How To Know If Your Lawn Is Sick?

Every so often a thriving lawn will present itself with a problem. Whether it be a dry patch, bug infestation, bindi outbreak or maybe it just isn’t looking quite right and you’re unsure what to do. With loads of information readily available on the web its fairly easy to find an answer to the problem your lawn may be having – however, if you’re struggling to find a solution, don’t hesitate to contact your local lawn suppliers.

Like every plant, lawns have their ups and downs.  But the key to maintaining a beautiful, healthy and vibrant lawn is to recognize and treat symptoms early before the issues get out of hand. A basic understanding of the common problems experienced by lawns across the country will help you to identify signs that trouble might be brewing underfoot…

Are there dead, brown spots appearing in your lawn?  The cause of your trouble could be:

Lawn Grubs

They’re silent, they’re small and they cause a lot of damage.  Lawn grubs can ruin a perfectly healthy lawn in an alarmingly short space of time.  Common signs of lawn grub infestation are

• dead patches appearing in the grass
• presence of moths flying over the lawn, often in the evening
• increased bird activity on the lawn

It is important to treat lawn grubs as soon as you become aware of their presence.  Chemical sprays are available from most hardware and gardening stores and are very effective in killing off these nasty little critters.  A second or even a third application of pesticide may be necessary to ensure that you have completely eradicated the problem.

Lack of Water

Grass is a plant and it requires regular watering to maintain it’s lush green appearance.  Lack of water will cause it to die back and become yellow and dead-looking.  It is also important that you establish good watering practices for your lawn: water deeply and less frequently to promote a strong, robust and deep root system which draws water from underground rather than relying on very regular surface watering.

Compacted Soil

To maintain a thriving lawn, it is important that the soil contains enough oxygen.  If your soil is compacted, the grass may die back, leaving bare patches and creating a haven for weeds.  If your lawn area is small, you can simply aerate your soil using a pitchfork.  For larger lawns, a mechanical aerator is the obvious method of doing this job.

Nutrient Deficiency

We all need a balanced diet… so does the lawn.  If your grass is lacking in nutrients, it may be patchy and sick looking.  Fertilize your lawn using an organic compost or chemical formula, applying it strictly in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

Sunlight

If your grass doesn’t get enough access to sunlight, it may become yellow or die off completely. Ensure that items on the lawn such as children’s play equipment are regularly moved to allow the grass beneath to remain healthy and green.  Rake up fallen leaves and dispose of them thoughtfully because they too will prevent the sunlight from reaching your turf.

The team at Rivers Edge Turf have the experience and the practical skills to help you diagnose and repair your sick lawn.  Call us today on (02) 4579 9009 and talk to one of our staff members. We’ve got solutions for all types of lawn care!