Sarah, Author at Lawn Solutions Australia

All New Zoysia Lands at Oakwood Street

Posted on August 8, 2024November 13, 2024 by Sarah

ZOYSIA AUSTRALIS WITH TERRY DALEY OF DALEYS TURF

Over the 31 years we have been producing turf for South East Queensland, I have learnt a lot about introducing new varieties to the market.

Knowing the product and having confidence in what you are selling to your customers is a must. As a result, my wife and I decided to remove an area of our front lawn and replace it with Zoysia Australis, or ZA as we “Turfies” call it.

I sprayed out the existing lawn which required three applications one week apart. I then waited for 6 weeks to be sure the old lawn had completely died.

As our neighbours and regular passers-by were used to seeing the lush green grass we pride ourselves on, this attracted some attention to the ‘dying lawn’ and what was going on at the turf farmer’s place, with many stopping out the front to ask about the project. We had one very enthusiastic visitor to the neighbourhood knock on our door on a Sunday morning asking why we had killed our lawn and what was our plan for it.

After chatting to him about the new Zoysia Australis, as a lawn-lover himself, he was eager to see the results and asked when ZA would be available to the public as he would like to try it out at his place. We welcomed him to come back and check out the new lawn as it was establishing.

I removed the old lawn using a turf cutter, then added organics, lime, gypsum, and trace elements to the soil blending it into 30mm of the top layer. Five millimetres of top-bedding sand was added to create a cap on top. This allows for levels to be precise, with the added benefit of better drainage for the profile as Zoysia doesn’t like ‘wet feet’ – growing in soil that is too wet.

The next day we harvested the ZA. We applied a slow-release fertiliser to the area to provide food for the new turf for 12 weeks, then we installed the ZA. It was rolled twice and watered in well to bed into the soil profile.

Often customers believe the organics that were added to the top layer of soil in preparation for new turf is enough, and that fertilising before installation is not needed. However, a starter fertiliser application should always be carried out, preferably with a slow-release product to ensure the necessary nutrients for optimal establishment are provided.

The new lawn was lightly irrigated morning and night for the first 7 days, once daily for the following 7 days, then every other day for a further 2 weeks.

The new lawn had its first mow after 18 days. I always water new turf immediately after the first mow, which seems to help reduce the stress of the new plant having its leaves cut off.

Since installation, I have only used liquid feed, Lawn Solutions Australia Exceed and Lawn Kelper on the lawn every 4-6 weeks as the colour reduces. This is to control the thatch and the clipping count. Applying small amounts often has had the best results. To date, I have not applied a granular fertiliser, and it doesn’t look like it will be needed. Nor have I applied any herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides despite having had the worst lawn grub season in years.

I have seen the presence of mealy bug in one small area where it’s damp from the shade of a hedge, however, I have not treated the pest and it has not been a problem for the lawn.

The lawn-lover who was interested in what we were doing with the lawn and eager to see how the ZA performed, called by again within days of installation and was excited to see how it looked and loved the blue-green colour like QLD Blue Couch. He placed the first order of ZA for his own lawn right there on the spot, and his second order about 6 weeks later.

We had more interested neighbours stop by over the following weeks, and after answering their questions, they too wanted to have their lawn replaced with ZA. The orders then rolled in.

Zoysia Australis has proven itself, not only to my wife and I, but also to the local community as a great variety of turf for a beautiful lawn. It has shown how little input is needed to achieve excellent results. The lawn has grown successfully in the entire area of installation, and even in the shade of the hedge despite having one of the wettest and most humid summers in years.

Building My Dream Par 3 Golf Hole: The Journey So Far

Posted on August 8, 2024November 13, 2024 by Sarah

BEN SIMS, LAWN TIPS

I’ve always dreamed of having my own golf hole, and now it’s happening right here in my backyard in Orange, NSW. It’s been an exciting and challenging journey but seeing it all come together has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve already built a beautiful golf green, laid down a TifTuf fairway, and set up an irrigation system to keep everything lush and green. Let me take you through the whole process, sharing everything I’ve learned along the way.

The TifTuf Fairway

The latest completed project has been my TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda fairway. There were several steps involved in getting the TifTuf to where it is now.

Design and Preparation

Before anything, I needed to decide on the size of the fairway and the best grass type for the entire area. I planned to have a decent-sized area since I’m eventually putting in three to four tee boxes on the golf hole. After talking with some designers and my subscribers on my YouTube channel, we settled on about half an acre of grass.

I also decided to create a second fairway on the top side of the green so the bottom tee box would have another area to hit from. This second fairway would feature a different grass type, allowing me to show how to care for both types. In total, this meant about 2,500m2 of fairway space. Prepping this area involved several steps. Firstly, I had to clear out all the rocks in the area. There were some decent-sized boulders and a few rock shelves, so it was a bigger task than I had originally expected. I used my John Deere E36ZS Excavator to help dig the rocks out and tidy up the area. Overall, I spent close to a week digging these rocks out.

The next step was spraying out all the existing weeds and grasses so that I had a clean area to shape and turn over. I used a non-selective herbicide (glyphosate) to kill everything in the area. I did this over a six-month period. Every month, I would spray every weed that popped up to destroy as much of the seed bank as possible. This also helped remove a lot of the existing Kikuyu and Couch, which took a few sprays to see an impact.

Once the area was clean of weeds, it was time to start shaping the fairway and turning it over so that it would be ready for turf to be laid. I used a Harley Rake (power rake) on the front of my John Deere 317G, which made things super easy. Turning over 2,000m2 only took about an hour of work. I did this about three times over two months to keep the soil loose and the weeds at bay while I waited for the right time to lay the turf.

The last step before laying the turf was installing the irrigation. I installed a Rainbird system, just like on the golf green, to cover the large area. I had a trench digger that goes on the skid steer, which made it a quick and painless job.

Turf Selection and Installation

The turf I decided to go with was TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda. The main reason for this choice was that it wouldn’t require a ton of water to keep it alive, considering the size of the area and the superior drought tolerance that TifTuf has. Hybrid couches are also very commonly used on fairways across the world since you can mow it nice and low, and it repairs very quickly from divots taken by golfers.

The TifTuf was laid in December 2023 with help from the boys at Western Plains Turf. Huge shoutout to Tim and the boys there—without their help, my mates and I would have struggled to get it down in the sweltering heat by ourselves. We had 1,700m2 to lay in the end, and it took us four hours. Not a bad effort!

After the turf was laid, the next step was to ensure it was established properly. For the first few weeks, I watered the new turf daily to help it take root. After that, I gradually reduced the watering frequency to encourage deeper root growth. Mowing was also a critical part of the maintenance routine. I started mowing the fairway after about two weeks and continued to mow it regularly to promote healthy and dense turf.

Future Projects

I’ve still got a few projects to work on over the next 12 months, and the plan is to have it all finished by the end of next year’s season. Here are some of the main tasks I plan to tackle:

Build Three Tee Boxes: I need to design and construct three tee boxes, each with its own irrigation system and grass. This will allow for a variety of tee-off points, enhancing the playability of the hole.

Install a Sir Grange Zoysia Fairway: Next to the green, I plan to install a Sir Grange Zoysia Fairway. This will not only add variety to the course but also provide an opportunity to showcase how to care for this type of grass.

Create a Pitch and Putt Area: I want to sprig 2000m2 with TifTuf to create a pitch and putt area. This will be a great addition for practising short-game skills.

Install Grass in the Rough Areas: To complete the look and feel of the course, I need to install grass in the rough areas. This will involve selecting the right grass type and ensuring it blends well with the existing fairways and greens.

I’m sure more ideas and projects will come up, but these are the main ones I hope to complete by the season’s end. Building my dream Par 3 golf hole has been an awesome journey so far, and I’m excited to see it all come together.

Transforming Mooloolaba with TifTuf

Posted on August 7, 2024November 13, 2024 by Sarah

MOOLOOLABA FORESHORE REVITALISATION PROJECT

In 2020, the Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) commenced major re-development of the Mooloolaba foreshore.

The Mooloolaba Esplanade Holiday Park was permanently closed to allow for Stage 1, Northern Parkland to take place. This incorporated a raised boardwalk to link Alexandra Headland to Mooloolaba with new community facilities including picnic areas, undercover barbeque areas, a state-of-the-art playground with sails and hard-covered areas and landscaping.

This stage was completed in June 2022 and was opened to the public. By September 2023, the SCC could see that the turf areas were in major disrepair, and they contacted Daleys Turf located in Bells Creek seeking a solution.

After several onsite meetings, it was decided to replace the old turf with an improved variety that would suit all the needs the council required for such an area. TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda was the chosen turf variety based on its wear tolerance and that it would handle the punishment of sporting events such as the Mooloolaba Triathlon, the Sunshine Coast Marathon and other fun runs whereby the grassed area can be covered for up to 10 days at a time with temporary infrastructure that is used for these events.

The first challenge was working out how to conduct the work safely and efficiently without completely closing the area off to the public. Access for pedestrians on the Mooloolaba foreshore is via a footpath shared by over 1,000 people daily.

With the assistance of SCC management and their employees, Daleys Turf devised a plan.

The project was to begin once the Queensland school holidays were over, but it needed to be completed 6 weeks before a large event that was booked in November to give the turf time for establishment. It would then be ready to re-open to the public. This only gave the team a 4-day window to complete the job.

Metal safety fencing was erected, then the existing turf and soil were removed, the drainage system was installed, irrigation was upgraded with more stations and sprinklers added to increase coverage, and then the new sand-based soil was added.

All materials had to be delivered to an off-site location and then re-loaded onto smaller vehicles that could access the shared walkway. Each vehicle was escorted into and out of the site with spotters in front and at the back.

Fifty-five cubic metres had to be removed and the total area of turf to be replaced was 890m2. There were 65 cubic metres of SFB8000 (a special sports blend to handle foot traffic) to be added. This was blended in with the existing profile using a Harley Rake, and then the prep area for the turf was laser-levelled to maximise the drainage.

SCC supplied Daleys Turf with staff to help control the pedestrian traffic, which allowed the team to work freely inside the safety fence with a steady flow of materials coming in and out.

The project was completed within the 4 days allocated, followed by a 6 week maintenance period. The TifTuf performed exceptionally well establishing in its new environment so well that the turfed areas were opened to the public a week ahead of schedule.

This was one of the largest and most complex public projects Daleys Turf had ever taken on. It was a massive collaboration with SCC and their contractors, as well as Daleys Turf contractors. Daleys Turf Owner Terry Daley was extremely proud of his team and of course, the outcome of the project.

Lawn Care for High Traffic Areas

Posted on June 26, 2024November 13, 2024 by Sarah

If your lawn receives a lot of foot traffic or is used frequently by pets, your turf can often struggle to stay lush and thick. In this blog, we take a look at what you can do to help ensure your lawn performs at its best in high-traffic areas.

How Can I Help Stop Soil Compaction?

Aerating your lawn is key to helping stop compaction-related issues. By aerating your soil, you create more space for air, water, and nutrients to reach the root zone of your turf more effectively. A stronger root system allows the lawn to withstand stress better. By stopping soil compaction, if your turf does become damaged, it will be able to grow back to the area more effectively.

If your lawn is in a high-traffic area, aerating your lawn once or twice a year (depending on the extent of foot traffic) can help stop compaction issues.

Can Regular Mowing Can Help Improve Your Lawns Wear Tolerance?

Mowing on a regular basis will also help improve your lawn wear tolerance. Regular mowing will help ensure your lawn is thick, healthy and less susceptible to disease.

When a lawn is mown irregularly, it will weaken the plant while taking lots of the grass’s nutrients with it also. When this occurs, the grass will become weaker and more susceptible to weed invasions.

So, when mowing, ensure you take a small amount off the leaf regularly for a healthy lawn. As a guide, it is best to ensure you are mowing regularly enough so that only one-third of the leaf is removed with each pass.

Will Fertiliser Help My Lawns Wear Tolerance?

By applying fertiliser to your lawn, you will help replace any lost nutrients and give the lawn a good boost in growth. Most turf types will generally need 2-3 applications per year of a well-rounded fertiliser, something like our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser. We recommend an application in Spring and then again in Autumn to help the grass transition into warmer and cooler temperatures.

Can Sunlight Help My Lawn Better Withstand Foot Traffic?

Just like other plants, grass needs sunlight to grow. When grass receives more sunlight, it will be able to grow at a faster rate and will be able to thicken up. When turf receives limited light, it will do the opposite. The turf will struggle to thicken up and grow slower, making it more susceptible to wear damage.

If your lawn receives lots of foot traffic, ensure your area gets plenty of sun. If light is limited, where possible, increase sunlight by pruning back any surrounding trees or shrubs that are shading the area.

What is the Best Turf for High Traffic Areas?

If your lawn receives lots of foot traffic or is home to active pets and kids who use the area regularly, we recommend TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda. TifTuf has a beautiful, soft, fine leaf that feels great underfoot. TifTuf needs a minimum of 5-6 hours of direct light and is very drought-resistant. It also has a good wear tolerance and a fast-repairing nature.

Another great option to consider is Sir Walter DNA Certified. Sir Walter DNA has a soft broadleaf, is great with pets and kids, and is low maintenance.

If you would like some further information on choosing the best turf type for your home, contact your local Lawn Solutions Australia member. They can guide you through the process of choosing the best turf type for your home and needs.

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

Weird Lawn Phenomena

Posted on June 26, 2024November 13, 2024 by Sarah

From mysterious frost patterns appearing overnight to sinkholes and lawn ‘pimples’, some pretty weird and rare phenomena can occur on our lawns. In this blog we take a look at a few of them…

Leopard Print Frost Damage

Have you ever woken up on a winter’s morning to see your lawn covered in a weird, leopard print pattern? Frosts occur when there is little to no wind, clear overnight skies, and overnight temperatures at or below zero. The frost is caused by dew on the grass freezing, typically early in the morning before the sun rises. Eye-striking patterns can occur, particularly on couch grasses, when there are minor changes in the height of the grass. The older leaf can better tolerate the cooler temperatures than the new leaf growth, causing these patterns to occur. This is pattern is also known as unsynchronised dormancy in lawns.

Have you ever seen a ‘Lawn Pimple’?

Lawn Pimple’s are a rarer occurrence that can appear during periods of heavy rainfall and when drainage is poor. These are caused by water becoming trapped underneath the turf and on top of the soil, causing the turf on top to rise, like a pimple would. These lawn pimples can be incredibly satisfying to jump on and pop!

@lawnsolutionsaustralia

Popping a grass pimple!!! #lawntok #lawncare #lawnsolutions #lawnsolutionsaustralia

? original sound – Lawn Solutions Australia

Stinkhorn Fungus Smell Worse Than They Look!

Stinkhorn Fungus is not only an eyesore but also imitates the smell of rotting flesh on purpose! It produces a dark brown to black slimy and smelly material that attracts flies, who then spread the fungus spores! This fungus is common in coastal areas, usually growing between February and May. It will usually grow in areas where there is lots of leaf litter or mulch. Thankfully, the fungus is not considered toxic.

If your lawn encounters Stinkhorn Fungus and you wish to remove it, you can dig and remove the entire fungus. When removing it, ensure you remove the underground structure and dispose of it in a sealed bag to help prevent the spread.

A Ring of Faries Dancing

Fairy Rings are a unique sight to see! They will either have a full circle or arc of discoloured turf, with the perimeter usually much greener, surrounded by a ring of mushrooms! They will usually appear around 2m wide and can be found in forest areas but can also occur on grasslands or lawns. The mushrooms themselves won’t cause any damage to the lawn. However, it is the ring of discoloured turf will.

If your lawn happens to have Fairy Ring, you can find more information on treatment here.

Have You Ever Seen a Sink Hole?

Sink Holes are another fascinating phenomenon that can occur on our lawns. Usually, if there is a sink hole in a backyard, it is caused by either a tree stump not being removed, debris that is rotting within the soil, or areas not being compacted from earthworks in yards. This can then create empty space within the soil profile, causing the surrounding soil to fall and create a hole at the surface.

Below is a photo of a recent sinkhole that opened up on a sports field in Illinois, USA.

You’ve heard of Prawns in the Ocean, But What About Your Lawn?

Did you know there is such thing as a Lawn Prawn? Lawn Prawns, also known as Forest Hoppers, are commonly found in healthy soils and will usually go unnoticed. Unlike normal prawns that love the water, Lawn Prawns will rise up to the surface during heavy periods of rainfall, where you will then notice them! These little critters shouldn’t be removed if present, as they can be quite beneficial to your soil’s health.

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

What is The Best Lawn for Dogs?

Posted on June 26, 2024November 13, 2024 by Sarah

If you are a dog owner installing a new lawn, it is best to find a grass type that is best suited for them, as they are likely the ones who will be using the lawn the most. So, what is the best grass for dogs? Let’s take a look.

What is the Best Grass for Dogs?

Generally speaking, the best grass for dogs is TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda. TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda has an excellent wear tolerance and a speedy growth rate. So if it becomes damaged, it can repair quickly. TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda can repair itself quickly due to its above and below-ground runner system. So, if all the grass material above the surface is worn away, the grass can be repaired from its underground rhizome and runner system for quicker repair. TifTuf has a beautiful, soft, fine leaf that feels great underfoot and is the only turfgrass in Australia to be awarded with the Smart Approved Watermark for its super drought tolerance.

However, there are a few other factors you should consider when choosing a type of grass for your area, including how much sunlight the area receives and maintenance requirements.

What is The Best Grass for Dogs in Shaded Areas?

If your area is shaded, your best option for grass with pets will be either Sir Walter DNA Certified or Zoysia Australis. Both Zoysia Australis and Sir Walter DNA Certified have a good shade tolerance. They both need a minimum of 4 hours of direct light per day to thrive. However, it is important to note, if your area gets plenty of shade and will get getting lots of wear, the lawn will wear down a lot faster than an area that receives full sun.

As the TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda as a sun loving couch grass, it will need more light, a minimum of 5-6 hours per day to thrive.

What Is the Best Low-Maintenance Grass with Dogs?

If you are after a low-maintenance lawn, Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo and Zoysia Australis are great options to consider. These grasses have a moderate growth rate and good wear tolerance, needing only a modest amount of mowing.

With grasses that are faster repairers, like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda and Eureka Kikuyu, they will need more frequent mowing.

What Grass Should I Choose?

If you have a large dog or active smaller dogs who will frequently be using the area, our recommendation is to look at using a hard-wearing, fast-repairing grass like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda.

If you have only one dog or a few dogs that are not quite as active, you will have a few more options to consider. Some good choices include Sir Walter DNA Certified, Zoysia Australis, TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, and Eureka Kikuyu.

Which Grass is Best with Dog Urine Burns?

If your area does become affected by urine burn, using a grass with a fast-repairing nature will mean your lawn will get back to looking its best sooner. A grass like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda or Sir Walter DNA Certified are ideal.

For more specific advice on choosing the best grass type for your area, have a chat with your local Lawn Solutions Australia member. You can find who your local members are here.

Joe’s Lawn Tips

Posted on June 26, 2024November 13, 2024 by Sarah

Do you want to know our favourite tips on how to help keep your lawn in tip-top shape? In this blog, our lawn expert Joe Rogers shares his knowledge on how you can better care for your lawn, plus tips on how you can take your turf to the next level.

What Are Your Two Best Tips When Caring for a Lawn?

The number one thing I always tell people when it comes to lawn care is the importance of regular mowing. If you want a neat, dense, manicured lawn you have to mow regularly. The more you mow, the better your lawn will be! Regular mowing encourages lateral growth making your lawn thicker, denser and better able to withstand wear and weeds. It also looks neater and better to walk and play on.

The second tip is to utilise new technology. Embrace new products that are on the market, in particular preventatives like Oxafert and Acelepryn, like Grub Guard Ultimate. These new technologies solve so many problems for lawn owners and they will end up saving you so much time and money to help your lawn look better. I always encourage people to embrace these new, safe, user-friendly products as they will give you and your lawn all kinds of wonderful benefits.

What is Your go-to Lawn Care Product?

My go to lawn care product is Oxafert. Oxafert stops the most difficult to control weeds like Winter Grass, Summer Grass and Creeping Oxalis from germinating and gives you a little lift with the fertiliser. It’s so easy to use for a pre-emergent as it is available in a granule rather than a spray.

What is Your Best Piece of Advice for Someone Who is New to Caring for Lawns?

Keep it simple. With so much lawn-related info on the web, it is important for people to keep it as simple as possible. Mow regularly, apply preventatives as part of a simple program, and fertilise into and out of the growing season. It is so easy to get lost in the hundreds of products that are on the market when, in reality, you only need 2-3 products and a bit of consistency with application.

How Can Someone Take Their Good Lawn to a Great Lawn?

I’ve said it earlier but a lot of this is in regular mowing. By mowing a little more regularly, your lawn will change an awful lot for the better. If you really want to take your lawn to the next level though, I would strongly encourage you take a look at Plant Growth Regulator’s (PGR) like Primo Maxx. Primo Maxx can really improve the look and feel of your lawn, particularly those that are looking for a short-cut manicured lawn.

How Often Should You Apply Fertilisers to Your Lawn?

The frequency of applying fertilisers will be dependent on the variety. But as a minimum, I would look at granular fertiliser applications, something like our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser at the start and end of your lawn’s growing season. For most people this will be October long weekend and Anzac Day. If your lawn needs it, you could also look at another application around Christmas time. These are nice and easy dates to remember.

What is the Best Way to Remove Weeds from a Lawn?

Always by hand where possible. Only use herbicides if the problem gets totally out of control. For more information on what herbicides to use for treating the weeds in your lawn, check out our Ultimate Weed Guide here for more information.

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

What Olympic Sports are Played on Grass?

Posted on June 26, 2024November 13, 2024 by Sarah

The 2024 Paris Olympics are just around the corner, and turfgrass will be the playing surface for many games! Let’s take a look at some of the sports that will be played on turf and the unique venues where they will be taking place.

What Venue Will Be Hosting the Athletics at This Year’s Olympics?

This year’s athletics events will be held across four venues in Paris: the Hôtel de Ville, Invalides, Stade de France and Trocadèro, with most events at the Stade de France.

Stade de France is the largest stadium in France, with a capacity of 80,698 people. It was originally built in 1998 for the FIFA World Cup and has since hosted many international sporting events.

Where is the Archery Staged at This Years Olympics?

This year’s Archery events will be held at the Esplanade des Invalides. This historically rich venue boasts beautiful gardens and buildings visited by both Parisians and tourists. The Invalides complex was originally built as a retirement home and hospital for French Military veterans. The venue is popularly known as Napoleon’s final resting place.

The venue is going to host three Olympic sports, including Archery, Athletics and Road Cycling. The Archery event will take place within the gardens with rows of trees surrounding the west and east sides.

What Stadium will Feature the Soccer (Football) Match ups at the Olympics in Paris?

The men’s and women’s football are set to be a highlight at this year’s games! As many matches are to be played throughout the tournament, football games will commence a few days before the opening ceremony!

The number of matches played also influences the number of pitches needed. For this year’s games, football will take place across seven venues in France, including Bordeaux Stadium, Geoffory-Guichard Stadium, La Beaujoire Stadium, Lyon Stadium, Marseille Stadium, Nice Stadium, and Parc des Princes. Both the Men’s and Women’s Gold Medal Matches will take place at the Parc des Princes Stadium.

Where Can I Watch the Rugby 7’s in Paris?

The rugby 7’s game will be played at the Stade de France as well. Due to the short nature of the game, only one stadium will be needed, unlike Soccer, which will be played across seven venues.

Which Golf Course is Hosting the 2024 Olympics in Paris?

This year’s Olympic golf tournament will be played at one of Europe’s most prestigious golf sites, The Golf National. The Golf National has previously hosted the Ryder Cup in 2018, the French Open, and the World Amateur Team Championship. The venue is home to three golf venues, two 18-hole courses and a 7-hole beginner course. The L’Albatros 18-hole course is the more well-known course at the facility, commonly used for competitive competitions.

If you are heading out to the Olympics and are an avid golfer, you can play on the same sporting turf after the 13th of August once the games are complete.

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

Weeds to Watch Out for This Winter

Posted on June 6, 2024November 8, 2024 by Sarah

Now that your lawn has slowed down in growth, it can become more vulnerable to weed invasions. So, if weeds are growing, it is best to get on top of them now to help prevent their spread. In this blog, we look at common winter weeds, Winter Grass, Bindii, Chickweed, Richardia and Clover, and how to remove them from your lawn.

How to Remove Winter Grass?

Winter Grass is a pesky weed, and if you have it in your lawn this year, it will return almost every winter if left untreated. Getting on top of the winter grass now will help prevent it from spreading further.

To remove Winter Grass, we recommend using a post-emergent herbicide like Amgrow Winter Grass Killer (safe for use on most grasses including, buffalo, couch and zoysia. Not safe for use on kikuyu, rye, and fescue lawns). If you do have a kikuyu lawn, another herbicide option is the Munns Winter Grass Killer.

To help prevent winter grass from returning, we recommend using a pre-emergent herbicide like Oxafertor Oxafert Plus. These products will help stop Winter Grass seeds in the soil from germinating and growing. Pre-emergents are best used just before temperatures are set to cool in your region, but can be used in conjunction with a post emergent herbicide if it has already started to grow in your lawn.

How to Remove Bindii from My Lawn?

Bindii is another weed that starts to grow in winter. In early spring, it goes to seed, producing a prickly seed pod. This weed can be identified by its fern and carrot leaves, growing low to the ground.

As the Bindii will go to seed in spring, it is best to get on top of it now. To remove Bindii from growing in your lawn, use a broadleaf herbicide like All Purpose Weed Control for removal.

How Do I Stop Chickweed from Growing in My Lawn?

Chickweed is another common winter weed that can grow in our lawns. It has paired leaves protruding opposite one another. As temperatures rise in spring, white flowers bloom in clusters at the end of a stem.

If there is only a small amount of Chickweed growing, usually the best and easiest removal method is by hand. If there is a more considerable amount growing, you can look at using a broadleaf herbicide for removal. Something like All Purpose Weed Control, Amgrow Bin Die or Amgrow Multiweed.

How Can I Remove Richardia from My Lawn?

Richardia, also known as Mexican Clover, is another common weed that can grow in your lawn. It typically flowers in spring and autumn, so treating it now can help prevent its spread. This weed also has a large tap root, making hand removal difficult.

To remove Richardia, it is recommended to use a herbicide with Dicamba as the active ingredient (not buffalo safe). Something like Amgrow Multiweed or Kleen Lawn is ideal. If you do have a buffalo lawn, you can try repeated applications of a buffalo safe broadleaf herbicide like Amgrow Bin Die however results may be limited. Alternatively, you can carefully spot treat with a non-selective herbicide like roundup. When using roundup, you will need to be careful to only apply it to the weed and not your lawn as it will harm it also. We recommend using a weed wand to help with an accurate application.

How Do I Remove Clover from My Lawn?

Clover can easily be identified by its oval-shaped leaves and white circular markings. This weed will usually grow in leaflets of 3 and produce either a white or pink flower. Due to its small creeping stem, it can often be difficult to remove by hand.

To remove Clover, a broadleaf herbicide will be able to get on top of it fairly quickly. Something like All Purpose Weed Control or Amgrow Bin Die is ideal and safe for use on most lawn types.

If your lawn has a weed growing that we haven’t mentioned, make sure you check out our Ultimate Weed Guide here.

Importance of Soil Health for a Healthy Lawn

Posted on June 6, 2024November 14, 2024 by Sarah

Did you know that the health of your soil can affect your grass? Just as other gardens need a good mix of organics and nutrients within the soil to thrive, so too does your lawn! In this blog, we look at how drainage, compaction, and soil components can impact your lawn to ensure your grass is performing at its maximum potential.

How Does Drainage Affect My Lawn?

When your lawn’s drainage is poor, it can cause a multitude of problems, including fungus, disease, and weed infestations. Usually, the best time to address any drainage issues is before you install any turf. However, if you already have a lawn and there are issues with drainage, here are a few tips that can help:

Aerate the soil with a garden fork. This will help improve the permeability, allowing water to travel within the soil profile.
If your soil has a high amount of clay, top dressing will help improve the soil profile. However, it is best to wait till spring to do this and not recommended in winter.
If there are more extensive drainage issues, it is best to reach out to your local drainage expert or landscaper. They will be able to provide advice on the right drainage solution for your area.

Why is a Compacted Soil Bad for My Lawn?

When your lawn’s soil has become hard and compacted, it can make it difficult for the roots of the grass to grow within the profile. This can also affect the ability of air, water, and nutrients to travel within the soil. If you need to determine whether or not your lawn has a compacted soil base, we recommend doing a test with a screwdriver. Use a screwdriver and insert it into the soil base. If it is difficult to push down into the soil, you may need to look at aerating.

To aerate your soil, we recommend using either a garden fork or tyne aerator. Insert the fork into the lawn and wriggle it back and forth to fracture the soil profile. Aim for a spacing between the holes of around 8 – 10cm. To achieve adequate aeration, you may need to go over the area twice in a different direction each time.

What pH Should My Soil Be for Turf?

Turf generally prefers a soil pH between 5.5-7, however some grasses like buffalo can grow well in more alkaline soils up to 8. If your soil is outside of this range, it can make it hard for your grass to absorb nutrients effectively.

To test your soil’s pH, you can pick up a soil test from your local hardware store, nursery or from our online store here. Most will require you to collect samples from around your lawn for a more accurate reading.

How Can I Help a Hydrophobic Soil?

If your soil struggles to absorb water and pools at the surface, this is a sign that your lawn has become hydrophobic. If your lawn is unable to absorb water effectively, it can cause dry patches within the turf and can cause heat stress. To help amend a hydrophobic soil, apply a wetting agent. Wetting agents, like Lawn Soaker will help water soak into the soil, making it more available for your lawn to use. This will also help improve your lawn’s ability to hold nutrients and increase its drought tolerance.

What Type of Soil is Ideal for Turf?

Your lawn will usually prefer to have a mix between an organic loam and sand. This will ensure there is a good amount of nutrients within the soil and is free draining. If you are looking to install a new lawn, usually it is best to use a sandy loam (80% sand 20% loam) or a turf underlay mix.

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