Month: July 2023

When it comes to lawn care, there are some activities that your turf will praise you for, but others that should be avoided. In this blog, we look at what lawn care mistakes to avoid that can cause more damage than good.

1. Infrequent mowing

One common lawn care mistake is not mowing your lawn frequently enough. Not mowing your lawn frequently can result in having an overgrown lawn and can cause extra stress to your grass. This stress can make your lawn thin and sparse, especially after mowing.

So how should I mow my lawn? We recommend using the one-third rule when mowing. This rule looks at mowing your lawn regularly enough so that only one-third of the leaf is removed with each pass. During the cooler months, the lawn will be growing at a slower rate. This means you won’t need to mow as frequently. However, during the warmer months, you will need to mow more frequently to keep up with accelerated growth.

2. Compacted soil base

When a lawns soil base is compacted, it can be more difficult for water, nutrients, and air to travel down to your lawn’s roots. It also makes it more difficult for your lawn to establish a good root system. Some issues that can arise from a compacted soil base include drainage issues, bare patches, weeds, dry patch, and fungal diseases, to name a few.

What can a compacted soil base be caused from? Compaction mainly occurs when there is heavy traffic on your lawn and a lack of water.

So, what should you do if your lawn has a compacted soil base? We recommend giving your lawn an aerate with a garden fork or use a tyne aerator to help alleviate compaction.

3. Over-fertilising your lawn

Applying fertilisers to your lawn is a good thing and can help improve the health of your lawn. But too much of a good thing can cause harm to your lawn. Over-fertilising your lawn will cause sudden plant growth. The problem with this is that the roots won’t experience the same amount of rapid growth and will then be unable to supply the water and nutrients your grass needs. In addition, as fertiliser is primarily made up of mineral salts, excessive fertilising will cause salts to build up in the soil, making it difficult for water to be absorbed, drying out your grass, causing discolouration and possibly even plant death if bad enough.

When applying fertilisers to your lawn, it is best always to follow the correct application rate and instructions and ensure you water correctly after application.

4. Letting weeds invade your lawn

Having weeds grow your lawn is expected from time to time. But if weeds are left untreated, they will continue to grow and spread throughout your lawn. Therefore, treating weeds as they appear to prevent the spread is best.

5. Watering your lawn incorrectly

When it comes to watering your lawn, there are a few golden rules to follow:

• Water your lawn for longer, less frequently.

This will help encourage your lawn to grow its roots deep down into the soil profile, helping improve the drought tolerance of your lawn.

• Water in the morning before the heat of the day.

It is best to avoid watering in the late afternoon and evening to help stop your lawn from sitting damp overnight. Watering at this time can lead to fungal issues as the lawn will sit damp for a long period of time. Watering in the morning can help prevent these issues from arising.

6. Incorrect application of lawn care products

One common lawn care mistake is incorrectly applying lawn care products. When using lawn care products, it is vital to ensure you read and follow application instructions and rates. If these are not followed, the product may be ineffective with what you want to achieve. It can cause other issues, including burning and in extreme cases, killing your lawn. If you are unsure of how to apply a lawn care product, it is always best to check with the product manufacturer before application.

7. Not enough sunlight

Just like all plants, grass too needs sunlight. Sunlight allows grass to produce the food it needs to survive. Glucose, otherwise known as sugar, is produced by the grass and is used as food to help your lawn grow. Without sunlight, your lawn will not be able to produce glucose, causing the grass to thin out and die.

While all turf varieties need sunlight to thrive, some are more shade tolerant than others. This means some varieties can better absorb sunlight than others. Generally, the wider the leaf blade on the grass, the more shade tolerant a turf variety will be. If you are unsure of what turf type is best for your area, it is best to have a chat with us.

8. Poor drainage 

A lawn with poor drainage can develop many problems. These include fungal, disease, weed infestation and even lead to your grass dying. So, correcting any issues with your lawn’s drainage will help prevent issues from arising next time you get a large downfall of rain.

9. Blunt mowing blades

Another common lawn care mistake is mowing with blunt mower blades. Did you know your mower blades will go blunt over time, like a razor? Blunt mower blades will rip at your grass. This not only looks bad but isn’t good for the health of your lawn. If you suspect that your mower has blunt blades, or are wanting to do a routine check-up, tilt the mower up with the front wheels pointing upwards and the handle flat to the ground.

When inspecting the mower blades, if they have any cracks, bends, extremely thin blades or even holes in the blades fin – then your blades need to be replaced. If there is still plenty of meat left on your blades and they are in their correct shape, they may simply need to be sharpened.

10. Soil pH is too acidic or alkaline?

If your lawn is not performing very well or not responding to fertiliser, this could be due to your soils pH. pH is a measure of acidity and alkalinity. Most lawns like to be in the 6 to 7.5 range for optimum performance. Measuring a soil’s pH is easy to do and doesn’t involve a complicated scientific experiment. All you need is a pH testing kit and they are readily available at hardware stores and nurseries.

If your soil’s pH is outside the recommended range of 6-7.5 you may need to adjust this.

As always, if you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to contact us for free expert advice on 1800ALLTURF (1800255873) or 07 5543 8304.

Let’s take a look at some of the main varieties of grasses from around the world…

Did you know there are over 10,000 different types of grasses found across the world? With hundreds of thousands of variations found within these different types and genus.

Many of us know some of the main varieties of grasses that feature in Australian lawns. Buffalo Grass, Kikuyu Grass and Couch Grass being the three most common that we see in the majority of home lawns and public areas across the country. With many other native grasses that can be found across the landscape and bushland areas as well.

But what about the rest of the world? What grasses do they have for their lawns? Do they grow kikuyu in England? Do the Americans have buffalo grass?

Asia

The Asian continent covers a large area and as result experiences a vast range of climate conditions. Grasses most synonymous with Asia include the group of grasses known as Zoysia’s. These grasses thrive in hot conditions, particularly in East Asia with the temperate and tropical climate.

Common grasses of the Zoysia Grass genus include – Japonica (Korean Grass or Japanese Lawngrass), Matrella (Manila Grass) and Macrantha (prickly couch). Many of these grasses have also found their way to Australia with similar climate conditions experienced here.

Centipede Grass is another grass variety also found in Asia native to Southern China. Like many of the zoysia’s, Centipede Grass grows quite slowly and doesn’t require frequent mowing.

The USA

The USA, like Asia, experiences significant differences in climate from the north to the south, which has also led to a large variety of grasses being used for lawns. In addition to this, the USA has taken a leading role in developing and breeding new turf varieties, primarily stemming from the performance needs of their highly competitive sports industry.

Some of the common grasses you might see in USA lawns include:

• Kentucky Blue Grass (KBG) is a cool season grass type that performs well in the more northern states and has an admired blue-green colour. While Kentucky is known as the Bluegrass state, KBG is actually native to northern Asia and parts of Europe.

• Bermuda Grass (Couch Grass) is a warm season grass commonly used in the more southern states and performs well in over 100 countries within tropical and subtropical climates. Bermuda grass is known for its hard wearing, fine leaf and is commonly used on sports fields as well as home lawns.

• St Augustine (Buffalo Grass) is a thick, broad leaf, warm season grass well known for high shade tolerance and weed resistance. St Augustine primarily grows best in the south-eastern USA states including Texas, and also in Mexico and South America.

Other grasses commonly found in US lawns include Perennial Ryegrass, Zoysia Grass, Bahia Grass, Fescue and Seashore Paspalum.

Europe

When you think of Europe you primarily think of the cold climate areas that for many months of the year experience snow and frost. These areas almost exclusively will feature lawns of the cool season grass varieties. Those that grow best in colder conditions like Fescue and Ryegrass. In fact, it’s common for a blend of these cool season varieties be used together in the same lawn.

Common cool season grasses found across Europe include:

Creeping Red Fescue, Ryegrass, Common Bentgrass, Annual Meadowgrass and Brown-top Bent Grass.

Africa

Kikuyu grass that is also found in Australia was originally from the highland regions of East Africa and named after the Kikuyu tribe. Kikuyu is still the most popular lawn variety in many African countries, with another indigenous grass known as LM grass.

LM Grass has other common names you might recognise including Durban Grass and Sweet Smother Grass. LM Grass has a creeping growth habit like kikuyu, but it grows much less invasively. Other warm season grasses like buffalo and couch are also prevalent in many African countries.

As always, if you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to contact us for free expert advice on 1800ALLTURF (1800255873) or 07 5543 8304.

Welcome to our guide on essential lawn care equipment! Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a beginner ready to delve into the world of lawn maintenance, having the right tools will help you achieve a healthy and picturesque lawn. In this blog, we will explore a variety of must-have lawn care equipment.

What Lawn Mower is Best for Me?

Lawn mowers are the first piece of lawn care equipment you should have in your garage. Mowing your lawn regularly will not only help ensure your yard is kept tidy but will help keep your lawn healthy. Purchasing your own mower is worth the investment. Regular mowing is important whether you want to do minimal work with your lawn or take it to the next level.

We recommend mowing your lawn frequently enough so that only one-third of the leaf is removed with each pass. This is known as the one-third rule. During the warmer months, while your lawn is actively growing, you will need to mow more frequently compared to the cooler months when grass slows in growth. Mowing your lawn using the one-third rule will help limit the amount of stress caused to the plant and help avoid scalping.

The type of mower you decide to go with will depend on a few factors, including lawn size, budget, and personal preference. The popular go-to choice for most home owners is the rotary mower. Rotary mowers are especially popular for buffalo lawns, including Sir Walter DNA Certified, Zoysia Australis and Kikuyu lawns as they prefer a higher cut. Rotary mowers have spinning blades rotating on a vertical axis under a cutting deck. They work best on a medium to high cut and are now available as both petrol and battery powered. Some trusty rotary mower brands to look out for include Honda, Victa, Toro, Bosh, Ryobi, Masport, Ozito, Makita and Husqvarna.

If you have a couch lawn, like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, or a Zoysia lawn like Sir Grange Zoysia, or are after a lower cut, you may want to consider using a cylinder mower. Cylinder mowers will also produce a cleaner cut compared to a rotary mower as it will cut the grass and not tear it.

Why Should I Use a Knapsack or Pressure Sprayer?

Now that we have mowing your lawn under control let’s look at how you can apply other lawn care products to get the most out of your turf. Most lawn care products will come in a concentrate that need to be dissolved in water. This mix can then be applied to the lawn with a knapsack or pressure sprayer, allowing the product to be evenly applied.

There are a few different types of sprayers that you can use, from battery powered, handheld and backpack sprayers, each with different water volume sizes. For a smaller lawn, a smaller handheld sprayer like the Husqvarna 1.5L Manual Sprayer can do the job effectively. For a larger area, you should consider using a backpack sprayer or a battery powered sprayer like the 8L Battery Handheld Sprayer, or the Husqvarna 15L Battery Backpack Sprayer.

What Are the Advantages of Using a Fertiliser Spreader?

For using granular fertilisers and other granular products, you will get a much more even product application of your product when using a granular spreader compared to spreading the granules out by hand. When the trigger is pulled on a fertiliser spreader the granules are dispersed at an even rate. Fertilising without a spreader can result in an uneven growth throughout your turf.

Like the other products mentioned, a range of options are available for different area sizes. Handheld spreaders are ideal for small to medium lawn sizes. If you have a larger area, a battery-powered handheld spreader or a walk-behind spreader can be an easier option to use.

As always, if you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to contact us for free expert advice on 1800ALLTURF (1800255873) or 07 5543 8304.

One of, if not the most important steps in servicing your lawn mower, is making sure your mower blades are sharp and in good condition.

Blunt mower blades will rip at your grass, which not only looks bad, but isn’t good for the health of your lawn.

How do I know if they should be sharpened or replaced?

In order to determine whether they should be sharpened or replaced you need to inspect their current condition. To do so, tilt your lawn mower up with the front wheels pointing upwards and the handle flat to the ground or bench. This will ensure no oil flows where it shouldn’t, causing you even bigger problems.

If the blades have any cracks, bends, extremely thin blades or even holes in the blades fin – then your blades need to be replaced.

If there is still plenty of meat left on your blades and they are in their correct shape, they may simply need to be sharpened.

For most people, the easiest fix is to have your mower blades looked at by a professional. If you are not confident or short on time, your best option is to drop your lawn mower off at your local mower shop. The experts will be able to give the whole unit a once-over. It can be a good idea to undertake a mower service every 12 months or so, leaving your mower ready to go when you need it during the warmer months.

If your blades just need a sharpen or you are confident in replacing them yourself, here’s how to go about it for most standard lawn mowers…

How to replace your mower blades

Tools

Socket Wrench and sockets

Allen Key Set

New blades kit

Step 1. Disconnect your spark plug lead from your spark plug.

Step 2. Tilt mower upwards, front wheels in the air and handle to the bench or ground as mentioned above.

Step 3. Using the wrench, you can remove the main bolt securing the base plate to the cutting deck. Then remove the blade bolts. Or you can remove the blade bolts while the plate is still attached to the mower. The blade bolt head may require the use of an Allen key to stop them from spinning while you remove the nut.

Step 4. Remove old blades and put your new blades in place on the bottom of the base plate. The base plate will spin anti-clockwise so make sure the cutting edge of the new blades is directed towards the direction they will spin. A mower blade replacement kit will come with a plastic washer. This goes onto the bolt on the bottom of the base plate. It will also come with a steel washer for the underside and the nut to tighten it in place.

If you are going to sharpen your blades, make sure you are very careful as to only take the slightest amount off the blade and keep it even, so you don’t throw the blades out of balance.

Step 5. Put your new washer and bolts on and secure them in place tightly. The blades should still move if a decent amount of force is applied. This will enable them to absorb a hit from a large obstacle or rock avoiding damage to other components.

As always, if you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to contact us for free expert advice on 1800ALLTURF (1800255873) or 07 5543 8304.

When looking to landscape your area, it’s important to factor in how different plants, trees and turf types will interact. Using the right selection of plants in the right areas will help ensure your garden performs well seasonally and stay healthy and thrive.

Selecting Plants for Your Garden

When looking at plants to use in your garden, choosing the right plant for the right place is important. Some considerations to look for include the following:

• Light availability
• Plant growth habits
• Soil type
• Water availability and drought tolerance
• Foliage

For information on the best plants to use around a lawn, check out our blog here.

Other options to consider are native plants. Native plants are a great option as they can usually survive on rainfall alone, are low maintenance, and improve biodiversity while providing shelter and food for native bees, birds, and insects.

If you want to grow your own veggies, having a raised garden bed is a great idea! Raised garden beds will be less susceptible to compaction and have better drainage. When choosing what to grow, it is important to consider what is currently in season.

Where to Plant In Your Garden

A popular option when choosing where to grow your plants is around fence lines and around your house. This can help soften any constructed outdoor space and can add another layer to your landscape. Having your plants across your outdoor space boundary lines and house will also allow more area for kids and pets to play.

Picking The Right Turf Type for Your Home

When it comes to picking the right turf type for your home, it is important to consider a few different factors to ensure your lawn will look great and be fit for purpose. We recommend considering who will be using the lawn including pets and kids, how much shade your lawn will receive in winter and summer, and maintenance requirements.

For a shaded area, you will need to use grass with a higher shade tolerance. A shade-tolerant variety like Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo will need a minimum of 3-4 hours of direct light to thrive. If your area gets 5-6 hours of light, you can use a Hybrid Bermuda variety like TifTuf.

If your lawn area will have regular foot traffic, choosing a turf type with a high wear tolerance and a fast-repairing nature will be important. Sir Walter has a good wear tolerance; however, it will take longer to repair if it becomes damaged. If your area needs both a good wear tolerance and fast repairing nature, we look at TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda.

For a high-end show garden area, why not look at using a premium turf type like Sir Grange Zoysia! Sir Grange Zoysia is a slower-growing grass that has a beautiful dark green colour that looks great, both mown and unmown!

As always, if you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to contact us for free expert advice on 1800ALLTURF (1800255873) or 07 5543 8304.

ColourGuard Plus is a fantastic lawn pigment that can instantly improve your lawn’s colour. ColourGuard is especially great to use in winter when lawns can naturally lose some colour. In this blog, we go into detail of how to apply both the ready-to-use and concentrate ColourGuard Plus.

What sizes does ColourGuard Plus come in?

ColourGuard Plus comes in a variety of sizes to suit both home and commercial applications.

• ColourGuard Plus 2L Hose-on. Covers 150m²
• ColourGuard Plus 100ml Concentrate. Covers up to 200m²
• ColourGuard Plus 2.5L Concentrate. Covers up to 6,250m²

How to apply ColourGuard Plus hose on?

1.Shake bottle well

2. Remove cap and screw on hose on attachment

3. Attach hose to connector

4. Turn on hose

5. Remove green tab

6. Pull black tab up to allow product to spray

7. Once finished, push black tab back down to stop water flow and plug in green tab

8. Turn off hose

How to apply ColourGuard Plus concentrate?

1. Shake bottle well

2. Measure out how many m2 you are wanting to cover

3. Use the application rate table to determine your application rate

3. Measure how much ColourGuard Plus will be needed

4.Fill your tank with water first, then add the recommended amount of pigment

5. Give your tank a quick mix to ensure the concentrate has diluted throughout the tank

6. Spray your mix to the area

7. Once finished, give your sprayer and nozzle a rinse with clean water

If you want to increase the intensity of the pigment, you can add more ColourGuard Plus to your sprayer.

Common questions about applying ColourGuard Plus

• Is ColourGuard Plus safe to use on all lawn types? Yes, ColourGuard is safe to use on all lawn types!
• Is ColourGuard Plus safe to use around pets? Yes, it is safe to use around pets. However, we recommend keeping pets off the lawn for a few hours to ensure the pigment has properly dried and absorbed into the leaf. After the pigment has been absorbed, we also recommend watering the lawn to wash off any excess product the grass hasn’t absorbed.
• Can ColourGuard Plus be used year-round? Yes, it can be applied at any time throughout the year.
• How long will the pigment last on the lawn for? Once applied, the pigment is locked into the leaf. Therefore, the pigment will be removed with the leaf when the lawn is mown.
• What can I do if I apply the ColourGuard to another surface? If you apply the pigment to another surface, it is best to wash it off immediately with water to avoid staining.
• Will ColourGuard Plus work on dead grass? As this product needs to be absorbed into the leaf of the grass, it will work best on a lawn that is healthy. If applied to a dead lawn, the grass won’t be able to absorb the pigment. It may still give it a slight green up; however, it won’t work as effectively when applied to healthy grass.

If you would like to know more information on applying ColourGuard Plus or any of our other lawn care products, please reach out.

As always, if you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to contact us for free expert advice on 1800ALLTURF (1800255873) or 07 5543 8304.