Winning the turf war

How to keep your lawn problem-free is easy when you know the best insider tricks.



Lawn looking a little worse for wear? From bare patches and weeds to yellowing blades and mysterious overnight disappearances, lawns can throw up all kinds of challenges. But don’t rip it all up just yet – most common problems have simple fixes if you know what to look for. Whether it’s pests, pets, foot traffic or something sneaky below the surface, we’ll help you get to the root of it and get your lawn back to its lush, green best.





 

Question:

What can we do about dogs urinating on the lawn and garden?

 

Answer:

I’m no dog trainer and tried everything but in the end, tough love worked. We used a cheap electric fence powered by two 1.5V batteries to section off our vegie patch and garden beds. After three weeks, we took it down but the dogs never went back. I also rewarded them when they stayed away. If lawn burn is the issue, it’s not caused by acidic urine but by high nitrogen in their diet. That’s why 'dog rocks' don’t help much – my colleague, Dr. Harry Cooper says they offer little value. Switching to a low-nitrogen food can help, and some people add a bit of boiled rice, which is said to be good for them.

Question:

Why does lawn grow poorly under a tree and what can be done about it?

 

Answer:

Lawn often struggles to grow under trees due to a combination of shade, competition for water and nutrients and the buildup of leaf litter. Most grasses need several hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive, and the dense canopy of a tree can significantly reduce light levels. Tree roots also absorb much of the available moisture and nutrients in the soil, leaving less for the lawn. To improve growth, start by pruning lower tree branches to let in more light. Choose a shade-tolerant grass such as buffalo or certain fescues, and keep the area well-watered, especially during dry periods. Apply a slow-release fertiliser in early spring and autumn to support healthy growth. In very shady or heavily trafficked areas, consider replacing lawn with mulch, groundcovers, or garden beds better suited to the conditions.

Question:

Why has half of my lawn disappeared overnight?

 

Answer: 

HaIf your lush green lawn suddenly vanishes overnight, armyworms are the most likely culprits. These ravenous caterpillars don’t waste time – hatching in huge numbers after a single adult moth lays up to 1,000 eggs. When they emerge, they feed fast and furiously, capable of stripping healthy turf bare in as little as 12 hours. Treat immediately with a fast-acting lawn insecticide such as Richgro’s Lawn Beetle and Grub Killa Granules. For organic alternatives, try Multicrop's EcoGrub or OCP’s eco-neem. You can also target pests before they appear with pre-emergent controls such as Lawn Solutions Grub Guard Ultimate or Yates Grub Kill & Protect for Lawns Granules. Apply in early spring for up to six months of protection

 

TOP TIP

In winter, clear fallen leaves off the lawn. They look charming but trap moisture, encourage fungal disease, and block out limited sunlight your grass needs to survive.

 

Question:

My neighbour's couch grass is creeping into my buffalo lawn. What can I do? 

Answer: 

It’s a tricky situation. There’s no selective herbicide that targets couch in buffalo, so start with hand weeding. Dig below the buffalo runners to fully remove the invading grass; your lawn will bounce back quickly in spring. If that doesn’t work, the only option is to treat the area with a glyphosate-based herbicide, which will kill both grasses. Add a wetting agent (even a bit of dishwashing detergent) to improve spray coverage, and make sure you’re thorough as couch can be sneaky. While the grass dies back, install a 15cm-deep barrier, such as Corten steel or aluminium edging, to stop future spread. You might need a second herbicide treatment, but don’t worry, glyphosate doesn’t poison the soil. Once the couch is gone, you can safely replant your buffalo lawn.

Question:

How can I repair my lawn after it's been worn into a dirt track by the kids playing?

Answer:

You can patch it using healthy runners from the existing lawn. Start by clearing the bare area. Remove any dead grass and debris to create a clean surface, and top it up with lawn top dressing so it's slightly raised above the surrounding lawn. Cut runners with roots and thick stems from healthy parts of the lawn. Press them into the soil so the roots are covered but the leaves stay exposed, spacing them about 5cm apart. Water the area with a seaweed solution to encourage root growth. Keep it moist and avoid foot traffic for a few weeks while the lawn re-establishes.

Did you know?

Grass can turn purple in winter due to the production of anthocyanin, a pigment that helps protect the plant from cold stress and potential nutrient deficiencies. The colour change is temporary and fades as temperatures rise.