Regular water, regular applications of quality slow release fertiliser, and regular mowing are the three basic essentials to getting your lawn looking better.

In spring or early summer, apply Groturf 15-4-11 at 2-3kg/100m2 using a suitable spreader. Water this fertiliser in with HydraMaxx Hose On soil wetting agent to aid in moisture retention.

Six weeks later, apply Maintain 26-2-9 with 70% slow release nitrogen at 2kg/100m2, and water-in with HydraMaxx Hose On soil wetting agent.

Repeat Maintain 26-2-9 and HydraMaxx Hose On application every 8 weeks during the warmer months.

Water and mow at least weekly during warmer months.

If you are about to lay a new lawn, apply Under Turf Starter 10-8-5 + Water Crystals at 2.5kg/100m2 using a suitable spreader.

If you have just laid a new lawn, you want to keep it looking good. Begin by applying Groturf 15-4-11at 2-3kg/100m2 using a suitable spreader. Water this fertiliser in with Hydramaxx Hose On soil wetting agent to aid in moisture retention.

Six weeks later, apply Maintain 26-2-9 with 70% slow release nitrogen at 2kg/100m2, and water-in with HydraMaxx Hose On soil wetting agent.

Repeat Maintain 26-2-9 and HydraMaxx Hose On application every 8 weeks during the warmer months.

Regular applications of a quality slow release granular fertiliser as used by golf courses and sporting stadiums will get you a good result.

A simple start is to apply Maintain 26-2-9 with 70% slow release nitrogen using a suitable spreader four times a year i.e. once in spring, twice in summer and once just before winter.

A 20kg bag will be enough for an average size 200m2 lawn for a year.

We recommend applying a soil wetting agent such as HydraMaxx every 8 weeks, which will help your lawn retain moisture for longer.

Hydramaxx comes in a 5L concentrate or a 2L Hose-On bottle, which treats 150m2.

Possibly raise the cutting height to create a more dense turf canopy, aerate the lawn once a year, and check for any tree roots intruding into the lawn.

A “pre-emergent” herbicide can be applied to prevent weeds coming up in your lawn.

We recommend applying Oxafert at 4kg/100m2 using a suitable spreader.

Another option is Barricade or Spartan, liquid pre-emergents. with an application rates of 40mL/100m2.

Apply using suitable spray equipment in spring, summer and autumn.

Oxafert has the advantage of being both a pre-emergent herbicide and fertiliser, so it will prevent weeds while improving turf health at the same time!

Water-in thoroughly immediately after application. One 20kg bag will treat 500m2.

First determine whether they are a ‘broadleaf’ weeds or ‘grass-type’ weeds.

If you mainly have broadleaf weeds, then Bow & Arrow or BroadForce MA herbicide would be the safest options for your lawn.

Both products will control many of the common broadleaf weeds.

If some weeds remain, a more accurate identification of the weed will be required.

Also make sure you add a sticker such as Wetter 600 in with your herbicide to ensure good results.

If you mainly have grass-type weeds, this can be a little more difficult. The best strategy is prevention, by applying a ‘pre-emergent’ herbicide such as Oxafert before the weeds appear.

Barricade & Spartan are liquid pre-emergents giving you up to 6 month barrier against new weed germination.

However if you already have grass-type weeds, dig them out first and then apply the pre-emergent.

Oxafert at 4kg/100m2 using a suitable spreader, or Barricade or Spartan at 40mL/100m2 using suitable spray equipment in spring, summer and autumn, to prevent them coming up again.

Oxafert has the advantage of being both a pre-emergent herbicide and fertiliser, so it will prevent weeds while improving turf health at the same time!

Keep your lawn healthy to out-compete the weeds through regular fertiliser applications (e.g. refer Scenario 3), and mow at least weekly during warmer months.

Caterpillars such as Lawn Armyworm (lawn grub) that eat the grass, and African Black Beetle that eat the roots, are the most common insects that attack lawns.

They can be controlled for up to 6 months with an application of Acelepryn at 15mL/100m2 using suitable spray equipment, which is a very safe to use insecticide.

There is also the granular Acelepryn option. Acelepryn GR at 1.5kg/100m2.

These insects can also be treated with a knockdown insecticide such as Rumbler at 44mL/100m2, however there will be no ongoing residual control with this treatment, so reapplication may be necessary.

Refer to the Disease Identification Section to try and determine what fungal disease your lawn has. This can be difficult to do. You can also take some photo's and email us at info@lawnpride.com.au and we can help identify the issue.

There are broad spectrum fungicides like Impala and Tombstone Duo that control many common diseases of lawns.