A Current South East Queensland Lawn Issue and How to Fix it

Here at Daleys Turf we have received quite a few questions lately regarding some lawns that have received some damage over the last few months. The photograph below, is a great example of what people are experiencing. Let us give you some information that will help you to understand what is happening and how you can fix it.

The most likely cause of this problem will be due to what is in the soil, or rather the lack of what’s in the soil. All soil should have some amount of moisture retaining ability, this is usually done naturally with existing clay in the soil profile. However, sometimes there are foreign materials within the soil profile, which will also have the same effect, like crusher dust, road base, left over concrete, concrete slurry wash, builders or painters washing debris and the list goes on.

The point is that the lawn needs the ability to cool itself down in extreme hot/dry weather conditions and this depends upon it’s root system to do this by finding a source of moisture. If the roots system is not fully established, is obstructed by foreign material or just in very sandy soil, then the plant will slowly start shutting down, starting from the weakest point first. This is a survival mode the plant has gone into, it’s one of the good points about ‘Sir Walter’ Lawn Turf.

1. Fertilise the area with ‘Sir Walter’ Fertiliser at the rate of 3kgs per 100m2 and then water in well immediately after application.
2. It is optional as to whether or not you apply a top dressing for the same area, but it does reduce the time it takes for the lawn to repair itself. Use a garden mix from your local landscape yard, as organics help with moisture retention as well and this is what caused the problem in the first place. Note: We use to recommend using river sand, but that’s only for levelling a lawn, so don’t use sand in this instance.
3. Keep the lawn moist whilst you are repairing it. Perhaps give the lawn plants a light watering every 3 or 4 days during this time.
4. Repeat the fertiliser application in around 3 – 4 weeks at the same rate. With the current showery weather that most of South East Queensland is experiencing your lawn should be fully recovered in around 6 – 8 weeks.
5. Mow the area regularly to encourage lateral growth of the lawn plants.
6. Mulch your clippings in as this will add to the moisture retention ability.

This issue reinforces what is one of the most important attributes of ‘Sir Walter’ Lawn Turf and one of the main reasons that Daleys Turf is a proud Producer and Supplier of this turf that is fully repairable and generally without weed problems. There is no other lawn as good at doing this.

The photograph of the lawn above has never been irrigated even through the dry spell and notice that there are no weeds present at all.