Preparation

• Good soil preparation is the key to achieving a good lawn
• Spray out weeds with a non-selective weed spray like KiwiCare Weed Weapon Extra Strength
• Allow 10-14 days for weeds to die and brown off
• Soil should be dug to a depth of 15cm. Break up large clods and remove all stones and debris
• Well -drained, loam soils are best
• If soil is clay or very heavy, apply gypsum and work in some sandy soil
• In very wet conditions artificial drainage may be necessary
• If soil is sandy and free draining, add compost or peat to improve it's water holding ability
• Rake and level filling in hollows and removing high spots
• Slope lawn away from house and other buildings
• Tread and rake the area several times to consolidate and stop further sinking

Fertilising

• Apply Burnetts Easy Start to area prior to sowing
• Alternatively use a slow release lawn food such as Burnetts Easy Fert
• Once grass is established, feed with lawn food in spring and autumn
• Never fertilise in dry conditions

Sowing Seeds

• Sow in calm weather
• Sow in early morning
• Mixing seed with some sand helps even spread
• Sow seeds in two directions, walking backwards across lawn, north-south, east-west
• Ensure even coverage, avoid dumping seed in patches
• Sow at 30gm/m²
• Keep surface moist with light watering until seeds germinate, at least daily
• As seed grows water more heavily but less frequently, every 2 days

Mowing

• Mow frequently for best results
• Avoid cutting too low or 'scalping'
• Cutting height between 2.5-4cm is ideal

Pests and Diseases

The worst enemies of good lawn are porina, grass grub and the invasion of broadleaf weeds.

Porina Caterpillar

• Feed on grass
• Chew grass off to ground level
• Do not eat roots
• Caterpillar is grey colour with dark head
• Appear February - April

Grass Grub

• Feed on roots
• Yellow patches and stunted lawn growth
• Adult beetles feed on foliage in garden in November
• Grub appears autumn, early winter

Pest and Disease Control

• Porina
  • Soil insect killer - autumn
• Grass Grub
  • Soil insect killer - spring and autumn
  • Neem Granules
• Broadleaf weeds
  • Turfclean - spring and autumn
• Onehunga weed
  • Lawnpro for Hydrocotyl and Prickle - September to November