Lawn Tips

Choosing the right seed

It is important to choose the correct grass for your home. Things like turf quality, appearance and usage should be taken into consideration. Generally grasses are separated into cool or warm season depending upon their climate growth habits.

Cool season

Grow best in temperatures between 15-25°C and include Ryegrass, Fescues, Bluegrass & Bentgrass. They are at their best during the spring and autumn periods and are suited for the cooler climates. eg. Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, ACT and some areas of New South Wales.

Warm season

Grow best in temperatures between 28-32°C and include Couch Grass, Kikuyu and Buffalo Grass. They have better heat and drought tolerance than cool season grasses and are suited to temperate areas. eg. New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. They are stoloniferous grasses which will spread and thicken the turf.

Establishing your lawn

The first step is to prepare the seedbed. Remove any existing grasses and weeds by spraying with a knockdown herbicide and allow 1-2 weeks before continuing. Cultivate the soil to a depth of 8-10cm and spread a Starter Fertiliser and rake level.

Seeding

Even distribution at the correct rate is most important. Low rates will lead to thin turf whilst high rates will cause problems with competition for nutrients causing disease. Broadcast the seed by hand or via a hand held spreader as evenly as possible and avoid sowing on a windy day. Lightly rake or roll the area after completion. Water in gently and keep the area moist until germination and the plants establish.

Fertilising

After applying a Starter Fertiliser at establishment you will need to apply Renovation Plus Fertiliser approximately 6-8 weeks after sowing. Ensure the soil is moist when applying and water in thoroughly to avoid burning.

Wetting Agent

We recommend the use of a granular wetting agent (Wett-up) through the warmer months. This will allow water to penetrate the surface and get moisture to the plants root system. Wett-up’s rate is: 3-5kg / 100m2

Mowing

Let the grass grow to a height of 6cm before its first mow and then reduce the height to 4cm. The worst thing you can do is to cut it too early and too short. Repeat the same procedure for the next few cuts and then you can gradually lower the cutting height.

Watering

It is most important not to let a newly sown lawn dry out. If the weather is warm and windy the seedbed will need to be sprinkled 3 to 4 times a day. As the grass becomes more established you will need to incorporate deep watering less frequently to encourage deeper roots.