Lawn care tips will have your grass outdoor garden areas in peak condition just in time with Summer just around the corner. The warmer months with long, daylight-saving evenings, where we love to spend time in our outdoor spaces, whether we are relaxing in a sunny spot of the garden, playing a game of backyard cricket or just enjoying the feeling the soft lush grass under our feet! To get our lawn in peak condition to survive this heavier usage and long, hot days, we have some spring lawn care tips to help your grass be at its best. Lawn Care is an ongoing process with a number of maintenance tasks you should do year-round or seasonally. This regular maintenance will reward you with a lush green environment to enjoy.
The Best Turf Varieties for the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains’ unique climate and growing conditions means there are some recommended turf varieties that work best in this environment. These turf varieties can handle the summer heat which can still be an issue despite the relatively cooler temperature that come with the higher altitude. They also can survive the possibility of winter frosts and even snow. Fresh Perspective Landscapes use Sir Walter Buffalo for many of their landscaping projects as it is ideal for the Blue Mountain’s location.
Designing your lawn
When designing your lawn areas ensure you leave space to allow mower access in all spaces. Avoid putting grass in areas of complete shade as most lawn varieties will struggle to grow here.
How Often Do I Water My Turf?
To ensure that the roots develop a deep root system it is better to do one deep water compared to frequent short. shallow watering. Water requirements for an established lawn are considerably less than what is required in the establishment period after laying the turf. In an average Sydney summer, you should apply 2-3 deep watering’s per week and 1 per week in winter depending on conditions and abiding by any water restriction requirements.
Once the lawn is fully established in about 12 months, one deep watering per week should be sufficient. Avoid watering at night as the lawn will remain wet and this can encourage fungus and disease – the best time to water in warmer months is early morning when less water will be lost through evaporation. When it comes down to it, it is best to let the lawn tell you when it’s time for a drink and this is when the lawn leaf begins to wilt and slightly discolour.
Mowing
Mowing is the most regular maintenance job required to keep your lawn looking great and it is recommended to only take 1/3rd of the grass blades off in each mow. Mowing too low can cause ugly ‘burnt’ areas of brown grass and it can also cause fungus problems.
The first mow should be left until the grass blade length is about 60-70mm in length.
The optimum mowing height for Sir Walter is between 25-40mm and approx. 50mm in shady areas. In winter it is advisable to increase the mowing height another 10-15mm.
Why do I need to aerate my lawn?
Aeration helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn. Compacted soil restricts the ability of nutrients and water to penetrate the lawn roots. The main reason for aerating is to alleviate the soil compaction.
Different soil types require more frequent aeration with clay compacting easily and should be aerated at least once a year. Sandy lawns should be aerated once a year, or once every two years. Regular aerating is important to ensure the ground doesn’t become too hard and it helps the soil to breathe and the grass to spread.
Pests and diseases
Pests and diseases in your lawn are more common than you think. Grubs can chew through the roots leaving areas thin and brown and some fungal diseases can take hold in certain climates. There are various treatments available depending on the symptoms your lawn is displaying.
When to fertilise your lawn
Generally, a slow-released balanced lawn food is best but the correct fertiliser recommendations will vary depending on climate, region and soil type. It is best to evenly spread your fertiliser with either a hand-held spreader or a push along spreader.
Once your lawn is established, apply fertiliser early spring, early summer and mid-autumn will keep your lawn looking lush and green. The autumn fertilising is essential for the lawn to stay greener through winter.
Lawn Weeds
The best way to keep your lawn weed-free is to reduce the ability of weeds to take hold in the first place by keeping it lush and healthy. In turf there are generally 2 types of weeds – Broadleaf and Grass Weeds and these can be treated with recommended weed and feed type products.
For specific Spring Lawn Care Tips for your outdoor areas, contact Luke and he can advise on the required lawn maintenance. If you have no time to get your lawn “Summer Ready” and need some help, give Luke a call 0434 355 066 or visit us on Facebook.