Caring for a lawn can seem like a daunting task if you have the misfortune of being born without what many refer to as a “green thumb.” As with any new duty, it’s essential to take a step back to assess each situation as it comes along and develop a plan.

Part of that will involve research to figure out what’s happening and then moving forward with the resolution. Many of the common lawn problems you’ll come across in Australia aren’t too difficult to remedy, even for a beginner.

Let’s explore some common garden issues, learn methods for solving these, and how to take some preventive measures.

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A Beginner’s Guide to Lawn Care: Tips and Tricks for a Beautiful Yard

Many new homeowners are uncertain about how to take care of problems when they pop up in the garden. The most familiar tasks are mowing, watering, and weeding. It takes time and issues arising to gain adequate experience.

Many common issues associated with Australian lawns are relatively easy to remedy. Still, for anyone uncomfortable with taking the initiative as a beginner, lawn experts are always available to assess your situation and guide you through resolving the problem. These experts can also offer suggestions on helpful lawn products like these at https://lawnhub.com.au/ for simple lawn solutions.

The more you’re exposed to issues and how to fix them, the greater your comfort level will become.

Let’s explore some of the more common issues seen in Australia’s gardens and a few easy fixes for the problems.

Striped lawn

When you notice extended yellow striping running the course of your turf, this can either be a problem with your mowing or a fertilizer issue. You’ll be able to tell by the colouring. If it’s more yellow, the fertilizer is applied unevenly. Darker stripes, almost tan in colour, indicate the potential of a mower problem.

With the mower, you’ll need to adjust the machine so it will cut more evenly instead of “scalping” the blades. When fertilizing with a “drop” spreader, the tracks should overlap as you work.

White Grubs

Garden tools guide

Grubs are larvae that thrive on lawn roots. These milky-white “worms” (except for the brown head) curl into an almost “C” figure, nesting their six legs beneath them. When you have an infestation of these pests, the grubs will ultimately kill the grass.

You’ll notice odd-shaped spaces throughout the lawn starting to wilt and die off. In the fall, the grass will become sparse with a brown, dull appearance. Wildlife will begin to show up regularly to feed on the pests like armadillos, gophers, and skunks.

You can check the ground by cutting and lifting the edge of the brown sod. If it pulls up almost like carpet relatively easily, there’s a grub problem. The dark soil will also expose the white bodies.

Insecticides or pesticides don’t always resolve a grub problem. It’s suggested if you see less than “15 per square foot,” treatment won’t be required; recovery will occur on its own.

“Beneficial nematodes” boast among the “safest biological control.” The lawn should recover by applying water and “heterorhabditis” nematodes in the spring or fall and waiting a couple of days before reseeding.

Crabgrass

When grass is unfertilised and mowed too short, crabgrass thrives. It grows relatively quickly. It’s very adaptable and vigorous, with the capacity to push other grass out of the garden as time passes.

You can only gain control if treatment is applied spot-on. Waiting until late in the spring season or going into the summer is too long. When the garden looks full of weeds, overall unappealing, or thick, heavy patches are growing above the turf; this will be a sign of crabgrass.

In order to know when to apply a solution, it’s suggested to reach out to the local cooperative extension for the best time frame. Timing is critical, with only a “10-day window” to be successful in your attempt to rid the lawn of the weeds.

Organic mulch will prevent the weed seeds from receiving sunlight. Another solution is corn gluten meal.

Lawn Care on a Budget

When you have problems with your lawn but don’t have a large budget to invest in repairs, there are things you can do to save some money and make the necessary repairs. Go here for ideas on budgeting for lawn care and then follow for some straightforward maintenance with minimal cost.

Thin patches or dead spots

Many gardens develop dead patches due to heavy foot traffic. You can repair bald spots using a patch from the lawn roughly “20 X 20 centimetres.” The hole should be filled with either sand or potting mix, and the sod can then be planted.

If the lawn is exceptionally damaged, it could be worth buying instant turf to cut in 10-centimetre increments and separate into sections 30 centimetres apart. These are incredibly affordable, allowing an inexpensive lawn.

The sod should be planted up to the blade to hide the roots and then topped off with compost or topsoil. Fertilize in the spring with chicken pellets. Once established, it should be mowed but not scalped. Longer blades allow better competition against weeds.

Weeding after dethatching

Thatch (runners) or dead grass must be raked out to loosen the soil and make it easier for the rain to get through so new runners can become established. Once this process is finished, weeding is much easier.

This process is simple, straightforward, and affordable, with merely elbow grease as the primary requirement.

After this step, you can also aerate, but it’s suggested that you do that more so if you have an issue with soil compaction. Aerating requires puncturing holes in the ground, which helps with circulating water, air, and nutrients to enhance the lawn.

Final Thought

Whether you’re a novice or have that “green thumb,” everyone learns something with their lawn. Even master gardeners get stumped and need to reach out for help. The bottom line is getting the diagnosis right.

If you’re unsure exactly what’s wrong, contact a professional for guidance to avoid making the problem worse. The experts will assess the situation thoroughly and set you in the right direction toward a resolution.