We all have those problem areas of our yard that just don’t seem to do as well as the rest of the lawn. Most of the time these patchy eyesores are due to the common problem of shade. Use our common sense tips to help banish ugly imperfections in your lawn.

Start off by observing how much sunlight the lawn receives. Take note on the type of light the lawn is getting weather it is dappled light coming through the tree canopy or it may be solid shade for part of the day from a nearby fence or building.

Once you have established this information consider whether or not your area is suitable for grass to grow.

• TURF VARIETY: If you are going to lay a new lawn select a variety of lawn that is appropriate and will tolerate the shade this will make your job a lot easier. We recommend Kings Pride Buffalo.                                                                                                                                    

• TIME OF YEAR: Plant your turf in early spring this will give your lawn time to establish before the harsher winter weather comes along.

• LESS WEAR: If possible divert foot traffic away for the problem areas as this adds to the lawns struggle of having to contend with limited sunlight as well as heavy wear.

• MOWING HEIGHT: Mowing height is very important, adjust your lawn mower to a higher level thus leaving more length on the blades of your grass which is key in the shade where light is limited. This extra surface area on the leaf will allow more light to be absorbed by the plant there-for allowing the lawn to produce more energy to grow.

• CLIPPINGS: After mowing remove any clipping that may be left behind as they will also block the light from getting through.

• DISEASE: You can’t replace sunlight with water and nutrients. This will add to the problem of disease. Your lawn is more prone to disease from the ground moister present in the shade.  Limit your fertilizer applications,  in the shaded areas your lawn will only need ½ the nitrogen than the rest for your lawn. Fertilize on the same schedule however adjust the amount.

• TREE TRIMMING: Trim low laying branches of trees to allow more incidental sunlight in from the sides or consider  cutting  a few large limbs from the top of the tree canopy to brighten the shade helping you lawn to grow stronger.

So with a little observation and care you can have a uniform healthy lawn that you are longing for.

The sun is shining and the weather is warming up, Spring is here! It’s the perfect time to give your tried looking lawn a ‘Spring Spruce Up’.

By having a healthy lawn you will be maximising your lawns drought and shade tolerance as well as helping combat weed growth.

Start by giving your lawn a nourishing feed with a organic or conventional fertilizer that can be purchased from you local garden centre.

Remember to apply your fertilizer with a spreader for even distribution and be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging. It is important to water in if required to prevent the fertilizer from burning your lawn.

Fertilizing can mean additional mowing, however the result is that the grass will have a dark green colour and will kick start growth into summer.

Spring is also the ideal time of year to Top Dress your lawn if it is needed. The main reason you should top dress your lawn is to fill any low spots and dips or you may need to raise the level of your lawn.

Once you have mowed your lawn use a quality sandy loam soil and spread it evenly over  the lawn, leave it a couple of hour to dry then using a turf level-lawn rub the soil into your existing lawn. Don’t water the lawn for 2 – 3 day this is allow the grass to shoot through the soil easily rather than trying to grow through the crusty top you get after you have watered your top dressed lawn.

Top dressing encourages your lawn to grow into the soil medium resulting in a lush thick healthy lawn.

So remember with a little work now your lawn will be healthy and lush ready for the warm season.

At a time when concern about carbon emissions, increasing day to day pressure and the economy  are constantly making news headlines; Did you know that our own humble lawns are helping to ease the strain and help tackle these  problems?

Environmental  values ;

• Oxygen Production
• Soil Erosion Control
• Cooling Effects and Heat Dissipation
• Storm Water Runoff Reduction
• Ground Water Recharge and Soil Restoration
• Dust and Air Pollution Control
• Carbon Absorption and Storage

Economical advantages ;

• Improved Property Value; as published in numerous media outlets of late confirming this.
• Acts as a Fire Barrier for your home.
• Visual Appeal and Community Pride.

Human and Health benefits ;

• Improve Physical and Mental  Health
• Relief from Stress
• Reduction of Pest and Allergy Related Problems
• Visual Appeal and Community Pride

When you look at it, turf is a small investment compared to a bathroom or kitchen renovation  and with minimal effort the return on your investment is not only rewarding for the environment and for your pocket,  it is also improving your family’s quality of life.

Be on the lookout for the assault of the Armyworm, Australian lawns are most susceptible to grub attack during the months of December through to March .

Also know as Lawn Army Grub, it’s appearance may vary depending on your area and the worms maturity. Juvenile worms will be a bright transparent green and as it matures Armyworm become a brownish green colour sometimes with dark and light markings down its sides or back.

Armyworms feed on your lawn in large masses and once their food source has been exhausted they will move on to another area.

This common pest will eat your lawn almost down to bare soil, however the first signs of Armyworm infestations can be noticed when small patches of lawn seem to be cut down near to the ground, almost as if it has been mowed.

If unsure you can check, first prepare a bucket of warm water and add a small amount of liquid soap, something like hand wash or dishwashing liquid will work fine. Pour this soapy solution onto the area, soon any living organism i.e. earth worms, beetles, bugs  will come to the surface including Armyworms if present.

Immediate treatment of your lawn with a pesticide will prevent the infestation getting out of hand. Although the damage is unsightly, your lawns roots should be still intact and it will only be a matter of applying a organic repair fertilizer and with a little TLC your lawn will be back to lush in no time

Is your lawn not looking as good as your neighbour’s lawn? Maybe it’s time to give it some lawn food.

This a great time of year to fertilize your lawn. Use a slow release fertilizer with a blend of Nitrogen,  Phosphorus and Potassium at an approximate analysis of N:12 P:1.5 K:5. Lawn fertilizer can be purchased from your local nursery or garden centre. Be sure to always follow the application instructions on the packaging.

Apply fertilizer evenly with a fertilizer spreader or by hand using a wide sweeping motion, then remember to water it in immediately after application to avoid burning your lawn. Why not take advantage of the wet weather and when it starts raining get out there and fertilize your lawn.

With regular fertilization you will find your lawn will be a more efficient  water user, harder wearing and less susceptible to weed invasion as well as having a deeper darker appearance. One disadvantage is that your mowing frequency will increase for the first month then will normalize thereafter.

All lawns other than turf that has been laid for less than 3 months, will benefit from a good feed. With little effort the results are well worth it.