Mowing
- You can begin to mow when your turf cannot be easily lifted from the soil.
- Mowing will be needed about 2 – 3 weeks after laying your turf.
- We recommend to remove lawn clipping from your mowed lawn, especially if the leaf is left to grow long (i.e. over 30mm). The mown leaf clippings left on your lawn in warm periods & / or humid periods can burn & kill your lawn below. If using a mulch mower, we recommend to rake up leaf clippings if still visible on your lawn after mowing.
- The frequency you will be required to mow your lawn is related to the amount and type of fertilizer you apply to your lawn. To reduce mowing & keep a healthy lawn only fertilize as per recommendations below.
- The basic rule of mowing is, never remove more than ⅓rd of the grass blade height in a single mowing. For best appearance, keep mower blades sharp (this stops the turf bruising).
- Regular mowing at this height will ensure a thick, healthy carpet like lawn.
TifTuf
- TifTuf Bermuda requires regular mowing until it is established. It needs to be mowed frequently during its main growing season, which is summer to decrease the level of scalping. The reccommended mowing height for TifTuf Bermuda is between 23-25mm on a cylinder mower. If you have a rotary mower, the required height is notch 3.
Nullarbor Couch
- Nullarbor Couch requires mowing once per week all year round. Should be mowed at 15mm – 20mm. Nullarbor has high thatch characteristics & will possibly show scalping after mowing.
Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo
- Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo and other Buffalo lawns require mowing every 7 – 10 days in summer & every 14 – 21 days in winter, best kept at 30mm – 40mm in height in sunny areas & 45mm – 60mm in height in shaded areas. Sir Walter will not show signs of scalping after mowing.
Sir Grange Zoysia
- Sir Grange Zoysia is a low mow turf that requires 50% less mowing than other common turf varieties. Mowing Sir Grange can vary based on the time of year and the equipment. For a cylinder mower the recommended height is between 15-20mm and a rotary mower is between 20-40mm. Sir Grange can be left for up to six months without mowing in the cooler seasons but during summer mowing can occur every ten days or when required.
Empire Zoysia
- Empire & Platinum Zoysia require mowing 10 – 15 times in the spring/summer months & very little to none in the autumn/winter months. Empire and Platinum is best kept at 20mm – 30mm in sunny areas & 40mm – 50mm in shady areas.
- Note in winter keep all grass types mowed approximately 10mm longer than suggested summer heights above.
- We recommend that once a year in spring you dethatch your lawn by dropping your mowing height & removing most of the leaf material. This encourages deeper root growth & a healther lawn & allows water to penetrate the root zone. This should be done to all grass types.
Fertilizing
- Fertilizer should be applied & well watered in every 6 – 8 weeks all year round. We recommend light fertilizing often, as heavy fertilizing leads to excessive leaf growth & developing thatching problems. We recommend a fertilizer with a moderate to high Nitrogen (N) value to enhance your lawn appearance.
- Different grasses have different types of fertilizing requirements; ask us for fertilizers suitable for your lawn (Phone 5448 6398)
- Although your lawn has been fertilized previously at the farm, the heavy watering required to establish the turf would tend to leach out most of the nutrients from the soil. It would be beneficial to reapply fertilizer again after installation some 4 weeks later. And then every 6 – 8 weeks as suggested above.
Watering
- Weather conditions dictate the amount and frequency of watering.
- When your lawn is fully established, water your lawn only when it is showing signs of stress (such as wilting or losing colour).
- To develop a drought tolerant lawn, water your lawn for longer periods, but less often, in order to train & develop a deep root system for your lawn. When you shallow & frequently water (as with any plant), you will encourage the roots to come to the surface. The deeper the roots can develop & find moisture, the less you will be required to water your lawn & you will have developed a drought tolerant lawn.
- Use your garden fork to occasionally aerate your lawn. The holes will allow the ground to soak up your water.
