Does anyone know who this bloke is?
Tag him, or give us your best guess in the comments below… we’d like to send him some Fertiliser for his new Sir Walter DNA Certified lawn (assuming he got it all home)
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 11 days ago
How to Help a Wet & Soggy Lawn
Has your lawn become wet and soggy this winter and not sure on the best way to help get it back on track? Over winter, shorter daylight hours and increased rainfall can cause issues for your lawn. Let's take a look at some ways you can help a wet and soggy lawn...
Stop additional irrigation:
This one may sound like a given, but if your irrigation system is set on a regular watering schedule and your lawn is sitting wet for extended periods of time, this is your sign to cut this back for just over the cooler months.
Increase sunlight where possible:
If your lawn is in a heavily shaded area, if possible, try to increase sunlight back to the lawn. This may not be possible in all situations if shade is casting from a building or fencing, but if there are surrounding trees and shrubs that are shading the lawn, it is best to give these a prune back.
Aerating your soil:
Aeration of your soil is another great way to help improve a wet and soggy lawn. By reducing soil compaction, you will help allow more air, water and nutrients to move within the soil, not only helping with drainage, but this will help aid in improving overall health of your lawn.
Keep foot traffic to a minimum while turf is wet:
To help avoid any extra damage from occurring while turf is wet, where possible, keep foot traffic from both kids and pets to a minimum where possible. When your lawn is sitting wet, the grass will wear down a lot faster, and as we are in winter, it will take longer to repair.
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 15 days ago
Why Is Moss Growing In My Lawn?
Have you spotted moss growing in your lawn? With cooler temperatures and shorter days, your soil profile will take longer to dry out after rain and irrigation, especially in areas with poor drainage. When this occurs, it will create ideal conditions for moss to grow.
How to Stop Moss:
The best way to stop moss from growing in your lawn is to remove moss's ideal growing conditions. If you do have moss, we recommend the following:
- Stop additional water to the lawn. In most cases, rainfall in winter will be enough.
- Give your soil an aerate. This will help open up the soil profile to allow for better drainage and help oxygen and nutrients reach the roots of your lawn.
- If your area is heavily shaded by surrounding trees and shrubs, we recommend giving these a prune back to help the area dry out quicker.
- Ensure your area has proper drainage. If there are drainage issues and water struggles to drain away after rainfall, you may need to look at installing a drain or ag pipe to help stop water pooling. For more extensive drainage issues, it is best to consult with your local drainage expert.
How to Remove Moss:
To help remove moss growing in your lawn, usually the best and easiest way to remove it is with a spade or rake, and ensure you get underneath it and remove the roots from the ground as you do.
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 18 days ago
How to Help Stop Dog Urine Burns on Your Lawn
Is your dogs urine burn causing unsightly dead patches across your lawn but not sure on if you can prevent these patches from occurring? Lets take a look at some options that could help stop this burning from occurring...
Why Does Urine Burn Occur?
Protein that your dog takes in is excreted through your dogs urine as nitrogen. This concentrate of nitrogen can often cause burns to your lawn, and cause the affected area to die off.
Urine Burn Prevention Tips:
Dog Rocks
One of the most popular options are dog rocks. These work by filtering out impurities from water such as tin, nitrates and ammonia. These impurities are then passed out through urine, resulting in causing urine burn on your lawn. Dog rocks work best after they have been in your dogs water bowl for around 8 hours, therefore topping up your dogs water bowl before you go to bed is best.
Filtered Water
Another option is to fill up your dogs water bowl with filtered water. This is a great option to try if you already use a filtered water jug or have a water filter at home already.
Pet Pee Post
Pet pee posts are another great option to look into. These pee posts work by releasing a pheromone, encouraging your pet to pee where the post is located. This is particularly a great option if you are not wanting to change or alter your dogs diet.
Irrigation
Another option that doesn't change or alter your dogs diet is to immediately irrigate the area after urination. This will help dilute the nitrogen levels that will cause the burning. If you do have an irrigation system, putting on a timer for when your dog is likely to use the area may assist. This may not help the lawn from every burn, but may help stop the severity of the burns.
If you have any other tips that have worked for you, please feel free to share them below!
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 22 days ago
Is Bindii Growing in Your Lawn? Here's Why You Should Remove It Now...
Have you spotted a fine, fern-like weed growing low in your lawn? Well, it could be Bindii. Notorious for its painful prickles with its sharp seeds in spring and summer, early treatment is key. Tackling it before it goes to seed is the best way to save your feet from painful prickles later in the season.
Bindii Key Identifying Features:
- Bunching, carrot like leaves
- Grows flat against the soil in a circular rosette
- Small flowers form at the centre of the plant
Why Should I Treat Bindii Now?
Bindii establishes itself over the cooler autumn and winter months. As temperatures rise in spring, its small flowers mature and harden into prickly seed pods. Treating this weed as soon as you notice it is the most effective way to protect your feet during the warmer months.
How Do I Remove Bindii From My Lawn?
To remove Bindii, we recommend applying a broadleaf herbicide, like as All Purpose Weed Control or Estate Herbicide. For best results, spray your entire lawn area to ensure all Bindii present is treated.
How Can I Help Prevent Bindii & Other Weeds?
The best way to prevent Bindii and other weeds from returning is through regular lawn maintenance. Mowing and fertilising will help create a thick, healthy lawn that naturally blocks out weeds.
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 25 days ago
How does winter shade affect warm season grasses?
Like other plants, turf relies on sunlight to photosynthesise and grow. However, when temperatures drop and daylight hours drop in winter, your lawn's growth slows significantly. During this time, it may also lose some of its colour due to a decrease in chlorophyll production. The good news is that with this slower growth rate, your grass requires less sunlight to survive than it did during the warmer months.
How does shade impact my lawn over winter?
Generally, if your grass gets enough sunlight during the summer, it can handle more shade in the winter. Keep in mind, though, that less light means the ground will stay damp longer after rain or irrigation. Due to this, it's important to make sure the area has good drainage.
How to help my lawn better cope with winter shade?
As your grass is growing so much slower, it can't recover from wear and tear as quickly as it does in the warmer months. If your lawn gets a lot of foot traffic, try to minimise it during winter to prevent damage from occurring.
The best way to prepare your lawn for winter shade is to get it as healthy as possible before temperatures drop. Apply a fertiliser to address any nutrient deficiencies and give it a final growth boost. During autumn, we also recommend mowing regularly to reduce stress on the grass, removing any pesky weeds, and aerating with a garden fork to relieve soil compaction.
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 30 days ago
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4 Common Grass Varieties in Australia & How to Identify Them
Are you unsure of what type of grass your lawn is or are wanting tips on how to better identify common grass types found in Australia? Let's take a look at 4 common types and how to tell them apart from each other...
Buffalo Grass - Stenotaphrum secundatum
Buffalo grass are one of the easier gras types to differentiate from other types of turf. They will have a broader leaf (on average 7.5mm in width) and will spread by their above ground runners. When buffalo grass becomes stressed or in times of seasonal transition, it will produce a seed head which resembles a thin piece of asparagus.
Couch Grass - Cynodon dactylon
Couch grasses are much finer than buffalo grasses (on average couch grasses leaf width is 2.5mm), and have a more invasive growth habit. Couch grasses will have both an above and below ground root structure, which makes it ideal for high wear areas as it will be able to repair from damage quickly. Couch grasses seed head will grow above the grass level. At the top, there will be a cluster of spikes - usually around 2-6 spikes.
Zoysia Grass - Zoysia japonica & Zoysia matrella,
There are 2 main types of Zoysia's that are used in a turfgrass situations, Zoysia japonica's and Zoysia matrella's. Although in the same family of grasses, they will differ slightly in appearance, with japonicas leaf being slightly wider than matrella's leaf. Zoysia seed heads will either be white or purple in colour. The seed heads will feel tough to touch and will grow from the one stem.
Kikuyu Grass - Pennisetum clandestinum
Like couch grass, kikuyu will grow and spread by both an above and underground runner system. Kikuyu grass will have a thicker runner than couch grass and a medium leaf width - width in between buffalo and couch grasses. Kikuyu will have a light green leaf, with a crease running down the middle of the leaf. Kikuyu produces pollen sacs that rise above the leaf blade on fine white filaments, which are often mistaken for spider webs. These filaments typically appear in small clusters of 2–4 flower spikelets. The seeds themselves develop within the leaf sheath, so they aren’t visible from the outside.
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 1 month ago
What Height Should You Mow Your Lawn At?
Did you know that different grass types have different recommended mowing heights? Let's take a look at what height you should be mowing your lawn at...
As different grass types have different growing habits and structures, they each have different recommended mowing heights.
As a general guide, it is best to mow a little longer in winter and shorter during the warmer months. This will help ensure more leaf is available for the grass to grow and absorb sunlight when light is limited in winter and will help the lawn better block out weeds while growth has slowed.
How often should you mow?
We get this question quite a lot and the answer is not always straight forward! Different grass types will grow at different rates in different climates, so the answer will be different for every lawn! However, we always recommend following the one third rule. This is to mow your lawn frequently enough so that only one third is removed with each pass.
Tip: while your lawn has slowed in growth over winter, now is an ideal time to get your mower in shape before temperatures warm back up. If you are needing some tips on how to give your mower and other lawn care equipment a service, check out our blog here - https://lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au/lawn-care/lawn-care-equipment-maintenance-tips/
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 1 month ago
Are Birds Ripping Up Your Lawn?
Have galahs and other birds been ripping up your lawn but not sure why they are doing it, or if there is anything you can do to help stop them? Lets take a look...
There are 2 main reasons why birds will rip at a lawn:
- Kikuyu starch
In kikuyu lawns, galahs in particular, love to feed on the sugary starch from within kikuyu's underground rhizomes. Other lawns like buffalo, zoysia and couch don't contain as much starch, so they are generally left alone. As the rhizomes are located below the soil surface, they will need to dig into the lawn to access these, which will often lead to a scattered mess of grass runners across the lawn.
- Grubs and beetles
Another common reason for birds and other animals for ripping up your lawn is if there is any grubs or beetles within the soil. If there is, birds will often come and feed on them. Usually if this is the case, the feeding birds will keep grub levels under control.
How can I stop these birds?
In most cases, you can leave these birds be and they won't cause too much destruction to your lawn. However, if they are becoming a nuisance, there are a few methods you can try to help keep them at bay.
- Fake owl or hawks (you will need to move every few days so the birds don't become suspicious!)
- Fake snakes (best to move every few days)
- Motion sensor irrigation systems.
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 1 month ago
Do I Need to Mow in Winter?
In winter, warm season turf varieties like couch, buffalo, kikuyu and zoysia grasses will begin to grow at a much slower rate. But why does it slow in growth and can I stop mowing completely over winter? Lets take a look...
Why do lawns grow slower in winter?
Once the average soil temperature drops below 14 degrees, warm season turf types will enter into dormancy. This means that the grass will start to slow in growth and experience some colour loss as a protection method against the cooler temperatures.
Cooler regions like Victoria will experience this more harshly compared to warmer climates like northern NSW and QLD.
Can I stop mowing over winter?
Due to the slowed growth rate of your lawn, the frequency that you need to mow will dramatically slow. However, you may still need to mow once every few weeks to help keep your lawn tidy.
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 1 month ago
What is Onion Weed and What is the Best Way to Remove it?
Onion Weed is one of the most annoying and noxious weeds to remove once it starts growing in your lawn. Here are our tips on identifying and removing Onion Weed...
Onion Weed Identifying Features:
- Thin, waxy & strappy leaves
- White bulb within soil that gives off an onion smell when it is crushed
- White flowers that grow at the top of the stalk
How to Remove Onion Weed:
If there is only a small amount of Onion Weed present, you can remove as much of the plant as possible. When doing this, it is best to get a small shovel or trowel and dig under the entire plant. When doing this, be sure not to shake excess dirt off the pant, or put this back off into compost as there may be bulbs in the soil.
Avoid pulling the plant out as the bulbs in the soil can break away when the plant is pulled. Remaining bulbs that are left in the soil can then go on to rapidly produce more plants.
Alternatively, you can selectively apply a non selective herbicide like Roundup or Zero to the Onion Weed. When doing this you will need to be careful to not apply it to the lawn or surrounding plants as it will harm them also. We recommend using a weed wand, small paint brush, or the yates zero gel to help with an accurate application.
If there is a larger amount of onion weed growing, you may want to look into applying a selective herbicide like Ferris WG Herbicide for removal.
If you would like some further information on removing this weed, please check out our blog here.
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 1 month ago
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u/LawnSolutionsAu — 1 month ago
Does Frost Affect Your Lawn?
Noticed frost on your lawn with these chilly mornings? You might be wondering how frost affect your grass and what you can do about it. Let’s look at why frost forms, how it impacts your lawn’s health, and the best ways to minimise the damage.
Why does my lawn experience frost?
Frost forms when your the ambient air temperature cools down by the loss of heat to the atmosphere, causing frost. This will usually occur when the temperatures have dropped and overnight temperatures are at 0 degrees or below. The frost itself is the result of dew freezing on your lawn.
How does frost impact your lawns health?
After your lawn experiences a frost, you may see some discolouration to your lawn. This discolouration is caused by the moisture inside the leaf blade freezing and expanding, causing the cell walls of the grass to become damaged.
What is the best way to minimise damage?
- Keep foot traffic off the lawn till the frost has melted. If the grass is walked on, you will cause the blades of the grass to break and for further damage to occur.
- A light water in the morning before the sun rises will help melt and remove the frost quicker and more evenly, so less damage will occur.
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 2 months ago
How to fight back against Creeping Oxalis
Have you spotted this weed with heart shaped leaves growing in your lawn but not sure on what the best way to remove it is? Let's take a look at what creeping oxalis is and the best way to remove it when growing in your lawn.
Creeping Oxalis identifying features:
- Small light green and purple heart shaped leaves.
- Small bright yellow flowers - flowers contain 5 petals.
- Runs along the soil surface and produces roots from the leaves as it spreads.
- When seed pods mature they dry out and explode, causing the seed to spread
Creeping Oxalis removal:
If there is only a small amount of Creeping Oxalis present, the best and easiest way to remove it is to carefully pull it out by hand.
If the weed has become a bit more wide spread, a broadleaf herbicide like All Purpose Weed Control or Estate Herbicide may be required. After the weed has been sprayed, you should notice the weed starting to deteriorate 7-10 days after application. If the weed is still growing strong, a second application may be needed.
Creeping Oxalis prevention:
As this weed spreads by its seeds, stopping these seeds before they have a chance to grow in your lawn will help prevent its spread. A pre emergent herbicide like Oxafert or Barricade will create a barrier at the soil level which will affect the germination of any new seedlings, stopping the weed before it becomes visible in your lawn.
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 2 months ago
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Winter Lawn Care Do's & Don'ts
Are you unsure how to best care for your lawn this winter when its growth is slower? Let's take a look at what you should and shouldn't do...
Winter Lawn Care Do's:
- Raise your mowing height. This will help ensure more of the leaf is present to absorb sunlight and nutrients.
- If any weeds do happen to make their way through your lawn this winter, you can still treat and remove them now. No need to wait till spring for removal.
- Look at getting your mower serviced, check over your mower's blades and look over your other lawn maintenance gear. Ensure it is ready to go once spring rolls around.
Winter Lawn Care Don'ts:
- Don't start your lawn renovations now - best to wait till spring once your lawn has started to actively grow again.
- If your lawn needs a boost in nutrients, we don't recommend using a granular fertiliser throughout winter. Granular fertilisers break down and dissolve in the soil when they come into contact with water, where the roots of your lawn can then absorb the nutrients. If your lawn has slowed in growth with the cooler weather, it won't be able to absorb the nutrients effectively. If you do need to give your lawn a nutrient boost in winter, we recommend using a liquid fertiliser that is absorbed by the leaf, like Exceed Liquid Fertiliser.
- Water your lawn. For most regions of Australia, rainfall should cover the vast majority of your lawns' water requirements, and no additional water will be needed. Some telltale signs that your lawn needs additional water are a dry and wilted leaf or if the leaf curls up on itself.
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 2 months ago
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Can I Fertilise My Lawn In Winter
Once the average soil temperature in your area drops below 14 degrees, warm-season grasses like buffalo, couch, kikuyu, and zoysia will start to slow down in growth. During these cooler months, you may also notice your lawn naturally losing some colour—which is perfectly normal.
With this slowed growth, your grass can still absorb nutrients, just not as efficiently as it does in the warmer months. That’s why fertilising is generally best left to spring and autumn, as these are your most important applications of the year.
However, if your lawn is looking a little worse for wear and needs a winter boost, it’s best to stick to a liquid fertiliser like Exceed. Liquid fertilisers are absorbed directly through the leaf of the grass rather than the roots, allowing the plant to take in the nutrients even when the soil is cold.
Ultimately, the best way to ensure your lawn stays healthy through winter is preparation. Giving your grass a strong start by applying a quality fertiliser in autumn, reguarly mowing your lawn so that your grass is not stressed and keeping up with regular lawn care activities will give your lawn the best head start through the cooler months ahead.
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 2 months ago
How wet is too wet to mow your lawn?
After long periods of rainfall, our grass can grow a bit too long for our liking! Although it can be tempting to get out and start mowing right after the rain stops, it is best to wait until the grass has had a chance to dry out before mowing.
Why is it best to wait until the lawn is less wet to mow:
- You will get a cleaner cut. When the grass is wet, your mower will be more likely to tear and bruise the leaves of the grass.
- When mowing while it is wet, it will become more labour-intensive to push your mower through your lawn.
- Mowing wet grass results in an uneven, patchy lawn because water droplets weigh down the blades, causing them to bend during the cut.
- Higher disease pressures. Normally, when a lawn is mown when dry, the clippings will be dry and will be scattered throughout the lawn. When the leaf is wet, this is not the case. The clippings will stick together and form wet clumps of lawn clippings. If these damp clumps of clippings are left to sit on the lawn, they will restrict sunlight, airflow and other nutrients from getting to your lawn. This can also create the perfect conditions for disease to develop. These wet grass clippings will also stick underneath your mower's deck and will need to be cleaned off.
However, we do understand that in some cases, where prolonged rainfall has kept the ground wet for weeks, the need to cut an overgrown lawn outweighs the benefits of waiting for it to dry out.
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 2 months ago
The Right Way to Prune Plants in Winter
Winter is an ideal time to get out in the garden and prune. Doing this now boosts your plants' overall health, shapes them beautifully, and encourages vibrant new growth come spring. Even better? Thinning out branches lets more vital sunlight reach your lawn during the limited winter days.
Where should I cut when pruning?
When pruning, it is best to make your cut just above the node on the plant. The node of the plant is where the stalk of each leaf joins the stem. When a plant is cut just above this, the plant will be able to grow new shoots.
General pruning tips:
- Inspect the plant: Look for dead, diseased, or damaged branches and remove them.
- Use clean, sharp tools: Make clean cuts to reduce the risk of infection.
- Make proper cuts: Cut just above a bud facing the direction you want new growth to go or just outside the branch collar for larger branches.
- Consider the plant’s growth cycle: Ensure you are pruning at a time that won’t disrupt the plant’s natural growth and flowering cycle.
Plants to prune in winter:
Deciduous trees and shrubs
- Fruit trees - apples, pears (late winter)
- Roses (late winter)
- Ash (late winter)
- Hydrangeas (late winter)
Evergreen hedges and shrubs (only light pruning is recommended)
- Boxwood (late winter, early spring)
- Privet (late winter)
Plants to avoid pruning in winter:
Evergreen trees and shrubs
- Camellias (prune after flowering, typically late spring)
- Azaleas (prune after flowering in spring/early summer, typically late spring, early summer)
- Gardenias (prune after flowering, typically late summer, early autumn)
Native Australian plants
- Grevilleas (prune in mid to late spring)
- Banksias (prune after flowering)
- Callistemons (prune after flowering)
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 2 months ago
How to Get Green Grass Fast in Winter
In winter, with the cooler weather, our lawns can slow in growth and can lose some colour as they enter into winter dormancy. Although this colour loss is normal, there is something that you can do to help ensure your lawn stays healthy and green all the way through winter.
How to Green Your Grass Fast
ColourGuard Plus is a natural grass pigment that instantly restores the colour of your lawn. Instead of just coating the blades, it is absorbed directly into the leaf. This provides a much more natural appearance and ensures the plant's natural functions aren't disrupted. Best of all, ColourGuard Plus is biodegradable, free from harsh chemicals, and completely safe to use around kids and pets.
How Long Does ColourGuard Last?
Since ColourGuard Plus is absorbed by the grass rather than just coating it, the pigment stays locked in the leaf until it's mown off. Because lawn growth slows right down over winter, you don't need to mow as often, meaning a single application can last for up to 3 months.
ColourGuard Plus is available in three handy sizes: a 100ml concentrate or 2.5L concentrate, and a 2L ready-to-use hose-on bottle. The concentrate is best for narrow areas or spraying alongside concrete and timber edges, allowing for a much more precise application. For wide, open lawns, the hose-on bottle is your best bet for quick and easy coverage.
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 2 months ago
Chickweed Removal Tips
Have you spotted some Chickweed growing in your lawn? Here are our tips on removing this weed...
Chickweed Identifying Features:
- Small oval pointed leaves
- Small white flowers
- Fine hairs on the leaf
- Low growing
Chickweed Removal Tips:
If there is only a small amount of Chickweed growing, the quickest and easiest way to remove it is to simply pull it out by hand.
If there is a substantial amount of Chickweed, using a broadleaf herbicide will be the most effective removal option. Something like All Purpose Weed Control or Estate Herbicide are ideal herbicide options.
When it comes to preventing this weed from returning, ensuring you keep on top of regular lawn maintenance will go a long way toward keeping your lawn thick & better able to block out further lawn weeds.
u/LawnSolutionsAu — 2 months ago