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Patchy, weedy lawns are a common problem in Kiwi backyards. And it’s generally just because we don’t take care of them like we should. It’s not all that hard to get your lawn back in top shape and keep it that way as a little lawn care goes a long way.
Spray the lawn with a weed killer and then wait until all grass and weeds are dead. This usually takes between 7-14 days.
Rake away the dead grass and weeds. If your ground is hard you may need to break up the surface with a garden fork, rake it out, and scrape it off with a spade.
Remove any old roots, rocks or stones.
Smooth out any bumps or hollows with the rake, so the ground is level.
Now you’re ready to spread out the lawn preparation mix, this will ensure the grass gets the best start possible. The lawn mix provides a good base and all the nutrients needed to grow a thick lush lawn.
Spread the lawn mix evenly over the area, at least 50mm thick.
Use a long straight-edge to level out the mix and fill any hollows you find. Then use a lawn roller or something relatively heavy to compact the mix in place.
Water the area thoroughly. A good soaking will also help compact the mix and creates a moist bed for the grass seed.
Next, sow the grass seed. Use a handful of seed per square meter and work from east to west, then north to south to ensure your lawn is well covered.
Lightly rake the seed to ensure it has good contact with the lawn preparation mix.
Give the area another thorough watering.
Continue watering at least once a day while the seeds are germinating. If it’s a hot day, water both morning and night, for at least 20 minutes. You need the lawn to be consistantly moist but not so wet that pooling occurs.
When the grass has established its roots and is approximately 50mm long, mow it once on a high setting then wait for two weeks before mowing again. After it has been mowed 3 – 4 times apply a lawn fertiliser to encourage growth.
First remove any dead grass, moss, or weeds. To do this you could use a rake, but if there are a lot of weeds you may be best to spray them with a weed killer.
Remember to wait about 7-14 days after applying weed killer until all weeds are dead before sowingyour grass seed.
Once the weeds are gone, spread a layer of lawn preparation mix over the bare patches, pack it down with a lawn roller and level it off using a straightedge.
Dampen the area and sow grass seeds. Take care to fully and evenly cover the patchy area. Rake over the seeds.
Water the patch at least once a day while the seeds are germinating. If it’s a very hot day, water both morning and night.
There are three common weeds in New Zealand lawns. All you need to do is identify the type of weed and then use the appropriate weed killer.
While weeds grow almost anywhere there are a few things you can do to to discourage their growth:
Keep your lawn longer: this means weeds can’t reach the light and won’t grow.
Maintain a healthy lawn: a well fed, watered and regularly fertilised lawn is less likely to be susceptible to weeds.
Keep your lawn thick: then weeds won’t have the space to grow.
Once your lawn is established make sure you fertilise it in spring, early summer and autumn to encourage thick, lush growth.
