicide. It can be used on Lawns, Azaleas, Roses, other general ornamental garden plants.

Tombstone 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.

Whenever you are using products like these fungicides, it is always important that you follow the safety directions provided on the product and wear the recommended protective clothing. So, make sure you take some time to read the instructions in full before opening the product for application.

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

Why Does My Lawn Have Brown Patches?

Posted on February 24, 2023November 15, 2024 by Sarah

Does your lawn have brown patches? Unsure what is causing them or uncertain of the best way to help it recover? In this blog, we look at common causes of brown patches in lawns and look at the best ways to help get your lawn back in shape.

Lawn Grubs in Lawns

If you have noticed that your lawn has quickly developed brown patches that are spreading, a possible cause is lawn grubs. If you are unsure if your lawn does have grubs, we recommend doing a quick grub test. To do this, use a few drops of dishwashing liquid into a bucket and fill with water. Then pour this over the edge of an affected area.

Watch the area for around 10 minutes or so and see if any grubs rise to the surface. This is best done at dawn or dusk when they are more likely to be active.

If any grubs or caterpillars do rise to the surface we recommend using a quick knockdown product like Battle Insecticide or Baythroid Advanced for Lawns to remove what is there. To help prevent another grub attack from occurring, we recommend using a preventative insecticide, like Grub Guard Ultimate. Grub Guard Ultimate will help prevent another grub attack from occurring to the lawn up to 6 months.

How to Stop Fungal Diseases in Lawns

Are your lawns brown patches caused by disease? Often if you remove the conditions that cause lawn diseases, it will go away on its own. Some tell-tale signs that your lawn has a fungal disease are discolouration, brown and yellow patches, mushrooms and other fungal growth.

Some factors that can cause disease include soil compaction, shade, over watering, over fertilising, poor mowing habits, and weather conditions (particularly temperature and humidity).

If you have noticed a fungal disease in your lawn, try removing the cause of the disease. This can include:

Aerating your lawn to alleviate soil compaction and assist in draining away excess water.
Increase sunlight to the area where possible by pruning back any surrounding trees and shrubs.
Avoid over-watering your lawn. If you do need to water your lawn, water in the morning before the heat of the day to avoid evaporation. We also recommend avoiding watering in the afternoon/dusk to help prevent the lawn sitting damp overnight.
Mow your lawn regularly at the same height. We recommend mowing regularly enough so that only one-third is removed with each pass.

If this doesn’t assist you may need to look at using a fungicide.

How to Stop Urine Burn

Does your dog’s urine cause burn marks on your lawn? As your dog’s urine can contain a high concentrate of nitrogen, our lawns can become burnt and die off.

Here are a few indicators that your lawns brown patches are from urine burn:

Patches stay isolated to the affected area and don’t spread.
The patches can sometimes be greener around the outside of the burn.
Patches occur in an area where your pets usually go to wee.

There are a few different methods you and your pets can try to help stop these patches from occurring. Check out our blog for more information here.

Brown Patches from Scalping Your Lawn

If your lawns brown patches only start to show after mowing, you have likely scalped your lawn. Scalping occurs when a lawn is mown too short. When too much of the leaf is removed, it will cause the grass to look brown in patches.

If your lawn has uneven levels or has gone too long in between mows, scalping can occur. If your lawn has uneven levels, you may need to look at top dressing to amend. Please have a look at our blog for more information here.

Dry Spots in Lawns

If your lawn does have dry patches, the best solution is to give your lawn a good aerate with a garden fork or aerator to help decompact and loosen the soil profile. We then recommend applying a wetting agent, like our Lawn Soaker to the whole lawn. This will help the soil better absorb water making it available for your grass to use. After applying a wetting agent, water the area heavily every morning until you see signs of recovery. Once your lawn shows signs of recovery, apply a fertiliser to help give the lawn a boost. A fertiliser like our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser is ideal.

For more information on dry spots in lawns, check out our blog here.

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

3 Golden Rules for a Better Lawn

Posted on February 24, 2023November 15, 2024 by Sarah

If you are wanting the most effective but simple ways to help keep your lawn looking great, then you have come to the right place. In this blog, we share three simple tips to help you get the most out of your lawn.

So, let’s get into it.

Mowing Regularly

Ensuring you are mowing your lawn regularly will bring many benefits to your lawn, including making each time you mow an easier task!

Mowing regularly will help improve the health of your lawn. When too much of the grasses leaf is removed at one time, the grass will go under stress as it needs to replace the nutrients lost when mown. In addition, when your grass is mown irregularly, it will become more susceptible to weeds compared to a healthy turf that is mown regularly. Another benefit is that it will help stop you from scalping, which can affect the appearance of your turf.

From this, you may be wondering, how frequently do I need to mow? The answer to this question will depend on how fast your lawn is growing. When mowing, we recommend only removing one-third of the leaf blade with each pass. So, if you are in a warmer climate like Queensland, you will need to mow more frequently than someone on a cooler climate like Victoria. The time of year will also be another factor in how often you will need to mow. In summer, the grass will grow faster and slower in winter.

Fertilising Your Lawn

Fertilisers contain a mix of nutrients that your grass needs to stay healthy and perform well. Our soil can contain some of these nutrients, however sometimes our soils can be poor or not contain all the nutrients that your lawn needs. This is where a fertiliser can come in handy.

Fertilisers will usually contain a ratio of NPK.

N – Nitrogen

P – Phosphorus

K – Potassium

These nutrients are the 3 main nutrients that a lawn fertiliser will contain, as well as other trace elements. These trace elements can include Calcium, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, and Fulvic Acid just to name a few.

By applying a granular fertiliser 2-3 times a year, or a liquid fertiliser at regular intervals throughout the year, your lawn will have all the nutrients it needs to perform to a high standard.

When it comes to using a granular fertiliser, we recommend using our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser.

When looking at liquid fertilisers, we recommend Exceed Liquid Fertiliser.

Watering Your Lawn

Water is another essential component of your grasses health. Your lawn will absorb water through its roots, and then it is transported throughout the plant. Water is also required for your lawn to photosynthesise, which is an essential function.

So, how much water should you be providing your turf?

For a well-established, healthy turf, the answer is when your grass needs it. You can tell your lawn needs water by the following factors.

Leaf wilting or losing colour
If a footprint is left behind on the turf after walking on it
If the grass looks dry and crusty during hot weather.

When you are trying to repair areas of your lawn, increasing watering’s will help the area thicken out and recover.

When you are watering your lawn, we have a few tips to ensure you will use your water more effectively, plus see the most benefit for your grass.

Water less frequently for longer. By watering this way, you will help ensure the water is reaching the roots of your lawn. This will encourage your lawn to grow its roots deeply into the soil.
Water in the mornings. It is best to water in the mornings before the heat of the day to avoid evaporation. It is best to avoid watering in the afternoon/night as your lawn will sit damp for longer, which can lead to fungal diseases.
Use a sprinkler that covers your area evenly.

Hopefully with these tips, you will be well on your way to achieving a better lawn! For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out our other lawn care blogs here.

Anatomy of Grass

Posted on January 31, 2023November 15, 2024 by Sarah

Have you ever been curious about the anatomy of grass or wondered what each part of the plants function is? In this blog, we dissect grass and examine each part’s role in creating a lush and healthy lawn.

What Are Rhizomes?

Below the surface of your lawn, there are stems known as Rhizomes. A common misconception is that the rhizomes below the surface are roots, when in fact they are a stem.

Rhizomes grow below ground for a short distance, then rise to the soil surface to form new shoots. In some grass species, rhizomes produce growing points (often called nodes) which give rise to roots and shoots forming new or ‘daughter’ plants. Rhizomes are usually white.

What Are Stolons?

When discussing our lawn spreading or establishing, we tend to talk about the runners or stolons that run above the surface. Stolons are stems, that produce nodes from which new plants form. Stolons will help to spread into bare spots and thicken a lawn.

Stolonising or sprigging is the process of planting stolons of grass. These stolons are broken up to a singular runner and are planted into the ground. The nodes on the stolon will then grow and produce a root system. Over time the grass will thicken up and cover the area. This process is mostly used on sporting surfaces like fields and golf greens.

All warm-season grass plants have stolons (above-ground runners), while some varieties, such as Kikuyu, Couch, and Zoysia have stolons and rhizomes (underground runners).

Primary and Secondary Roots on Turf

Another part of your grass’s anatomy is the primary and secondary roots. Primary roots are the first roots that develop from the embryo or grass seed. When installing turf, you are looking for secondary roots for establishment which come from nodes on horizontal stems (stolons).

Where Are Nodes on Grass?

The nodes on grass can be identified as the bulbous points along a runner of grass. These are the points where there is lots of cellular activity and growth occurs. The nodes are the points from which the grass can recover if the plant becomes damaged. Nodes also have the ability to create new turfgrass plants.

Where are the Internodes on Grass?

Another part of your grasses’ anatomy is the internodes. The internode is the plant material between each node. The internode is responsible for transporting nutrients throughout the plant.

What is a Sheath on Turf?

The sheath is the lower portion of the grass’ leaf blade that usually surrounds a node and stolon.

What are Lawn Seed Heads?

When seed heads start to appear on your lawn, your first reaction might be to worry something is wrong, or stress that the seed heads are weeds! However, seed heads are a perfectly normal occurrence, and in most cases, they will go away on their own within a few weeks.

Seed heads can be easy to avoid for the most part, by sticking to a consistent lawn care program. If you do have seed heads growing, you can simply give the lawn a mow to remove them. If they are sticking around for a bit longer, make sure the lawn is getting watered and mown regularly and give the lawn a fertilise if you haven’t recently.

The appearance of seed heads will differ between lawn types.

Buffalo seed heads have a very similar appearance to asparagus. They usually grow at the same height or just above your lawns leaf height.
Couch seed heads can be green to purple in colour and will grow on a stem above the grass level. At the top of the stem, there will be a cluster of spikes (usually two to six spikes) that hold the seeds. These spikes are around two to five cm long.
Zoysia seed heads will either be white or purple in colour. They will feel ‘tough’ to touch and will come from one stem with small flowers that hold the seeds.

Seed heads produced with common grass varieties like Sir Walter Buffalo, Sir Grange Zoysia, TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, and Eureka Kikuyu are sterile. This means that the seed it produces won’t grow a new plant. Therefore, these grasses can only be spread by vegetative sprigs or stolons.

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

Lawn Fanatic Lingo

Posted on January 31, 2023November 15, 2024 by Sarah

Have you been hearing your mates who are lawn fanatics talk about their lawns but have no idea what lingo they are using or need a quick refresher?

What NPK is your fertiliser?

NPK are the primary nutrients that are commonly found in fertilisers. N Nitrogen, P Phosphorus and K Potassium.

Nitrogen is mainly responsible for the growth of leaves and is the most talked about nutrient when it comes to lawns. Nitrogen is usually the highest percentage of your NPK ratio.

Phosphorus is largely responsible for root growth and is low in the overall NPK ratio.

Potassium is a nutrient that helps the overall functions of the plant perform correctly. Potassium is an essential macro-nutrient used in large quantities by plants for vigour and growth.

Just about to put a PGR down on my lawn

Plant Growth Regulators, commonly known as PGR’s, can be used to help slow down the growth of your lawn, particularly throughout the warmer months when the lawn is actively growing. Some other benefits of using PGR’s include promoting healthier & denser turf, reduction of seed heads, and increased durability, just to name a few. When looking at using a PGR, we recommend Primo Maxx.

How’s my domination line looking?

A domination line is referred to as the ending of your property boundary line and the start of your neighbour’s property. This line is often spoken about when one lawn clearly looks better than the other, with a defined line of difference between properties.

What HOC do you mow your SWB?

The answer to this one comes in two parts, let’s break it down. HOC refers to your height of cut. This is the height which your lawn is been mown. SWB is also known as the Aussie favourite Sir Walter Buffalo.

Just put in my new SGZ and its looking great!

SGZ is one of the newer zoysia grasses on the market, Sir Grange Zoysia. Sir Grange is known for its stunning fine-bladed leaf, beautiful dark green colour, and slow-growing nature. You can find more information on this beautiful grass here.

We just finished a reno on the lawn, can’t wait to see how it looks in a few weeks!

Now you might be thinking, what on earth is a lawn reno? Well, there is such a thing! A lawn renovation is the process of removing weeds, removing thatch, aeration, fertilising, and top dressing typically conducted in spring. Check out our blog and video series for more information on what a lawn renovation is and the steps required here.

Just finished giving the lawn a feed!

Giving the lawn a feed is in reference to fertilising your lawn.

I can see why TifTuf is the alpha grass

Well, the answer to this question will depend on who you ask! We believe that TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda is in fact the ‘Alpha Grass’. Why? TifTuf has proven itself as the best performer in independent trials in Australia and the US. You can check out both the Australian and US trial results here.

The lawn just got some much needed sky beers

Rainfall is often referred as sky beers for some lawn fanatics. More often than not, your lawns watering requirements will be met by rainfall alone!

Just finished giving the lawn a mow with the SB45

A Scott Bonnar 45, also called SB45, is one of the more popular cylinder mowers for people to use. These mowers were first in production in 1968 through to 1980. Now more commonly, these mowers have become a restoration project for lawnies.

Just gave the mower a quick back lap

Back lapping is the process of maintaining the sharpness of a cylinder mowers cutting blades. This helps to ensure the reel and bed knife are bedded together and cut evenly, providing a sharp and even cut. Check out our page on back lapping for more information here.

The lawns going to thrive after I give it a core!

Coring is a type of aeration for your lawn. Unlike regular aeration, where solid tines punch holes in the ground, core aeration simultaneously removes a plug of soil from your lawn. Plug or core aerators use hollow tines that puncture the surface and then pull the plugs from the ground on their way back out. The process of coring helps create more space in the soil for your lawn to breathe, absorb nutrient and increases soil permeability.

We just gave the lawn a scalp

Scalping is when most of the leaf is removed with a mower. This can either be done on purpose, when dethatching your lawn in a renovation or by accident when the lawns levels are uneven or when the lawn has grown too long in between mowing.

The lawns going to come up a treat after scarifying it!

Scarifying a lawn is done to help remove the thatch layer of dead plant and organic matter that has developed within the profile of your lawn. After scarifying your lawn, it won’t look great for the first few weeks, however the lawn will be able to come back stronger.

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

How You Can Make Mowing Actually Fun This Summer

Posted on January 30, 2023November 15, 2024 by Sarah

Some love mowing, while others hate it. Whether you are a lover or a hater of mowing, there are some gadgets and knick-knacks out there that can help make your time out mowing fun!

Have You Heard of Bluetooth earmuffs?

Safety comes first! Wearing protective earmuffs is important to help prevent your ears from damage. But why wear regular earmuffs when you can take it one step further and listen to your favourite tunes!

There is an excellent range of Bluetooth ear muffs available on the market, but one readily available from Bunnings is the 3M Work Tunes Call Connect Bluetooth Ear Muffs. Reviews rave about their battery life, easy setup, and excellent earmuff quality, making mowing a more fun and enjoyable experience.

Do You Need a Mower Beer Holder

Have you ever wanted to enjoy a nice cold bevvy when mowing but had nowhere to put it? With the Mower Mate, you can now enjoy your beer when you are on the go, mowing your lawn! The mower mate attaches to any mower handle with its sturdy clamp with no fiddly attachments.

Getting a Good Cut With a Smaller Cylinder Mower

If you are following any of the lawn care pages, you have probably seen the hype around this mower. The Ozito Cylinder Mowers are cheap, fun to mow with plus provide a great result which is pleasing to the eye.

The Ozito mowers adjustable cutting height is between 14-38mm, cutting a bit higher than larger cylinder mowers. The Ozito Cylinder Mower is battery powered. Please note you do need to buy the rechargeable battery separately. This battery is also compatible with many other Ozito home and garden tools.

Need a Wearable Fan to Help Keep Cool?

When mowing on those hot summer days, you can work up quite a sweat! So to help combat the heat, why not use a wearable fan to help you keep your cool!

The O2COOl Deluxe Necklace Fans sit around your neck like a necklace, providing a strong vertical airflow, and it has three-speed settings while being quiet and lightweight.

Using a Wearable Umbrella to Help Keep Cool

While we are on the topic of staying cool, blocking out the sun and sun safety is a top priority. Wearable umbrellas will provide you with some of the best protection when mowing on a hot summer’s day, while helping you keep cool.

Is a Bunnings Straw Hat More Your Style?

However, we do understand wearable umbrellas might not be everyone’s style, but a more conventional option like the iconic Bunnings Straw Hat might be more your cup of tea when shielding the sun off your face on those hot summer days.

Want to Mow Lawn Stripes?

Adding a roller to your mower will help you get some stripes on your lawn, even when using a standard rotary mower! Stripes will show more after regularly mowing in the same pattern when using a roller.

The Toro Lawn Striping Kit will attach to most brands of 18” and 22” walk-behind mowers. If you are after some tips on perfecting your lawn stripes, check out our blog here.

Do You Want to Mow Less?

If mowing still isn’t your thing, why not look at using a plant growth regulator (PGR). A PGR will help reduce the number of times you need to mow throughout the warmer months while your lawn is growing at its fastest! PGR’s work by suppressing your lawn’s vertical growth and increasing the lawn’s lateral growth. When it comes to PGR’s we recommend using Primo Maxx.

Hopefully these tips will help make your time mowing a more fun and enjoyable experience! For more lawn care tips and advice, check out our lawn care page here.

Summer Lawn ‘Style’ Tips

Posted on December 22, 2022November 15, 2024 by Sarah

The first rule when it comes to being a stylish ‘lawnie’ this summer is… well there are no rules. If you want to rock your budgies with crocs and a classy party shirt from your friends ‘at Lowes’, be our guest. The lawn is your domain.

In this blog, we share some style tips to guide your unique style without restricting you to a list of rules. Because when it comes to lawn style, a deviation is not only recommended, it’s celebrated.

A quick safety note: Safety always takes precedence over style. Enjoy your lawn in any attire your heart desires, but when it comes to mowing or maintenance, make sure you always wear the appropriate protective clothing or equipment.

Not everyone is brave enough to rock a mullet. But for those that are, mullets are back in vogue and for some of you, they never left. Nothing screams a day out on the grass more than the Aussie mullet. Short at the front, long and wild at the back. Just like your lawn, sometimes a nice, neat trim at the front is perfect for street appeal and a bit of length or ruggedness out the back that says ‘hey I like to party too’ can provide the ying to your yang.

Headwear

If you can’t wrap your head around a mullet, then a hat of your preference is also acceptable and may even be strongly recommended if the sun is at full blast.

Here are some iconic headwear options:

Footwear

Thongs, no shoes at all, some fresh or old New Balances that would make your father proud. All are acceptable when out on the lawn. If mowing or undertaking maintenance, refer to the safety message above.

Here are some iconic footwear options:

Eyewear

Sunnies can make your lawn style but will never break it. All options will provide a bit of flavour and are as important to your signature style as they are to actual eye protection.

Here’s some iconic eyewear options:

Skate/Surf brand of your choice

The Rig:

Unless you’re an exhibitionist, you are likely to be rocking a particular outfit on the rig. Comfort tends to take precedence over style in this department, you’re here to relax and be free with your lawn. Wear as little or as much as you like, but confidence is key.

Here’s some iconic options for the rig:

Accessories:

Now that you have your lawn style sorted, you just need to chuck in a couple of accessories to ensure your thirst is quenched and you are ready to get out on the grass.

For the ultimate style accessory this Summer, it’s got to be a new TifTuf lawn!

Enjoy your lawns!