Lawn care tips

TIPS FOR OVERSOWING OR REPAIRING YOUR LAWN

  • Mow the existing lawn (if any) right down to ground level. Remove all cuttings. Mowing it this short won’t kill it.
  • Scarify up the whole area to be oversowed (with a scarifier). OK; use your rake as a last resort if that’s the only option you have but expect some damage to existing plants.
  • When there’s a nice seedbed there fill in any hollows with weed free lawn soil, level then roll the filled in bits.
  • Broadcast Newton’s starter fertiliser.
  • Try and match the new seed with existing. If origins are not known - use Vintage rye grass blend. It matches nicely most turf grasses.
  • Broadcast your seed - be generous - say 20m² to 1kg on bare areas, less over existing grass. Rake the new seed in a bit then do a second broadcast.
  • Light covering of top soil over the lot - I often use a sieve here but not compulsory.
  • Get the roller busy again on the lot this time ($20 to hire for half day). Rolling helps moisture retention around the seed and helps protect against washouts or sinkage.
  • Water night and morning (at least) until germination then nights only. Sneak in some extra watering if possible on overcast days because dried out seed won’t germinate.
  • First cut - take only a third off and the plant will throw some new growth out and start to thicken up.
  • Talk to it often.

TIPS FOR SOWING A WHOLE NEW LAWN

  • Spray out all existing vegetation with a glyphosate spray. (Takes about 3 weeks to be obvious). Dig out anything that doesn’t die. Kikuyu has to be sprayed not dug.
  • Set the lawn mower to ground level and take away all that dead matter.
  • Either - Scarify up the surface to create a seedbed. You can hire motorised versions which make the task less onerous. Use your rake or a hand scarifier as a last resort (if you’re tough) but remember you have to create a nice fine seedbed over the whole job to give the seed a fair go.
  • Or - If the surface was uneven, compacted, or the dirt was just plain bad -rotary hoe instead. This is a last resort because firstly its hard work and secondly it brings unwanted weed seeds to near the surface so they can pop up in the nice new lawn. No - the weeds weren’t in the Newton’s lawn seed.
  • If you have the time - fertilise and wet the soil to encourage the new weed seeds to grow - spray out before seeding your lawn.
  • If rotary hoeing does prove necessary then consider enhancing the soil while you’re at it. A brew of compost (no bark thanks), weed free lawn soil and gypsum can bring new life into tired soil. Spread it on top and mix the whole lot up together when you hoe. Level and roll.
  • Spread Newton’s starter fertiliser.
  • Make sure you have the right seed for the job (ask us) and broadcast it generously. 20m² to 1kg.
  • Rake it in and give it another broadcast for good measure. Light covering of good top soil over the lot.
  • Roll again to keep in the moisture around the seed & help prevent washouts.
  • Water is the secret so at least night and morning and preferably more often until germination. Some varieties have to be damp the whole time or they just won’t fire up.
  • Cut no more than a third on the first mow.
  • Jobs done.