To a great looking lawn?
We moved into our house 3yrs ago and the lawn was lovely and lush. Since then we've had problem after problem with our retic and our lawn has gone from green to brown to green to brown to green to brown. We have brown patches where the retic is not reaching when it's not working properly. We use our hose sprinkler to green it up again.
The grass has become patchy and weedy and the soil looks mouldy.
We live in the North West of Australia.
What are we doing wrong and what should we be doing?
2006-10-30 02:49:41 · 6 answers · asked by nangari 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
We don't have any pets.
The grass always looks better after it's cut.
2006-10-30 11:28:53 · update #1
Normally it's best to water in the morning before the sun comes up, not the evening. Evening watering can cause the mold and so can too much water. Don't water during the day, this can burn the lawn by the water magnifying through the water droplets. You may want to treat the grass for grubs. Grubs can often create brown patches in the lawn. You probably should also use a weed and feed fertilizer on your lawn about 3-4 times a year to help take care of the weeds. Your grass should get about 1-2.5cm of water a week or in the US 1/2"-1" of water a week.
Potassium helps grass roots grow and nitrogen helps the grass leaves grow and stay green. Too much nitrogen and you'll burn the grass. You can't hardly add too much potassium.
2006-10-30 02:59:17 · answer #1 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my experience, it is better to water for shorter amounts of time. For my lawn, the sprinklers are set to go on at 4 and 5 am for 5-7 minutes each. For me 20 minutes is way too long because of the run off. If you water for shorter times, the water has a chance to soak into the soil and get to the roots. If you water too long, you're just wasting water and money. Another benefit to shorter watering times is that, over time, you will actually "train" your lawn to be drought tolerant. Fertilizing a few times a year is also a plus. The key for me is having the sprinklers set. Get a good timer and have them run at the same time each day. Once your lawn gets "trained," you can water less. Currently I am watering every third day, and my lawn looks great. Good luck.
2006-10-30 05:08:16 · answer #2 · answered by Bestie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could be cutting the grass too short and thats all it is. Does the lawn look better before or after you cut it. Raise the blades on your mower, leave the grass to about 25mm (1"). Check for grubs in the lawn as these can eat the roots killing the grass. Do you have a dog (a female). Their urine can kill grass. Look at the simple things before you go putting chemicals on your lawn.
2006-10-30 10:15:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The previous owners were probably using dangerous chemicals on it. Turf grass is not native to your area and so all kinds of things have to be done to it to keep it looking like that. Re-seed with something that will give you a better result. Do you want lush green? Consider alfalfa, if you don;t mind the sweet-smelling flowers. Do you want a golf course? Then it's back to chemicals, but don't be surprised when your children & pets get cancer, and if all the nearby streams are polluted.
Encourage a healthy ecosystem that includes bugs and birds and even the occasional rodent.
2006-10-30 02:59:11 · answer #4 · answered by Kacky 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have a soil sample done on your lawn (by a professional). Check for insects and do a PH test on the soil. They will recommend products specific to your lawn that you should follow...but you don't necessarily have to buy the products from them. Also, maintain a proper watering schedule for you lawn, preferably in the early morning or late evening.
2006-10-30 02:59:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to fertilize it and water it regularly. When you water it let it soak for 20 minutes at least.
2006-10-30 02:54:20 · answer #6 · answered by JD 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋