Nathan Edwards, Author at Lawn Solutions Australia

5 Summer Sprinkler Solutions

Posted on January 27, 2021January 27, 2021 by Nathan Edwards

Irrigation or sprinkler solutions can be an investment for your lawn, especially throughout dryer seasons, however it can be difficult to determine what is the best choice for you especially when there are many different types on the market.

We have looked into the world of sprinklers to help you find the best choice for you and your lawn size, while considering factors such as cost, coverage and convenience.

Wobble-Tee Sprinkler

The Wobble-Tee Sprinkler works by throwing water in every direction at different distances while rotating in a circular motion. This allows for water to be evenly distributed across your lawn. These sprinklers spray water similar to the way light rain may fall on your lawn. Distributing water in this way helps water soak into the profile of the soil and avoids pooling of water and runoff which can ultimately waste water. The sprinkler also has the ability to connect other sprinklers from the same tap, which is a handy feature when watering over a larger area. The Wobble-Tee Sprinkler price point is higher than other sprinkler options, however they are definitely worth their investment.

Impact sprinkler

Impact sprinklers have two arms, the larger arm spitting water at high pressure and the other hitting the stream of water to distribute evenly. These sprinklers can have a spike that will go into the soil to provide more stability, however, may require a little more time when installing compared to other sprinklers.

Impact sprinklers mostly come with an adjustable arc, which enables you to avoid certain areas in your garden such as kids play equipment. These sprinklers can produce less mist which otherwise can be easily carried away with the wind, allowing for more water to land on your lawn. It is important to also note they can be noisy, depending on the brand and model. These sprinklers do vary in their price point depending on their quality and model. Impact sprinklers are a good option for you if you have a large area to be watered and/or have areas which may need to be avoided.

Oscillating sprinkler

Oscillating sprinklers move in a back and forwards motion across your lawn imitating rainfall. These sprinklers can cover a medium rectangular sized area and are best suited for wide-open areas where no obstacles are where you are wanting to water. Some oscillating sprinklers are not adjustable which may make it more difficult to avoid garden features, such as trees and kids play areas. So, if you are wanting to water a medium sized open area, the oscillating sprinkler is a good option for you.

Stationary sprinklers

Stationary sprinklers are one of the most common types of sprinklers on the market. These sprinklers will usually have a hole at the top where the water is dispersed from and only spread water out to one location. This allows for the targeted area to be watered quickly. Some stationary sprinklers will have adjustable settings to allow you to control where water is released from and what direction they will spray at. These sprinklers are best used for small garden and lawn areas.

Soaker hoses

Soaker hoses have small holes on one side of the hose allowing for water to be distributed across the length of the hose. As these sprinklers do no throw water across an area, less evaporation and water loss will occur compared to other sprinkler types. These sprinklers work best when laid out straight and flat so that water can be dispersed evenly across the selected area. It is also important to note that these sprinklers do have a varying price point, depending on the length, brand and material of the hose. These sprinklers are best used for open lawns or longer narrow lawns such as up the side of the house.

Another more professional and water efficient soaker hose available is the Sumi Soaker. The Sumi Soaker is a lightweight watering solution available in 12.5m length with ready to use fittings perfect for home lawns.

By knowing what type of sprinkler will work best for your lawn and garden area you will be able to water your area more effectively. The best time to water your lawn is early morning or in the late afternoon when there is no wind and less chance for heat related evaporation.

For more information on watering your lawn check out our blog A Complete Guide for Watering Lawns.

Weeds you shouldn’t pull out by hand…

Posted on January 27, 2021February 17, 2026 by Nathan Edwards

‘A weed is just a flower growing in the wrong place’ – This is definitely true in many situations.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to manage many types of weeds is to simply pull them out by hand. If you have some undesirable ‘weeds’ growing in your lawn, then removing them in most cases like this is pretty straight forward. But there are some weeds you shouldn’t pull out by hand.

By doing so, you can actually make the spread of these weeds worse. This is usually as a result of leaving nasty bulbs or nuts behind in the soil, that continue to spread and multiply out of sight before emerging again. A lot of action can be occurring below the ground and it’s important that this is considered before going straight in there for the pull.

If you have any of these particular weeds in your lawn, here’s what you need to know…

Nutgrass

A noxious weed, nutgrass is part of the Sedge weed family which also includes Mullumbimby Couch. Nutgrass gets its name from the nut-like tubers found on the roots (rhizomes) of the plant. This weed is identifiable as it is usually a lighter green than the rest of your lawn and tends to grow taller. Nutgrass has 3 blades that shoot up from the stem and has a triangular stem rather than a circular stem like most grasses.

Treatment

If you find Nutgrass in your lawn, it is best you act quickly before it spreads and becomes almost impossible to remove. If there is only a small amount, you can remove it by digging it out with a small spade, but you have to be extremely diligent with this to ensure there is no roots or bulbs left in the soil, as Nutgrass will reappear if left behind. Simply pulling the nutgrass out by hand will leave these nut-like tubers in the soil, allowing them to continue to spread.

If there is a large amount of Nutgrass in your lawn, you will need to treat it with a selective herbicide such as Sedge Control.

Soursob

Soursobs spread with clover-like leaves along the ground, producing flowers with 5 petals and have a long white tuberous root. Cooler conditions are when Soursobs like to appear in Autumn and Winter. The problem with Soursobs is that they are extremely resilient to herbicides and have a fast-growing system of onion like bulbs growing beneath the surface. In addition to this, they have small secondary bulbs known as bulbils. These bulbils are attached to the root system and each Soursob can have as many as 20 bulbils! When you remove the plant, the bulbils are left behind that then detach and grow into a new plant and the cycle continues.

Treatment

Completely eradicating Soursobs from your lawn will take a bit of time and effort. It is not recommended to remove them by hand, as the bulbils will break off and continue to grow beneath the soil allowing it to reappear. There are also no selective herbicides readily available for domestic lawns that will target the Soursobs, so you will need to take a few other steps to try and remove it. Mowing them off regularly will weaken the plant helping your grass to overcome the infestation. Bulb exhaustion occurs just before flowering, so this is the perfect time to implement your mowing and non-selective herbicide application, when the plant is weak. This is the only stage that physical removal will be an option, by digging up under the plant and removing the soil around it as well.

You will be able to tell the plant is at the exhaustion stage if you carefully dig up a plant – the adult bulb will be shrivelled and the root under the bulb won’t have grown yet or is extremely young and thin. Spot spraying carefully or using a weed wand with an application of Glyphosate (Round Up or Zero) will be your best course of action, but you must be careful when applying as it will kill your turf as well. Acting quickly will also help you to stop them in their tracks before they produce more bulbils.

Onion Weed

Onion weed is a menace in lawns and garden beds right around Australia. It is one of the worst weeds that you can have take-hold in your yard as it is also one of the most difficult to get rid of.

Onion weed is a perennial with thin green strappy leaves growing from a mainly white bulb which gives off an onion smell when crushed. Flowers grow at the top of a long stalk and are mainly white.

Treatment

Eradicating onion weed starts with removing as many of the plants as possible. Do not try to pull the plant out of the ground or shake excess dirt back off into the hole or compost. The small bulblets tend to pull away from the mother plant when pulled, which leaves more bulbs in the ground that will rapidly grow. If possible, dig the weed-clump out of the ground with a spade or a trowel, and throw the entire clump away.

The next step to total eradication of onion weed is to treat the area with either a non-selective herbicide like Roundup or even boiling water.

If you have an extensive problem, onion weed and onion grass (Guildford Grass) can be treated with a selective herbicide called Ferris WG Herbicide.

5 Basics of Lawn Care

Posted on January 27, 2021March 4, 2021 by Nathan Edwards

Whether you are wanting to keep your lawn looking tidy or wanting to make your lawn the best it can be, here’s some basics of lawn care to get you started.

5 Basics of Lawn Care

Mowing

One of the most simple and easy ways to help maintain a good-looking lawn with little hassle is to regularly mow your lawn. By mowing regularly, your house will not only look great from the street but will help your lawn stay healthy.

In summer, many lawn varieties will grow much faster, so more regular mowing will be required to stay on top of new growth. In winter less mowing will be required as your lawn will grow at a much slower rate as it will become dormant.

To ensure that your lawn is getting a clean-cut, sharp mower blades are a must. If your mower blades are blunt, you can either change the blade yourself or drop your mower off at a mower shop and leave it to the experts.

A general rule of thumb is to only remove a third of the leaf at one time to help reduce the stress of your lawn.

If you are feeling a bit flash, take a look at the Husqvarna Auto Mower range. These machines are great as they will regularly mow and return to its charger by its self, giving you a perfectly manicured lawn without the effort of using a push mower.

Fertilising

Fertilisers are a great way to give your lawn the essential nutrients it needs while encouraging growth.

Although there are many options to choose from when searching for fertilisers, a slow or controlled release fertiliser is a good option as it will release nutrients to your lawn over time, keeping it healthier for longer. We recommend using the slow release Lawn Solutions Premium Lawn Fertiliser.

When applying the fertiliser, it is best to spread the product out as evenly as possible. We recommend using a fertiliser spreader and applying fertiliser in an orderly fashion to achieve an even application. To avoid leaf burn, give the area a good water to ensure none of the product is on the leaf. By doing this it will also help stop curious pets from eating pellets.

With most lawn varieties we recommended that you fertilise your lawn 3-4 times a year.

Weeding

When your lawn is healthy and has strong lateral growth, most weeds can be prevented as the lawn can stop other plant material from growing. So, by focusing on encouraging your grass to become strong and healthy, fewer weeds should appear.

When hand removing weeds, it is important to remember to remove the entire root system, as the weed can make a comeback if roots are left behind. Using a weeding tool such as the Fiskars Weed Puller will help make removal easier.

For common weeds such as Bindii, Creeping Oxalis, Catsear, Clover and Cudweed a broad leaf herbicide such as Lawn Solutions All Purpose Weed Control and Amgrow Bin Die can be used as a treatment option.

When using a non-selective herbicide such as Round-Up (Glyphosate), extra care will be required upon application to ensure only the weed is treated. When applying a non-selective herbicide, we recommend using a weed wand or a small paintbrush to help ensure the product only goes onto the weed and not plant material that you are wanting to keep.

For more information on removing weeds click here.

Watering

When watering there is a few things to keep in mind to ensure your lawn is getting enough water when it needs it.

Water in the morning before the sun heats up. By watering in the morning your lawn will become less susceptible to diseases as the ground will not stay damp for a long period of time. More water will also be able to be absorbed into the soil profile as there will be less evaporation occurring.

Watering your lawn for longer periods of time less frequently will improve the drought tolerance of your lawn. With this type of watering’s your lawns roots are encouraged to grow further down into the profile of the soil and helping the grass to be able to withstand long time periods without water. So, 30-minute watering’s as needed is ideal.

Aeration

Aeration is a simple way to allow your lawn to grow a stronger and more established root system. By aerating your lawn, you will be able to help improve the lawn’s ability to better absorb water.

To aerate your lawn, you can use either a garden fork, lawn aerator sandals, or a tyne aerator. When using a garden fork, we recommend that you drive the fork around 100mm into the soil profile, then wiggle the fork back and forth to help break up the soil.

By staying consistent with your lawn care activities, mowing and watering regularly as required, giving your lawn a feed every now and again, you can ensure you will have a healthy and fantastic looking lawn.

For more lawn care information check out our other blogs here.

Need to Save Your Lawn? LSA to the Rescue!

Posted on January 27, 2021November 28, 2025 by Nathan Edwards

Is your lawn looking a little worse for wear? Lawn Solutions Lawn Rescue is a unique blend of wetting agents, soil conditioners, and seaweed extracts designed to rehydrate and rejuvenate your turf from the ground up. Perfect for restoring life to stressed, dry, or patchy lawns.

Skip to: Liquid Fertilisers, Key Strengths, Analysis, Instant Colour Pigments

Liquid Fertilisers

Liquid fertilisers can provide a quick response from your grass. The nutrients are almost immediately available to be absorbed through the roots or leaves, correcting nutrient deficiencies quickly or giving the plant a general boost through the growing season. You can also use a liquid fertiliser straight after mowing to reduce foliar stress to the cut leaf.

The nitrogen in liquid fertiliser is usually derived from urea, which can be absorbed through the leaves of your lawn. So unlike granular fertilisers, which require a soil-borne reaction at temperature, the liquid fertiliser will give your lawn an instant boost, even when the weather is still quite cool.

If your lawn is a little drought weary, lacking colour or suffering from the harsh climate, then it’s Lawn Rescue… to the rescue!

Lawn Rescue is a premium dual action spray-on liquid fertiliser product designed to restore lawns that have lost colour and appearance due to drought, heat or lack of water and nutrients.

Lawn Rescue contains a blend of liquid fertilisers, seaweed extracts and wetting agents making it the complete treatment to revive your lawn. It is ideal for use during establishment, post establishment and for a boost at any time during the year.

Key Strengths:

Suitable for use on all lawn varieties
Perfect for new and established lawns at any time of year
Contains a wetting agent to help drought proof lawns

When used as a starter fertiliser, it effectively promotes the development of root systems and early turf growth. In established lawns it stimulates, supports and protects root growth and is best used to compliment your granular fertilising regime.

The seaweed extracts work to condition the soil and promote healthy root growth. Then the wetting agents improve your soil’s ability to absorb precious moisture, thus optimising water availability to your lawn.

Analysis:

Nitrogen (N) – 5%
Phosphorus (P) – 7%
Potassium (K) – 2%
Kelp – 7.5%
Polyacrylamide (PAM) – 7.5%
Trace Elements

While liquid fertilisers like Lawn Rescue are great for a quick boost of nutrient or during times of stress, it’s important to consider longer-term health as well. This is why we recommend that you use a granular, slow-release fertiliser like Lawn Solutions Fertiliser about 3-4 times a year, as this will help to maintain the overall health of your lawn for longer periods.

If you are looking for an instant improvement in colour, then another great liquid option is ColourGuard Plus.

Instant Colour Pigments

ColourGuard Plus is a natural pigment, but also a liquid fertiliser. This pigment is absorbed into the leaf where it provides an instant boost in natural colour. If your lawn is growing rapidly, the pigment will be removed when you mow the leaf off next, so ColourGuard Plus is best used when your lawn is growing slowly. This occurs during the hottest periods of summer and again during winter in most areas. For more information on ColourGuard Plus click here.

With a combination of both liquid lawn tonics and granular fertiliser applications throughout the year, your lawn will have everything it needs for healthy leaf growth and root development.

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

Is Urine Burn Ruining Your Lawn?

Posted on January 27, 2021May 20, 2026 by Nathan Edwards

Dog urine is often one of the leading causes of dead patches in our lawns. Urine burns can be particularly frustrating as the solution is not always clear. We have looked into a variety of options that could help to stop or reduce the effect of urine burns on your lawn.

But first…

Why does my dog’s urine kill my lawn?

Protein taken in by dogs is excreted through the dog’s urine as nitrogen. As dog’s urine can be quite concentrated with nitrogen, our lawns can become burnt and die off. This can become particularly annoying, especially when these patches are in areas of high visibility or of which you wish to enjoy.

Urine Burn Prevention Tips

Dog Rocks

A popular option by many dog owners is Dog Rocks. Dog Rocks help by filtering out impurities in water, such as tin, ammonia and nitrates. These rocks are simply added to your dog’s water bowl where they are claimed to make the necessary adjustments for burn-free urine. Although this product does not help areas which have already been affected by urine burn, they can however, help to stop more spots from occurring. Dog Rocks can start working 8-10 hours after being placed into your dog’s water bowl and will need replacing every 2 months.

Pee Post

The Simple Solution Pee Post Pheromone Stake has been treated with a specific scent to encourage your pets to urinate in a specific area. The stick can be placed in an area of your backyard that you want to encourage your pets to urinate at. This will help stop your dogs from weeing across the lawn. This stake will release the scent continuously for months. This option takes out the need to change or alter your dogs diet.

Watering and Irrigation Methods

If you are able to dilute your dog’s urine before it is able to absorb and dry, you will be able to limit the concentration and reduce the likelihood for burning. If you have an irrigation or watering system that you can add a timer to, you could set it to come on more regularly throughout the day or specifically in areas that you know your dog regularly uses. While this may not be frequent enough to be effective all of the time, it may be enough to significantly reduce the amount of burning that is occurring.

Of course, if you happen to be around when your dog does their business, a quick blast with the hose will greatly limit burns to your lawn.

Dietary Adjustments

When looking to make changes to your dog’s diet to reduce the impact of urine, it is recommended that you contact your local veterinarian to ensure you are still providing your furry friends with their essential nutrient requirements and not causing them any harm.

Some options include:

Filtering your dog’s water before adding to their water bowl. Filtered water can work in a similar way to Dog Rocks, by removing impurities in the water. If you do not have access to a filtered water tap, a popular option is to use a filtered water jug. These jugs often come with a removable filter which can be changed every 2 months.
By feeding your dog a high-quality and well-balanced diet with the appropriate protein levels for your dog’s breed, you should be able to reduce the concentration of nitrogen in your dog’s urine.
Adding one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s water is claimed to help remove nitrogen from your dog’s urine. However, it is important to note that there is no substantial evidence that this method will be successful. If you do decide to try this method, we recommend that you use a natural apple cider vinegar from a health food store and get in contact with your local vet prior to use.

Training

Training your dog to only use one area of your lawn may be an effective option to help stop widespread damage. It is best to choose an area of your lawn which isn’t used as often or is not visible from where you like to relax and enjoy your garden.
Training your dog to use a synthetic pet potty mat could also be an effective option that won’t require any changes to your dog’s diet. There are a variety of pet potty mats available both online and in stores. It is important to note that this option may be timely as training is required but can provide a long-term solution.
Similar to a synthetic potty mat, you can make your own pet potty mat using turf. This way your dog will still be able to have the same feel of grass underfoot while doing its business. Use a shallow container or tray that is easy for your pets to walk into, place a role of turf into the tray and replace turf as needed. Again, this will take time to train your dog to use but will stop your dog urinating on your lawn.

Treatment for Dog Urine Burns

Once the urine burn has occurred, the burnt turf, may not grow back. But there a few things you can do to help the area recover quickly. Firstly, rake out the dead plant material and lightly raise the area by adding a small amount of topsoil. You can also add some dolomite lime which will reduce the acidity caused by the urine burn in the soil, making it more favourable for new growth. Follow this up with regular watering and mowing and you will help to encourage lateral growth and further thickening of the lawn.

For more information on repairing patches, check out our blog How to repair a thin and patchy lawn.

By using some of the tips above, or in combination, you should hopefully have some success with limiting the effect of dog urine on your lawn. Good luck!

Fungicides | Treatment & Prevention

Posted on January 27, 2021March 8, 2021 by Nathan Edwards

Unfortunately, when the conditions are right, usually damp and humid, fungal disease could appear in your lawn. These such conditions have been common in many areas across Australia in recent months.

When these turf diseases take hold, it is important that you identify and target the disease with an appropriate response quickly.

Fungal related symptoms to look out for:

Coloured patches or rings in your lawn – yellow, white or brown
Powdery coatings or threads on the grass blade surface
Thinned out areas, or areas of wet or slimy looking turf
Leaf blades with irregular discolouration or texture

What causes fungal disease?

The most common reasons fungal diseases occur are:

Weather conditions, particularly temperature and humidity
Overwatering and watering at night
Soil compaction
Overfertilising or using the wrong type of fertiliser
Incompatible grass varieties for your area
Poor mowing habits – mowing too low in particular

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TReQQPQolZ8&t=7s” title=”Turf Fungicides”]

Applying Fungicides

If you have a particularly nasty fungal problem, you will need to apply a fungicide.

Fungicides like Heritage Maxx or Mancozeb kill fungi and the spores within the soil or plant by inhibiting their growth.

Add the required amount of product directly to your spray tank and mix well following the mixing rates and application information on the fungicide label.

When applying ensure even application in order to achieve even disease control. Avoid overlapping sprays.

Precautions

DO NOT apply using spraying equipment carried on the back of the user.
Wait to enter treated areas until the spray has dried, unless wearing chemical resistant gloves and footwear.
DO NOT use this product through any type of irrigation system or ultra-low volume spray system
Make sure you wear the appropriate protective equipment and clothing when using the fungicide as per the label instructions

Fungicides

Heritage Maxx

Heritage Maxx is a liquid broad-spectrum fungicide for the control and prevention of turf diseases including – Pythium, Anthracnose, Brown Patch and Spring Dead Spot. This fungicide provides consistent protection of new growth for up to 28 days after application, making it a great option as part of a preventative plan.

Begin applications before symptoms occur when conditions first favour disease and continue applications while conditions remain favourable for disease development.

Mancozeb

A dry flowable preventative fungicide formulation for the control of certain fungal diseases including – Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Grey Leaf Spot.

Apply as a protective spray schedule at 7-day intervals throughout the susceptible season or climate.

A fungicide application should be only considered when a disease has spread considerably and if all other treatment options have been unsuccessful.

Other treatments include:

Soil Aeration
Fertilising
Thatch Removal
Reducing watering and irrigation and
Reducing shade where possible

For more information on these treatment options click here.

Give Your Lawn a Top Up! | Summer Fertilising

Posted on December 17, 2020May 13, 2025 by Nathan Edwards

If you fertilised your lawn in spring, it’s now likely time for another application. Most common slow release fertilisers will provide nutrient for your lawn for up to 12 weeks. So, if you fertilised your lawn in early to mid-spring, now is great time to give it a top up.

Skip to: Why should you fertilise your lawns in summer? Things to consider when fertilising in summer. How to help a lawn repair after leaf burn

Summer fertilising helps your lawn maintain an even growth pattern. Most fertilisers have added minor nutrients, which work to give your lawn the correct balance of nutritional requirements.

Summer Fertilising

Why should you fertilise your lawns in Summer?

We need to fertilise our lawns because there is usually a lack of nutrients required within the soil and in summer these nutrients can become depleted. We need to supplement the existing nutrient levels, so we can achieve a balance of all the nutrients your lawn needs to stay in top shape.

Things to consider when fertilising in summer

When applying fertiliser read the label for rates, but generally 20 grams per square metre is recommended in most cases, so two kilograms will do an average 100 square metre lawn.

Do not apply fertiliser to your lawn during the heat of the day. Mornings or late afternoons are best. If a significantly hot day is forecast, it would be best to wait and apply when conditions are milder.

You must water in your fertiliser after applying, otherwise you risk burning the leaf of the grass. If you don’t have a pop-up irrigation system, it’s a good idea to apply fertiliser before rain to save water. You can also set up a sprinkler or water it in well by hand with a hose. If a lot of rain is forecast however, it may be best to wait as the fertiliser could be significantly displaced or washed away.

Also make sure you only apply it to a dry lawn so that damage isn’t caused by applying to an already wet leaf that is subjected to the fertiliser.

If you have a pH imbalance, fertilising won’t be as effective. Test your soil’s pH level to ensure your lawn is able to absorb the nutrients it requires, instead of applying additional fertiliser, as this could be potentially harmful.

Fertilisers to Apply this Summer

If you are looking to apply a granular fertiliser this summer we recommend looking at either our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser or our new ProPlus Fertiliser.

The Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser has a combination of fast and slow-release granules, giving the lawn a good upfront boost boost, while continuing to feed the lawn for up to 12 weeks.

lawn fertiliser — Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser

Pro Plus Natural Carbon Fertiliser has a much smaller mini prill making it an ideal choice for manicured and low cut lawns. This means that the granule can reach down into the profile easier, reducing the risk of fertiliser burns to the leaf. The Pro Plus also has an extended release granule, releasing nutrients to the lawn evenly over 90 days.

proplus carbon fertiliser — ProPlus Mini Prill Fertiliser

How to repair a lawn after leaf burn

If you have applied too much fertiliser or done so incorrectly during summer, your lawn can suffer leaf burn. Leaf burn shows as a scorching or burning of the plant foliage and can occur if applied during the heat of the day or if applied to an already wet lawn. Fertilisers contain salts which can draw moisture from the leaf resulting in browning or yellowing discolouration and even root damage.

Lawn Rescue

Lawn Rescue is designed to restore lawns that have lost colour and appearance due to drought, heat or lack of water and nutrients. Which makes it a great option to use in summer in general, but also if your lawn seems to be in a bit of stress or has suffered from some leaf burn.

Lawn Rescue contains the following:

Nitrogen (N) – 5%
Phosphorus (P) – 7.0%
Potassium (K) – 2.0%
Kelp – 7.5%
Polyacrylamide (PAM) – 7.5% (soil conditioner/wetting agent – Helps porosity and reduces compaction, and water run-off.
Trace elements

This perfect blend of liquid fertilisers, seaweed extracts and wetting agents is ideal for all new and established lawns. Lawn Rescue promotes the development of root systems and growth in new lawns, and stimulates, supports and protects root growth in established lawns year-round.

Lawn Rescue features both nutrient and rehydration properties, which also makes it the perfect solution for tired, slow-growing lawns that can occur during a long hot summer.

ColourGuard Plus

Another option, if your lawn has lost some colour and vigour from the heat is ColourGuard Plus. It’s a natural pigment with a liquid fertiliser and it’s a great solution during drought conditions to keep your grass green and to save water at the same time. If you are primarily looking for an instant green up and your lawn has slowed in growth due to high temperatures, ColourGuard Plus is the ideal solution.

ColourGuard Plus will grow out with the existing leaf, so if your lawn is growing quickly it may be best to look at alternative fertiliser options like Lawn Rescue or a slow release granular fertiliser instead for more long-lasting results.

A Toast to the Aussie Lawn

Posted on December 17, 2020December 18, 2020 by Nathan Edwards

The humble Aussie lawn provides the backbone for summer night festivities, BBQ’s with family and friends, a game of backyard cricket and a place to play for our children and pets. Our lawns have hosted many epic backyard games, with some great victories and a few sad defeats (possibly a few dummy spits as well). But whether we are celebrating or commiserating, the Aussie lawn is a great place to congregate and enjoy togetherness.

Backyards are a staple for young families and create a space for our children to grow and play. Many memories of first footsteps, birthdays, making of friends and development milestones can occur out on the grass at home.

Our lawns are a great way for our family and friends to connect with each other. They provide the perfect space for relaxing after a day’s work, teaching your kids about nature and insects that live in the garden and provide a space for our fur babies to stretch their legs, be entertained and explore the many sniffs on offer.

The Aussie Backyard BBQ

It almost goes without saying, but you simply can’t have an Australia Day at home without a backyard BBQ! The classic Aussie BBQ has brought people together for generations. Enjoying a meal cooked on the BBQ is the perfect way to sit back, admire the work you have put into your lawn and enjoy it with those around you.

Important message regarding sausage sanga etiquette – The sausage must go diagonally across the bread… this is not open for discussion. Unless you are opting for a full two slice sandwich with sausage in the middle, then you can be excused from this rule (I hear some of you saying, “what about the bread to sausage ratio?” I hear you, but who are we to judge.)

Whether the onions go on top or underneath, well I’ll leave that up to you. Bunnings certainly have addressed this definitively with safety being paramount when it comes to sausage sanga construction (For those unaware the onions go on the bread and then the sausage at Bunnings). At the end of the day though, if it’s likely to get messy, out on the grass is the best place to be.

Newer turf varieties like TifTuf and some older favourites like the quintessential Sir Walter, have played a substantial part in facilitating our favourite backyard social activities…

The Aussie Backyard Cricket Pitch

Many of you may have turned your lawns into backyard cricket pitches for Australia Day, providing the foundation for the annual backyard match. Playing a game of cricket in the backyard is a great way to connect back with your family and friends and bring out the competitive rivalry. To find out how to make your lawn into a backyard cricket pitch check out our video here.

Lawns are not only good to sit back and enjoy but also show a sense of pride for your home.

The Aussie Garden

Our gardens are a great way to express ourselves, get in touch with nature and your lawn is the glue that ties it all together. Gardening and tending to your lawn are not only great hobbies to enjoy, but you can increase the value of your property in the process.

Better yet, if you really get into the lawn fanaticism you can show it off to family and friends. Or upstage the neighbours and the other lawn fanatic down the street 😉

Whether you have a backyard cricket pitch on TifTuf, a show garden with Sir Grange or the backyard classic Sir Walter, we hope your Aussie lawn has grown with you and your changing family’s needs.

To the Aussie lawn!

Managing Heat Stress

Posted on December 17, 2020May 13, 2025 by Nathan Edwards

Skip to: Heat stress signs, Dry patches and hydrophobic soil, How often should I water my lawn?

How to water your lawn efficiently

Water is fundamental for grass to transport nutrients, maintain cell structure and for it to create its own food through the process of photosynthesis.

For the most part, this water requirement will be met through rainfall or soil moisture storage.

Warm season grasses like buffalo, couch, kikuyu and zoysia, will go into dormancy during hot and dry conditions, conserving energy to maintain plant health. They will then recover and increase leaf growth again when conditions improve. But in some situations, or extended dry spells, the plant may begin to suffer further.

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kidc2pl-xWY” title=”Managing heat stress in your lawn”]

Managing Heat Stress

Here are some signs your lawn may be suffering from heat stress:

If it’s wilting or losing colour.
If you walk across your lawn and there is a noticeable footprint left behind, then your lawn is likely to be lacking in water. If it bounces back, your lawn should be well hydrated. This is known as the footprint test.
In extreme heat, your lawn could take on a blue to grey colouration, before starting to die if left unattended.
During extended hot weather, if it goes dry and crusty and takes on a light brown colour, there’s a good chance it needs watering.

Dry patches and hydrophobic soil

Because soil doesn’t necessarily hold water evenly, the dry patches or heat stressed turf may present in patches rather than uniformly across the whole lawn.

In many cases this is because the soil in these patches has become hydrophobic and/or compacted. In some cases, a pre-existing fungal problem could also be contributing to the occurrence of hydrophobic soil.

After long periods of dry weather, soils can become dehydrated and this is when the hydrophobic surface is exposed. This surface stops water from penetrating efficiently.

Wetting agents are the solution in this situation. Wetting agents are like a detergent or surfactant that attract water to the soils surface, helping it to soak in and improve infiltration in these areas. This reduces water run-off, encourages deeper roots which helps to make your lawn more drought tolerant.

Lawn Soaker is a ready to use soil wetting agent specifically developed for use on lawns. It improves the penetration of water so it can reach deep down to the roots. Regular use will ensure the soil re-wets and prevents further dry spots from forming.

In addition to a wetting agent application, we also recommend aerating your lawn. Aeration, whether it be with a garden fork or aerating machine, will help disrupt dry compacted soil and allow moisture to be absorbed down deeper.

How often should I water my lawn?

A common question we get asked here at Lawn Solutions Australia is, “how often should I water my lawn?” – The answer to this question can be quite different due to a variety of factors.

Some of these factors include:

The climate in your area and the season
Water restrictions
Access to and cost of water
Your soil type and its ability to absorb and hold water
Lawn variety and its drought tolerance
Environmental factors such as how much sun, shade, wind or heat there is in your garden and your area
The overall health of your lawn

With these factors in mind, the best way to know when to water is when you notice the early signs of heat stress and to act quickly when you do. In the worst heat of summer this could mean watering your lawn a few times a week.

When and how to water your lawn

The best time to water your lawn is early morning or late in the afternoon/early evening, when there is no wind and less chance of water loss due to heat related evaporation. In humid areas, avoid late afternoon or early evening watering as this can increase the chance of fungal diseases. Early morning is best.

Overwatering is not good for your lawn, your hip pocket or the environment, in fact, it’s a total waste of time and should be avoided at all costs. Long, deep soakings less frequently will ensure your lawn develops better drought tolerance and saves water.

The idea is to get to the point where you water less frequently but give the lawn a deep soaking. This encourages deep root systems and so a more self-sufficient and drought tolerant lawn.

As the water drains through the soil, the roots seek the water out deeper in the soil, rather than just hanging around the surface, which is what will happen if you just give it short, regular splashes. Educate your lawn to go the distance.

A good way to know measure how much water your lawn is receiving is to spread some empty tuna cans or catch cups around the lawn while irrigating. This will help you to know if you have even coverage and how many millimetres of water the soil is receiving. As a guide, 10mm is ideal for most lawns.

By looking out for signs of heat stress, watering effectively when required and taking action to improve soil permeability, you can ensure your lawn will be able to beat the heat.

For more information relating to watering your lawn check out our blog here.

Turf Talk – December 2020

Posted on December 11, 2020November 21, 2022 by Nathan Edwards

Turf Talk – Australia’s newest and most comprehensive turf magazine.

TurfTalk is a free quarterly magazine and distributed to over 3000 landscape and turf professionals.

TurfTalk is suitable for all turf professionals, from turf growers to landscapers, golf courses and sports ground curators, to government and related industry organisations.

TurfTalk is here to share with you the latest information on the turf industry, the exciting developments in turf research and to keep you up to date with everything you need to know about turf.

Some topics in this issue include:

Coolabah Turf Rises with the Tide
Home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Central Coast Stadium
Whitton Malt House gets TIFTUF
TPI & Global Turf Production

Click here to download a pdf copy.

For more information:

Phone – 1300 883 711

Email – news@turftalk.org.au