turf in tip top condition. Hope this well assist you, Regards David & James Horton.
Just click over the question so show the information.
What soil should I lay my turf on?
All soils contain pathogens and weed seeds so if you can't scrape up enough topsoil from your own block, use Minus one deco as it is sterile, weed free and easy to use. Or you can also use a good quality under turf blend containing well-composted manures.
When should I spray for Lawn Grubs? - NEVER, NEVER, NEVER.
The first thing you need to do is understand the grub life cycle. The tiny grubs barely visible to the naked eye hatch with a tiny web and are carried on the wind, sometimes hundreds of kilometres. These grubs land on your lawn and start feeding. You normally don’t notice the damage until the grubs are nearly full size and finished eating. At this point the grub burrows into the soil and make its cocoon from which hatches a small grey moth that lays those little furry patches of eggs you see under the eaves of your house. Then the cycle starts again. Most people see the little red and blue wasps flying around their lawn and decide it is time to spray for lawn grubs. The problem here is that the wasps actually sting the grub cocoon and lay their eggs inside thus killing the grub and breaking the cycle. At this point the grubs have finished eating so are no longer causing more damage to the lawn and spraying the deadly chemicals is only killing the grubs predators and polluting the environment.
Fertiliser, when and how much?
I must confess to being a bit of a greenie. I am totally opposed to chemical fertilisers, for several reasons. Most of this fertiliser is leached from the soil and ends up in the bay. Work it out! One million households using 2 bags (80 kgs) per year, even 30% leach equals more pollution than all the farmers in Queensland cause. Most chemical fertilisers are sulphur based which make our soils more acid, and most soils are already acid and it kills our earthworms. Chicken manure stinks and is only 3% nitrogen. We use and recommend "Organic Link" because it is environmentally friendly, slow release, has everything in it for most lawns and contains Neem to suppress lawn grubs. 100grams per square metre 2 o 3 times a year is plenty
Should I use the grass catcher?
I don't believe so, especially with the mulching mowers that are available today. These mowers smash up the lawn clippings and force them into the lawn, forming a mulch. It will require more fertiliser initially but long term it will not only save on fertiliser but water as well.
What is best way to water ?
Most couch lawns are very deep rooted, about one and a half metres but we stuff this up by watering too often. We should water a couple of times a day to establish turf but when it's roots are down, once a week at most in Summer and once a month in winter is plenty. That way you will have a healthy lawn without fungus. It does the lawn good to stress it and make the roots search for water.
Can you advise me on Controlling weeds ?
Digging out weeds is a thankless task as most grow back and most herbicides only do half a job. A small paintbrush, glyphosate mixed at 20 to 1 with water and add"Charlie Carp" at one cap per litre, just dab on the weeds and they'll be dead in about ten days. Put a drop of mum's food colouring in the mix so you know where you've been. Remember the weeds must be healthy and dust free. It's almost impossible to kill a half-dead weed. A good healthy lawn watered sparingly at the right pH is the best way to keep out weeds.
Which are the worst weeds ?
Mullimbimby Couch and Creeping Oxalis, wouldn't life be easy without these two. There are herbicides that claim to kill them but they are very hit and miss. Here are a few secrets, Mullimbimby is a member of the sedge family, it loves wet and acid soil so if you change your watering habits and correct your pH you can start to get good results. When you spray, add 40ml per litre of "Charlie Carp". This has two benefits, it helps the chemical stick to the plant and the plant thinks it's getting fed and takes in the poison with the food. Creeping Oxalis has a very waxy surface and Charlie Carp is the best thing I have found to stick to it. We use "Charlie Carp" with all our sprays on the farm.
Nature is a wonderful thing
For every pest there is a predator and when you spray you wipe out everything, leaving your lawn vulnerable. Lawn grubs can do our lawns good, they dethatch and core it. I've never seen a lawn killed by lawn grubs. Your lawn will recover quickly but if they bother you then use Neem oil or "Organic Link" fertiliser with Neem and this will control the grubs but won't harm the predators.
How do I Choose the right turf ?
Choosing the right turf - Many people have been caught by selecting the wrong grass. You answer an ad for "A" grade couch which could be one of about 20 varieties, most of which are not suitable for home lawns. It looks great when delivered but soon you find you can't maintain it. It grows too fast, thatches, and when it's mowed you've got brown patches that are hard to get rid of. These include "Greenlees Park", "Winter Green" and "Santa Ana" which are great for playing fields but hopeless for home lawns. Call me and ask about CT 2 - a grass you'll be happy with for years to come.