Sarah, Author at Lawn Solutions Australia

Lawn Artistry | Creating Mosaic Patterns with Grass

Posted on November 1, 2023May 15, 2025 by Sarah

Have you always wondered how patterns and stripes are mown into lawns? In this blog, we’ll walk you through how it is done and show you how to create a few different patterns as well.

Skip to: What equipment do I need to mow stripes in my lawn? How do I achieve stripes in my lawn with a rotary mower? How to mow stripes in a lawn, How to mow checkers in a lawn, How to mow a crisscross pattern in my lawn.

Before you get started…

A healthy, thick, and lush lawn will be able to show better stripes and patterns than a thin and sparse lawn. So, the first step is to ensure your lawn is in good health. If you are in need of some tips on getting your lawn on the mend, check out our blog here.

It is also worth checking your mower blades and ensuring they are nice and sharp for a cleaner cut. The cleaner the cut – the nicer the lawn will look. If you are using a cylinder mower, you may need to look at backlapping your mower to sharpen your blades. For more information on how to do this, check out our backlapping blog here. For a rotary mower, depending on the condition of your existing blades, you can look at either sharpening your mowers blades or replacing them – more information on sharpening and replacing mower blades here.

What equipment do I need to mow stripes in my lawn?

Usually, a cylinder mower with an inbuilt heavy roller is usually the best way to achieve stripes in your lawn. As cylinder mowers provide a cleaner cut compared to other mowers, they will cut the leaf rather than tearing it. The heavy roller will be able to bend the leaf of your grass. If the leaf is bent towards you, it will look darker and if the blades of grass are bent in the opposite direction it will appear lighter.

How to achieve lawn stripes with a rotary mower

Stripes and patterns can also be achieved with a rotary mower, but a roller attachment to your mower will be required to bend the grass. Using a roller attachment like the Toro Lawn Striping System is ideal.

Three mowing patterns you can try in your lawn

Now we are on to the fun part! We are going to take a look at how to mow three different patterns: stripes, checkers, and crisscross’.

How to mow stripes in your lawn?

To mow stripes, start off by mowing your first stripe along the edge of your lawn. When mowing your first stripe, try to mow in a straight line as this will be used as a guide for the rest of your lawn. On your next line, mow in the opposite direction along the edge of where you have just gone over. Repeat this process and continue to change direction.

Once you are finished, if you really want to help get your stripes to stand out, do a few passes over the lawn (known as double cutting or triple cutting) to push the grass right down and give it a really high-quality cut. Repeatedly mowing your lawn in the same directions should also help make your stripes more vivid over time. Just be sure to mix your mowing directions up from time to time when you are not striping to ensure ruts don’t develop in your lawn.

How do I mow checkers in my lawn?

The first step to mowing checkers is to mow stripes from left to right across your lawn. After this is completed, mow stripes going up and down across your lawn to create the checker effect. Follow the numbered steps for mowing stripes followed by the below letters.

How do I mow a crisscross pattern into my lawn?

For a crisscross pattern, instead of mowing up and down, you will need to mow diagonally across your area. Firstly, follow the numbers outlined below, then the letters. It can take a bit of practice to get your stripes straight. However, once you nail it, your lawn is sure to stand out on the street.

If you are wanting to take your lawn to the next level and mow a diamond pattern in your lawn, check out this video by Big League Lawns on YouTube.

Check out some inspiration…

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

The Secrets of the Turf Pro’s

Posted on November 1, 2023November 14, 2024 by Sarah

Want to know some insider knowledge on how the turf professionals keep their grass in tip-top condition? In this blog, we catch up with three industry leaders within the turf world and hear some of their advice on how to take your lawn to the next level.

Joe Rogers – Lawn Solutions Business Development Manager

Lawn Tip 1. Mow Regularly

By mowing regularly, you can help promote lateral growth and encourage your lawn to form a tighter growth habit. This makes your turf more wear tolerant, more aesthetically pleasing and helps it naturally choke out weeds. The main reason why golf courses and sporting fields look fantastic is they are mown 2-3 times per week. By mowing frequently, you can drastically improve the look of any lawn quickly.

Lawn Tip 2. Be Disciplined in Your Approach to Fertility

Whether or not you are fertilising with up-front nitrogen every six to eight weeks or using a controlled-release product with more P & K & trace elements every six months, it is important to ensure you have discipline with your application. This includes ensuring timing is regular and as per the recommendations and ensuring you stick to label rates. Chemical companies put a lot of effort into ensuring label information is correct, so it is best you follow it.

Lawn Tip 3. Embrace Technology

New turf types and lawn care products are coming to the market regularly. Instead of avoiding them, use them as they will provide many benefits to your lawn. New turf types like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda and Sir Grange Zoysia require less inputs to produce better results. New turf care products have lower active ingredients, require fewer products and are safer to apply both for you and the environment. So rather than keeping to the same products that you have used for years, keep an eye on new and emerging technology to use it for your advantage.

Simon Adermann – Lawn Solutions National Manager

Lawn Tip 1. Ensure Mower Has Sharp Blades

When mowing with blunt blades, bruising can occur to the leaf tips and a clean cut isn’t achieved. At the start of each spring, replace or sharpen blades ready for the growing season ahead.

Lawn Tip 2. Soil Analysis

Getting the peak performance from your turf, or if your turf isn’t performing a soil analysis, is recommended in spring. With results and recommendations, you can then find the right nutrient balance for your soil to ensure your turf is healthy and get the most out of your fertiliser applications.

Lawn Tip 3. Water Management

Water management is critical during extended periods of dry weather. Using water-efficient turfgrass is the key; however, soil can become hydrophobic and water won’t penetrate well. Wetting agents like Lawn Soaker are a key solution for water management and will allow even water movement through the soil profile. This will improve water efficiency and help with evenness of colour and growth of your lawn.

Michael Sutton – AusGAP Program Manager

Lawn Tip 1. Understanding Nutritional Value

It is important to have a basic understanding of what you are using and what will be the nutritional value it will have to the plant and/or soil. This way, you can help ensure your lawn isn’t getting too much of one nutrient and isn’t deficient of another. By understanding what to use and when, you can help deter other issues like disease.

Lawn Tip 2. Understanding the Site You Are Going to Turf

By understanding your site, if you want to install turf, you can then make a better decision of what varieties will be suitable for the area. Some main areas to look into include how many hours of direct light the lawn will receive, the existing soil type (and if amendments need to be made prior to installing turf) and who will be using the lawn.

Lawn Tip 3. Identifying Underlying Issues In Order to Treat and Address Any Ongoing Issues

So often we see people throwing a heap of expensive products at their lawns without getting to the cause of the problem, often making the issue worse or leading to wasted product and money. So, it is best to identify the problem, identify the solution and execute a treatment plan. If in doubt, consult with an expert.

For more lawn care tips and advice on how to improve your lawn, make sure you check out our YouTube Channel here.

Charlie Albone’s Top 10 Tips

Posted on September 27, 2023November 14, 2024 by Sarah

I started in the horticulture industry when I was 18 years old, 24 years later I’ve picked up a few tricks of the trade. Things have gone right, things have gone wrong, I’ve killed plenty of plants, but I have always tried to learn along the way and luckily for me, dead plants make the best compost! Here are my top ten tips for creating and maintaining your dream garden.

1. Be in the space before designing it

One of the hardest things to do as a landscape designer is to spend time in somebody else’s space before you start designing it. This time will really allow you to get to know the ins and outs of the garden, the light, the soil, and the environmental factors that influence it. Of course, you can spend some time there during consultations and site meetings but the owners are normally present too, so your focus is on them, not the actual space. Being able to sit and relax and really take in all the pros and cons of a site is vital for a successful garden design. Luckily, as a designer you become attuned to what will and won’t work in a space quickly. But as a homeowner, it’s important to invest time in doing nothing and taking in the space before rushing into a new project or addition.

2. Listen to your client

When I designed my first garden at The Royal Horticulture’s Chelsea Flower Show I was marked down from a gold medal to a silver gilt as my design brief stated the garden will be enclosed with a hedge. My hedge didn’t have enough leaves to enclose the space. I was fuming at the time thinking ‘how petty” however if a client had requested a private enclosed garden and I gave them a deciduous hedge for the boundary, they wouldn’t be happy. As such its vital to understand exactly what you want to get out of a space before embarking on any installation and really focus on what you are trying to achieve throughout the whole process.

3. Less is often more

Getting the scale and proportion of your garden elements right is key to a successful design. It’s much better to have a few elements at the right scale than too much. Too small as it will come across as tokenistic and cluttered. Having space to move around a garden comfortably between elements such as entertaining spaces, lawns, and swimming pools is as much joy as the spaces themselves.

4. Don’t forget practicality

Gardens are a visual feast, and the joy of looking at something beautiful is wonderful, but remember to allocate space for all the items that go along with supporting that beauty – things like lawnmowers, washing lines and kids’ play equipment all need to be thought of where they can go, where they can be accessed with ease and how can they be made to look nice too.

5. Right plant for the right spot

When it comes to planting a new garden or even adding a few plants to an existing bed, do some research on what you are planting. Our lovely green friends have evolved to like a certain set of environmental circumstances. If you can give them what they want, they will thrive. The key elements to look for are aspect – sun or shade, tolerance to wind, type of soil they like, the drainage they require, the amount of water they require and the level of fertilisation they need. This counts for your lawns as well as other plants. If you start to see problems with a plant use this as an opportunity to learn about what is going wrong, I’ve learnt more from diseased plants than I have from the easy-care ones.

6. Soil prep is king

Soil is everything when it comes to successfully growing lawns and ornamental plants. If you get the soil right for the plants you want to grow then you have won the battle to a healthy garden. Compost is king when it comes to improving your soil, and no matter what you have, compost will help it. It helps to bind sandy soils to hold onto nutrients and water but also breaks up clay-based soils by bringing in wildlife like worms and other soil insects. For unstable clays, the addition of gypsum will be paramount to the success of the soil before the introduction of compost. Whenever you get the chance to improve your soil, it’s a well worthy task to complete.

7. Water

Plants love water, even the drought-tolerant ones, The more you water your plants, the better they will grow and the healthier they will be…… as long as they have the right drainage for the plant you are growing. It’s a simple one but one that makes the world of difference to your garden.

8. Mulch

Mulch is a wonderful thing for your garden as it breaks down to improve your soil, slows water into the soil making watering more effective and slows water runoff too which prevents excess erosion. It will suppress weeds and help to lock moisture into the soil not to mention it makes the garden look finished and well cared for. It may seem crazy but try to get a mulch that fits with the style of your garden, a native garden suits leaf litter whilst a rustic garden will sing with a straw style mulch, contemporary spaces can be elevated with a pebble mulch. Remember it’s the small details that make a big difference in a gardens overall visual impact.

9. Less work more often

When it comes to maintaining anything in the garden be it a garden bed, a veggie patch or a lawn doing less more often is better than saving all that time up and trying to get it all done at once. Your plants will be healthier as you will get to know them better and be able to get on top of any issues quicker and your body will enjoy it too which will keep you doing it for longer. I also always like to remember the weeding is never done, no matter how much you do there will always be more and as soon as you come to terms with that the easier it is to do a little bit here and there and not get disheartened if you don’t get it all done.

10. Take time to enjoy the garden

We all enjoy our gardens for different reasons, for some it is watching the kids play on the lawn, for others its harvesting from the vegetable patch or deadheading your annuals. For me there is nothing better than taking a moment to sit and relax out on the lawn being surrounded by my favourite plants and soaking it all in. I truly cherish these brief moments.

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

Easy DIY Lawn Installation: 3 Essential Steps

Posted on September 27, 2023November 14, 2024 by Sarah

Spring is now here, and it is a great time to look at installing your new lawn! Temperatures are starting to warm back up but without the hot temperatures from summer. In this blog, we are going to look at our top tips for installing your new lawn to help make the process as seamless as possible.

How Do I Prepare the Ground For My New Lawn?

When installing new turf, it is important to ensure you have removed all the current lawn and weeds. If this is done correctly, it will help prevent them from growing back through your new lawn. After your old turf has been treated and removed, bringing in a quality soil base will help ensure your lawn will be able to grow and establish its roots down into the profile well.

Our top tips for ground preparation:

Remove all existing grass and weeds with a non-selective herbicide like RoundUp or Zero. You may need 2-3 applications around 7-10 days apart to ensure all plant material is removed. More invasive varieties like Kikuyu or Couch may require more repeated applications for removal.
Use a good quality soil base (an 80% and 20% loam or a turf underlay mixture is preferred) of at least 80-100mm.

How Do I Install My New Lawn?

When installing your new lawn, it is best to ensure you don’t leave the turf sitting on the pallet for too long, especially if it is a hot day. When laying out your turf, work from the furthest part of your yard and work your way back, laying in a brickwork pattern. Once installed, ensure you give your lawn a good water to stop the roots from drying out.

Our top tips for installing your new lawn:

Install your lawn the same day you receive it.
Do not water your lawn when it is on the pallet, as it can cause it to burn.
Start laying your turf in the furthest away point from your exit and work your way back.
Lay your new lawn in a brickwork pattern and butt up the edges together.
Install your new lawn across slopes rather than down.
If you need to cut the turf to fit around any trees or corners, use either a sharp knife, spade, or garden shears.
It is best to use large pieces of turf to fill in gaps rather than several smaller pieces where possible. Smaller pieces will be more susceptible to drying out.
After your lawn is installed, give it a good water. If installing your lawn over a large area, water the finished sections while you work to prevent turf from drying out.
You can give your new lawn a light roll once installed; however this is not necessary.

How Do I Care For My New Lawn?

Now that the hard work is done, there are a few extra steps you can do to ensure your lawn has the best chance to thrive well into the future. Keep foot traffic off the area and ensure you keep up with regular watering. This will help ensure your lawns roots are able to grow deeply into the profile.

Our top tips for caring for your new lawn:

Irrigate your lawn regularly enough so that your lawn does not dry out. New lawns must not be allowed to dry out in the first six weeks post-installation. If you are away from home, sprinklers and tap times should be used. Your local turf suppliers should be able to provide you with a guide on how regularly you should be watering. The amount you need to water will also be dependent on the time of year. Please have a look at the below table as a guide on when to water.
When watering your lawn, apply a minimum of 3mm. Use a rain gauge or catch cups to check how long this will be with your irrigation method.
Foot traffic (including your pets) should be kept to a minimum until the lawn has fully established and has been mown 3-4 times.
Depending on the time of year and variety, your lawn will vary in the time it takes to establish. It is best to walk out every 3-4 days post-installation and pull up the corners of the roll/slab gently. If they have established into the soil, it is time to mow. For a fast-growing grass like TifTuf this may occur after 5-6 days.
When giving you lawn its first mow, mow on a high setting to be sure not to scalp the lawn.
Fertilise your lawn once it has been down for 5-6 weeks. For fertilising, we recommend using our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser and water it in well after application.

Please note: it is normal for the corners of the turf rolls/slabs to dry out in the first few weeks after installation.

Turf Installation & Initial Care – Best Practice Guidelines

New! Hose-on Lawn Care Products

Posted on September 14, 2023November 14, 2024 by Sarah

Looking for an easy lawn solution? Introducing the Lawn Solutions hose-on range. Just clip it, and hose it! Our clip-on hose-on attachment will help make lawn care easier than ever. And if you are unsure about measuring and mixing concentrates, these will be a great solution for you.

Applying these new hose-on products couldn’t be easier…

Shake the bottle well before use and ensure the bottle remains upright during application.
Attach the hose-on bottle to your hose and remove the plastic plug from the sprayer.
Turn on your tap and ensure the bottle is pointing towards the intended spray area.
Most our hose-on products are fitted with additional shut-off valves, so no need to kink the hose to stop the water flow. Gently pull up the black tab and the sprayer will immediately start spraying.
Apply evenly to your lawn, moving across it smoothly so the lawn is quickly coated.

These products are designed for use on most grass varieties in all climates. They are safe to use in a domestic situation around humans, and around domestic animals. Just be sure to keep them off the lawn during application and while the lawn is drying. One last tip, make sure you avoid applying to footpaths or other hard surfaces. Some of these products contain iron so can stain if not washed off immediately.

Lawn Kelper Liquid Hose-on

Lawn Kelper Liquid Hose-on spray is a balanced formulation with the added additions of Trace Elements, Seaweed Kelp and Fulvic Acid. This formulation is designed specifically for turf/lawns to increase turf vigour and stimulate and strengthen roots and shoots.

The 2L ready-to-use bottle will treat up to 150m².

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Exceed Foliar Fertiliser Hose-On

Exceed Hose-on is a premium, professional-grade foliar fertiliser that we’ve specifically designed to bring out the best in your lawn. This carefully balanced NPK ratio will provide health and colour to your lawn during the growing period and can be used year-round.

This 2L ready-to-use bottle will also treat up to 150m².

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All Purpose Weed Control Hose-on

Knock out common weeds such as Bindii, Creeping Oxalis, Catsear, Clover, Cudweed, Dandelion and Thistles with All Purpose Weed Control. This weed killer is suitable for established couch, bent, kikuyu, paspalum, buffalo, zoysia, fescue and rye lawns and turf.

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

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

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Lawn Rescue Hose-on

Lawn Rescue is a perfect blend of liquid fertilisers, seaweed extracts and wetting agents is ideal for use during establishment, post establishment and for post-winter revival. This product promotes the development of root systems and growth in new lawns, and stimulates, supports and protects root growth in established lawns year-round.

Lawn Solutions Lawn Rescue 2L ready-to-use bottle treats up to 150m².

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ColourGuard Plus Hose-on

ColourGuard Plus is a liquid fertiliser and a natural grass pigment that instantly restores the colour of your lawn. Apply this 100% natural grass colourant to keep your lawn looking green year-round.

ColourGuard 2L ready-to-use bottle covers up to 150m².

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Lawn Soaker Hose-on

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.

Apply as frequently as necessary to treat water repellent soil and improve drought resistance. Lawn Soaker will help break down the wax like substance that is caused by the decomposition of organic matter, allowing water to penetrate.

Lawn Solutions Lawn Soaker 2L ready-to-use bottle treats up to 150m².

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The Lawn Solutions Hose-On Product Range can be purchased on our online Lawn Store or from your local Lawn Solutions Australia Member or Reseller.

Spring Planning with Charlie Albone

Posted on August 31, 2023November 14, 2024 by Sarah

Spring is finally here and if you are anything like me you can’t wait for the warmer weather to get the garden moving again and jump into some spring lawn care. Warmer days means more growth which equals pruning, deadheading, weeding, mowing and generally pottering around in the garden.

What I’ve Done Recently in My Garden

With spring comes a certain gusto, a reinvigoration to get out there and start a new project. I completed a new garden at my place last summer and it’s been settling in over autumn and winter. So I’m really excited to see the new growth starting and the gaps filling in. I designed the space for the whole family with the alfresco space out the back door. This area is complete with a BBQ, table, chairs and umbrella to protect us from the sun. This seamlessly flows onto the lawn, a TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda turf as I have two active boys and two active dogs I needed something that could handle the wear and tear.

Moving past this is the pool area and large surrounding garden beds with contemporary architectural plantings. I keep these safe behind the pool fence so the kids and dogs can’t bump into them and break them! In the pool area is a cabana complete with a roof top garden with spill over plants. This helps the space feel as lush and green as possible. I also have an infrared sauna that I use as an escape, I love the fact it’s in the garden so I can sit and look out enjoying the surroundings.

How You Can Help Your Garden Moving into Spring

Whatever your garden looks like there are a few things you can do right now to prepare the space for spring growth and moving into summer heat.

With my lawn, as its new I won’t dethatch it as it doesn’t need it yet. However I will aerate it and apply Lawn Soaker a soil wetting agent to ensure the water gets down to the roots. It’s very shallow soil in that part of the garden so getting water in and away quickly is a battle I’ll face moving forward. Top dressing with a sandy mix is a must to stop the holes from collapsing in on themselves too and helping with the soggy feet. Winter is a wonderful time for weed growth, especially in a lawn so applying All Purpose Weed Control is a must when it comes to spring lawn care to stop any smaller weeds from taking over before they take hold.

all purpose weed control — All Purpose Weed Control

When I notice the lawn starting to grow again, I’ll apply a fertiliser such as Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser and then look at feeding my garden beds too. As most plants have been living off the soil I improved when they were planted it’s time to supplement this with an all-purpose long lasting slow-release feed, I also apply a liquid fertiliser as it’s taken up quickly and has rapid effects.

After feeding the garden and lawn I’ll top up the mulch in the garden. All the predictions I’m hearing suggest we are in for a long hot summer (I’m glad I have TifTuf). To preserve moisture in the garden beds a layer of mulch 75mm thick. This will really make a big difference to the health of the plants. Don’t wait until you see signs of heat stress get on to it now as prevention is better than remedy. Applying mulch now is also great as your plants are about to put on growth. It is easier when they are a little smaller in size.

Regular Maintenance is Key

The more I garden the more I realise the importance of doing a little bit often rather than a lot sporadically. I have few pests in my garden as I’m always out there picking them off when they do occur. My clipped plants never get too bushy and out of control. The weeds are manageable – all because I do a little bit every couple of days. When I say a little bit, I mean 10-15 minutes every couple of days. It’s a great way to relax and too and something to look forward to when I’m working from home.

Having a space to relax, entertain, garden and enjoy time with my family and friends is something I aimed to create when I designed the space. It is something that I’m looking forward to enjoying in the new garden this summer.

For more spring lawn care tips and advice, check out our Spring Lawn Care Guide.

When Should I Apply a Pre-Emergent Herbicide?

Posted on August 31, 2023February 26, 2026 by Sarah

Pre-emergent herbicides are fantastic products to add to your lawn care regime. With these herbicides, your application timing can impact how well it will work to prevent weeds in your lawn. In this blog, we look at the optimal times throughout the year to apply a pre-emergent to get the best results.

Skip to: Why should I time my pre-emergent application? When should I apply a pre-emergent for seasonal winter weeds? When should I apply a pre-emergent for seasonal summer weeds? What pre-emergent should I use? What should I use for weeds already growing?

How Does a Pre-Emergent Work?

Pre-emergents work by targeting weed seedlings during germination. They create a barrier at the soil level that affects the germination of any new seedlings. This means they will target weeds before they appear but will not be effective after weeds have started growing.

Why Should I Time My Application?

As pre-emergents work by targeting weeds before they appear, you will need to time your application just before weeds are set to start growing in your lawn. If you can create the barrier at the soil level before the weeds are set to start growing, you can stop them during their germination phase.

When Should I Apply a Pre-Emergent for Seasonal Winter Weeds?

Pre-emergents can be used to help prevent seasonal winter weeds, including Winter Grass. Seasonal winter weeds will start to germinate once the average soil temperatures start to drop below approximately 14 degrees. Therefore, it is best to get your application on just before this is set to occur. The exact time this will occur will depend on your location and temperatures in your region.

When to Apply a Pre-Emergent for Seasonal Summer Weeds?

Some seasonal summer weeds that pre-emergents will help target include Summer Grass, Crabgrass, and Crowsfoot. Seasonal summer weeds will start to germinate when the soil temperatures begin to warm back up, usually when the average soil temperature is above approximately 14 degrees. So, it is best to get your application down before the temperatures are set to rise in your region. The exact time for your application will change depending on your location and temperatures in your region. As a guide, this will usually occur around early to mid-spring.

What Pre-Emergent Should I Use?

When it comes to using pre-emergents, we recommend using our Lawn Solutions Oxafert Pre-Emergent Herbicide and Fertiliser. Oxafert comes in a handy 3kg bag that will treat up to 100m2. It is safe for most warm season turf types, including Sir Walter DNA Certified, TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, Sir Grange, Zoysia Australis and Kikuyu. This product also contains a balanced ratio of nutrients to help boost your lawn for healthier all-round turf. Oxafert will remain active on your lawn for up to 12 weeks, for protection of seasonal weeds.

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If you have a larger area size, check out the Oxafert Plus available in a 20kg bag, treating up to 660m2.

If you do prefer to use liquid lawn care products, Barricade 250ml Pre-Emergent Herbicide is another ideal option.

What Weeds Will Oxafert Target?

Oxafert will help control the germination of Winter Grass, Summer Grass, Crowsfoot, Creeping Oxalis and Crabgrass.

What Should I Use for Weeds That Are Already Growing?

If you already have weeds growing in your lawn, it is best to get on top of them as soon as possible to help prevent their spread. When there are only a few weeds growing throughout your lawn, hand removal is an effective option. If the weeds are more widespread and there is too much to remove by hand you may need to look at using an herbicide for removal. For removing common broadleaf weeds like Clover, Bindii, Creeping Oxalis, Cudweed and Thistles, we recommend using a broadleaf herbicide like our All Purpose Weed Control.

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If you are unsure of what type of weed you have growing throughout your lawn, make sure you either check out the LSA app for handy weed identification tools or check out our ultimate weed guide here.

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

How Early Is Too Early to Mow in The Morning?

Posted on August 31, 2023May 12, 2025 by Sarah

Did you know there is such a thing as too early to mow? Here at Lawn Solutions, we believe there is no better sound than a mower starting up on a Saturday morning, but your neighbours might disagree! In this blog, we look at what time each state allows you to start up your mower to help you keep the peace between you and your neighbours.

Skip to: NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, TAS, NT, CBR, WA, lawn mowing tips

Just like power equipment and construction noise in residential areas, there are permitted hours for each region to run your mower. Your local environmental protection agency often puts these noise regulations in place to help ensure your neighbours are not woken up at dawn and can get a good early night’s sleep.

So, what are the regulations for your state? Let’s take a look…

New South Wales

In NSW, mow between 7am to 8pm Monday to Saturday. On Sundays and public holidays, you can mow between 8am to 8pm. In NSW these rules have been set out by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.

Queensland

The Environmental Protection Act 1994 in QLD states that you can mow your lawn between 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday. On Sundays and public holidays, mow between 8am to 7pm.

Victoria

In Victoria, you can mow Monday to Friday between 7 am to 8pm. You can mow between 9am – 8pm on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, according to the Environmental Protection Authority Victoria.

South Australia

In South Australia, you can mow between 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and from 9am to 7pm Sunday and public holidays. These rules have been set out by EPA South Australia.

Tasmania

In Tasmania, you can mow between 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday. On Saturdays you can mow between 9am to 8pm and Sundays and public holidays between 10am to 8pm. These rules have been set out by EPA Tasmania.

Northern Territory

In the NT, you can mow between 7am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 8am to 8pm Sunday and public holidays, according to the NT EPA.

Canberra

In the ACT, lawn mowing can be done 7am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 8am to 8pm Sundays and public holidays, according to Access Canberra.

Western Australia

In WA, generally lawn mowers can be used between 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 7pm Sundays and public holidays. This is for most regions within WA.

Mowing Tips

Now that you have got what time you can mow down packed let’s take a look at a few tips on how you can make sure you get the best cut:

Mow regularly enough so that only one third of the leaf is removed with each pass.
Ensure your mowers blades are nice and sharp.
Mow when the lawn is dry and try to avoid mowing when the lawn is wet.
Mow at the same length and keep it consistent.
Switch mowing directions.
Mow in the mornings or afternoons. Avoid mowing in the middle of the day.
Keep at a consistent pace.

If you would like more lawn mowing tips and advice, you can check out our other mowing blogs here.

Treating Common Broadleaf Weeds

Posted on August 31, 2023May 20, 2025 by Sarah

Many weeds that appear in our lawns are known as broadleaf weeds. In this blog, we discuss what broadleaf weeds are, provide some common examples and explain how to treat them in your lawn.

Skip to: How to identify broadleaf weeds? How do broadleaf weeds invade your lawn? How to prevent broadleaf weeds? How to remove broadleaf weeds?

How to Identify Broadleaf Weeds

Broadleaf weeds are a group of plants that generally have broad, flat leaves. They come in a range of sizes, shapes, and textures. These weeds are often easily distinguishable from the grass in your lawn.

Some common examples include creeping oxalis, clover, chickweed, plantain, and catsear. These weeds can look very different to each other but will have significant contrast in appearance to that of your lawn or other invading grass-type species.

First, properly identifying the weeds in your lawn is essential for selecting the appropriate treatment methods and will help ensure the products or methods used are successful.

How Do Broadleaf Weeds Invade Your Lawn?

Broadleaf weeds can invade lawns for various reasons but usually occur due to a lack of lawn care, compacted soil, or due to worn-out or thin and sparse lawns. Weeds can quickly take advantage of this weakened or thin grass, as well as areas where the grass is struggling to compete and thrive due to environmental factors like shade or poor drainage. The weeds can be brought in through rain, wind, pets and foot traffic, and will be more likely to successfully germinate if there is space to penetrate the profile of the lawn to the soil and there is space to grow.

How to Prevent Broadleaf Weeds

Preventing broadleaf weeds from invading your lawn is essential for long-term weed control.

Mowing

Keep your lawn at the recommended height for your grass type, as taller grass shades out weed seeds, reducing their germination.

Watering

Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deeper root growth in your grass, making it more resilient and competitive against weeds.

Fertilising

Apply the right amount and type of fertilizer for your lawn’s needs. Healthy, well-fed grass is better equipped to compete with weeds.

Aeration

Aerate your lawn seasonally or as required to alleviate soil compaction and improve nutrient and water absorption by the grass.

How to Eradicate Broadleaf Weeds Once they Appear

For a few scattered weeds, hand-pulling or spot-treating with a non-selective herbicide, carefully avoiding contact with the grass is a quick and easy solution. If the weeds have spread profusely or are difficult to pull out by hand, a broadleaf herbicide may be required. Broadleaf herbicides are a type of weed killer specifically designed to target and control broadleaf weeds.

There are two main types of herbicides that will help you treat these broadleaf weeds…

Post-Emergent Herbicides

Post-emergent herbicides are applied directly to the weeds, as the name suggests, after they have emerged. They are most effective on young, actively growing weeds. Post-emergent herbicides containing active ingredients like Bromoxynil and Dicamba are commonly used for broadleaf weed control.

All Purpose Weed Control is a broad-leaf herbicide containing bromoxynil, designed to control many of these broad-leaf weeds. All-purpose weed control is safe to use on all common grass varieties. Unlike many herbicides that contain Dicamba, is safe to use on buffalo grasses like Sir Walter DNA Certified as well.

Pre-Emergent Herbicides

Pre-emergent herbicides are applied to the lawn before weed seeds have a chance to germinate, so as the name suggests, before the weeds have a chance to emerge. They create a barrier in the soil, preventing weed seeds from sprouting. Pre-emergent herbicides are more effective against annual broadleaf weeds. Common active ingredients include Oxadiazon like in Oxafert, Prodiamine and Pendimethalin.

Remember to always read and follow the label instructions on any herbicide product. It is best to avoid using herbicides on windy days or during extreme heat to prevent drift and damage to non-target plants.

If you need help identifying what weeds you have, please reach out to us here at Lawn Solutions Australia or check out the Lawn Solutions Australia App. The LSA App has an extensive library of broadleaf weeds that you can utilise for identification and treatment advice.

You can download the Lawn Solutions Australia app on the App Store here and the Google Play Store here.

Outdoor Checklist to Get Your Space in Order

Posted on July 28, 2023November 14, 2024 by Sarah

Do you want to get your outdoor space in order but need help figuring out where to start? Organising our outdoor spaces can initially seem overwhelming, but with simple tips and advice, you can get your outdoor space ready in no time.

Getting Your Lawn in Order

One of the first items on our outdoor checklist is to get your lawn on track. Now that the temperatures are set to warm back up over the coming months, there are more activities we can do to get our lawns back on track. For the most part, getting a neat and healthy lawn can be achieved with a few regular lawn care activities. One of the more important steps is to ensure you mow your lawn regularly. We recommend following the one-third rule. This is where you mow your lawn regularly enough to remove only one-third of the leaf with each pass. When applying fertiliser, for most lawns, a well-balanced NPK slow-release granular fertiliser, like our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser, is ideal. These fertilisers are designed to slowly release nutrients to your lawn for a sustained boost over a longer period of time. Getting on top of weeds will also help improve your lawns appearance. We recommend using a broadleaf herbicide like our All Purpose Weed Control or Amgrow Bin Die to remove common broadleaf weeds like Clover, Bindii, and Oxalis.

Cleaning Decking

Decking is another surface that you may want to look into cleaning on your outdoor checklist. When cleaning your deck, first sweep the area with a soft-bristled broom to remove leaves and dirt. You can then give your lawn a hose down, then use some soapy water or a specialised deck-cleaning product and carefully scrub down the deck. It is best to scrub your deck, the same way you mow your lawn, in up and back strips to ensure you don’t miss any areas. After this, you can then give the area a hose down, or you can use a gentle power washer to rinse the deck. Following this, you can protect your deck by using a stain or oil.

Attending to Your Garden Beds and Trees

A good starting point is clearing any debris and weeds from the garden beds. Trim overgrown branches and remove any dead or diseased trees to promote healthy growth. Regularly mulching around trees and plants retains moisture and prevents weed growth.

How to Clean Out Your Gutters

To clean out your gutters, start by using a sturdy ladder to access the gutters safely. Remove any leaves, debris, or twigs by hand or with a small garden trowel. Then, flush the gutters with a hose to ensure proper drainage and unclog any remaining dirt.

Cleaning Outdoor Furniture

As outdoor furniture is exposed to the elements, it can require regular cleaning to keep dust and dirt away. Start by removing any loose dirt or debris with a brush or damp cloth. For plastic and metal furniture, create a soapy solution using a mild detergent and water, then scrub with a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly with a hose and let it dry in the sun. For wooden furniture, use a wood cleaner and a soft brush, following the grain. Apply a protective sealant to keep it in top condition.

How to Clean Your Outdoor Windows

Start by removing any loose dirt or cobwebs with a soft brush or duster. Mix a solution of window cleaner and water, then use a window squeegee to scrub the glass gently. For high windows, use an extendable window cleaning tool for safety.

We hope this outdoor checklist will help get you ready for the warmer months ahead! For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out our other lawn care blogs on our website here.