Feeding

Every time we mow we are removing nutrients and it’s important to replace those nutrients, especially during strong spring growth. A well-fed lawn not only looks more lush and green, the strong growth will out compete weeds. Nitrogen is what a lawn needs most for that lush green growth, but a good lawn food contains the correct proportions of nitrogen and other essential nutrients, such as phosphorus for healthy root growth and potassium for disease resistance. Choose a controlled release fertiliser or apply small amounts at regular intervals to avoid wastage and leaching.  

An organic based lawn food, such as Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Lawn Food. feeds the lawn while improving soil moisture retention and encouraging earthworms and beneficial soil microbes. For a new lawn, choose a product suitable for young grass and apply it at the recommended rate. 

Reducing compaction

Especially in high use areas, aerating the lawn to let more air, water and nutrients into the root zone can make a huge difference. This is ideally done when the soil is moist but not soaking wet. Using a garden fork to punch holes about 10cm deep is one way to loosen up hard and compacted soil beneath the grass. For very compact lawns, however, core aeration is the best way to relieve compaction. This process uses a ‘core aerator’ (which may be hand held [as pictured] or an aerator machine) to completely remove small plugs of grass and soil. Machine aerators are available from hire centres. 

Removing weeds and prickles

If you have prickles in your lawn, the best time to act is before the Onehunga weed sets its seed in early summer. Hand weeding is effective if you don’t have too much of it. Otherwise spray with Prickle Weedkiller, which controls Onehunga weed without killing the lawn. Broadleaf weeds (non-grasses) are unsightly interruptions in a smooth green carpet. Remove them before they get too big. Special ‘grubber’ hand tools make it easy.  

For an easier remedy, especially if you have a lot of weeds, ask at your garden centre for a selective herbicide, which kills the weeds without harming the grass. Spray weeds with a selective weedkiller such as Yates Weed'n'Feed before you head off on holiday so you don’t come home to a lawn full of weeds. Make sure the lawn has been well watered in the weeks prior to spraying. Even selective weed killers (that are designed to target non grass weeds) can cause stress to lawn grass when the weather is hot and dry. 

Fixing bare patches

Bare patches ruin the look of a lawn and they also invite weeds. To repair a bare patch, prepare the ground first so that the grass seed can make good contact with the soil. Mow the lawn and then remove dead grass and weeds. Gently cultivate and loosen the soil to create a nice soft and crumbly surface. For extra assurance, mix in some weed-free compost. Then scatter the seed and water gently using a watering can. Water regularly to keep the seed bed moist as the new grass grows. Available in small packs for perfect for small repair jobs, Yates Seed’n'Feed combines fast germinating seed with controlled-release fertiliser. 

Summer watering

Encourage deep growing roots for a vigorous more drought resistant lawn. This means a good long watering session to wet the soil to a good depth. Brief daily watering only encourages shallow, more drought prone roots and reduces water and nutrient uptake. It also makes the lawn more susceptible to weed invasion, fungal diseases and pest damage. To check if your lawn needs to be watered, tread firmly on the grass. If the grass doesn't spring back after removing our foot, it’s a sign it needs a drink. If the grass springs back, then it doesn't need to be watered yet. 

Summer mowing

For a thick, weed free lawn, frequent light mowing is best and mower blades should remain raised when the weather is hot and dry. Mowing too low risks scalping the lawn and creates bare patches that are magnets for weeds. It’s better to do two or three mows a few days apart, removing just the very tips of the grass foliage each time.

PARTY TRICK: Mow lawns few days ahead of guests arriving. This gives any stray grass clippings time to disappear, so they won't stick to anyone's feet!