What’s the best lawn fertiliser for my lawn? A full guide.

For new gardeners and lawn lovers picking the right fertiliser can be daunting and confusing. It’s hard to know if you are buying a quality product or buying some fancy marketing.

Here is a quick, easy to use guide to match the right fertiliser to your specific lawn goals. All products here can be sourced from Ralphy’s Lawn and Garden Supplies, a great WA business. All the fertilisers in this article are produced by WA companies and can be purchased online and delivered to your door by Ralphy’s.

Click on the link to find up to date pricing and to make an order. Conversely, if you would prefer that a professional looks after your lawns and gardens for your then contact Silverstone Gardening for a quote today.

Should I Use Liquid or Granule Fertiliser?

Both are great, but they have different purposes. So one type may be better suited for your goals.

Put simply, liquid fertilisers are fast acting, but short lived. You will likely see improvement 4-24 hours after application, but the benefits will only last 2-4 weeks. They give a beautiful even colour if applied correctly and are great for colder weather.

Granule fertilisers are usually slow or controlled release. They last a lot longer, most average around 6-8 weeks, some 10-12 weeks and a rare few will even last 6 months. In Perth conditions it granule fertilisers can loose effectiveness when the cold winter weather hits.

If you are looking for long lasting results use granule fertiliser, if you want a quick colour boost or a good option for winter use liquid fertiliser?

How much fertiliser should I use in WA conditions?

It is very common for WA lawn lovers to over fertilise and to over water (click here to find how to correctly water).

The simple advice is to follow what the manufacturers label says. If you are using a new product for the first time and the label says “30-50g per m2” I would apply 40g per m2 as my first application and adjust for future applications based on how my first application went.

When is the best time to fertilise a lawn in WA?

Here is a basic sample calendar to help you understand what a yearly program might look like. You can follow this as general timing guide, if you follow this you will have huge improvements to a tired, patchy lawn. However, to get the best results use the fertiliser guides at the bottom of the article to find the exact fertiliser that best suits your goals and starting condition.

I WA it is best to fertilise year round. Our sandy soils are so lacking in nutrients that they need to be regularly supplemented to have a thick, lush, healthy lawn.

Yearly Fertiliser Plan For WA Lawns

Here is a basic sample calendar to help you understand what a yearly program might look like. You can follow this as general timing guide. If you follow this you will have huge improvements for a tired, patchy lawn that gets inconstant to no fertilising.

Our 8 best lawn fertilisers for WA lawns

All of these fertilisers are made by WA companies and suit WA conditions. If you are in Perth, Albany, Geraldton, Bunbury or Broome these products will be great for your lawns.

6 Great Granule Lawn Fertilisers For WA Lawns

I want to help my patchy, struggling lawn

Eco- Prime Red

Eco-Prime Red is a great fertiliser to help root and stolon growth. This is a unique mineral fertiliser which combines a complex blend of nutrients like Potassium Sulphate and granulated Soft Rock Phosphate with premium biology, including Mycorrhizal fungi and phosphorus solubilisers (including Bacillus megaterium).

My lawn is okay, but I want a boost in colour and health.

Eco Prime Emerald

Eco-Prime Emerald gives lawns a fantastic colour and a great growth boost. It is not just a complete rock mineral NPK fertiliser, but is also made with with beneficial microbes. Eco-Prime Emerald was made to enhance your lawn by providing balanced nutrition and strong root growth.

Baileys 311

Baileys 3.1.1. Granulated is a Western Australian designed and manufactured product tailored to our soil profile and conditions. It is a “homogenous compound fertiliser” which simply means that you will get very even nutrient distribution. A great product for WA lawns

I want to help may lawn recover from a vertimow/lawn renovation

SG Renovate (Also known as Spraing and Autumn)

This range of fertilisers are actually commercial grade fertilisers made available to the public (which is why there isn’t fancy branding on the packaging) . SG renovate is a fantastic fertiliser for after completing a lawn renovation. High trace elements give a beautiful colour and a balanced of NPK helps recovery and healthy growth.

I want a deep green colour

SG Maintain (Also known as Gold)

This gives some of the best colour response that we have seen (this is the fertiliser used in the video earlier in this article). Extremely high Iron and high Nitrogen cause amazing colour. This is from the same range as the fertiliser above which is why the packaging is the same.

I want a starter fertiliser for new lawns

Eco Prime Purple

Eco Prime Purple has a sophisticated blend of nutrients. Everything from high Potassium through to a granulated silicate mineral complex, which is enhanced with Mycorrhizal fungi and Nitrogen-fixing bacteria. It is a great fertiliser to apply when laying new turf

2 Great Liquid Lawn Fertilisers For Perth Lawns

I want a colour boost and an increase in growth.

Turfect Green Plus

Green Plus is a professional grade, liquid fertiliser, formulated to produce deep green colour and vigorous turf growth quickly.

As a foliar applied product, it can be applied throughout the year, particularly in cooler months to maintain colour and health. It provides a readily available source of essential turf nutrients, nitrogen, iron, magnesium and manganese to rapidly address deficiency.  

I want a deep green colour without an increase in growth.

Turfect Rapid Green

Rapid Green is a professional grade, liquid fertiliser, formulated to produce extended deep green colour on turf, without growth.

It does this by providing a readily available source of iron and manganese to rapidly address deficiency and induce chlorophyll production. The results are quickly seen. A great product for any lawn lover.

If you have other questions about lawn fertiliser, how to apply it or anything else, check out our Complete Lawn Fertiliser Guide at this link.

However, if when reading this article, everything seemed too complicated and you just want a professional to look after your lawns and gardens, then contact us today. Silverstone Gardening hire experienced and qualified gardeners who can solve issues and make huge improvements with WA lawns and garden. Get in touch for a quote today.

The post Which fertilisers are best for WA lawns? appeared first on Silverstone Gardening.

The most common questions we get asked about lawn fertiliser

If you are a lawn lover, learning about lawn fertiliser can be confusing and technical. In this article, we break down the most common questions we get and use our experience – having helped thousands of clients with their lawns – to help you get the results you are after.

Feel free to read the whole article or skip the questions that are most important to you right now; whatever is of most help to you.

What is lawn fertiliser?

Firstly, fertilisers are natural, chemical, or mineral compounds that supplement lawns and plants, giving them essential nutrients they are not getting from the soil. Secondly, fertilisers help plants and lawns grow deeper roots, healthy green leaves, and become more tolerant of stress. They also help plants grow more flowers and more fruit.

Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) (collectively, NPK) are known as macronutrients and are the main nutrients that lawns and plants need to survive and thrive.

There are many different micronutrients, often called trace elements, that also have huge benefits to lawns and plants. However, they are just needed in smaller quantities compared to NPK. Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Boron (B), Iron (Fe), Molybdenum (Mo), and Magnesium (Mg) are all examples of micronutrients/trace elements.

When you read your fertiliser packaging, there will always be numbers on it that look just like this.

This shows exactly how much macro and micronutrients are in your fertiliser. This essentially is the same as the nutritional analysis on the packaging of food but instead of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, the fertiliser analysis includes Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.

If you are trying to achieve a specific goal with your fertiliser program, you can find out the macro or micro nutrients you need and then look for a suitable brand or make of fertiliser that meets your lawn or garden’s nutritional requirements.

What do Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium do in lawns?

Here is a very simple breakdown of what Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium do for your lawn.

• Nitrogen: Increases your lawn’s leaf colour and growth.

• Phosphorus: Increases the development and growth of your lawn roots.

• Potassium: Improves overall lawn health

Why are there both granule and liquid lawn fertilisers?

Lawn fertilisers come in two forms: granule and liquid. They have their own unique benefits so are often used to compliment each other.

What’s the difference between granule and liquid fertilisers?

Granule lawn fertilisers:

Granule fertilisers are absorbed through the roots, are often slower acting, and longer lasting. Most brands last 6-12 weeks but some can last up to six months.

Liquid lawn fertilisers:

Liquid lawn fertilisers can be absorbed through the leaf or the roots. Being absorbed through the leaf makes them much faster-acting; sometimes you can see visible results in under 4 hours. However, they are also much more short-lived, usually only lasting between 2 and 4 weeks.

How do I apply fertiliser to my lawn?

Fertilisers need to be applied evenly over lawns. If the application is uneven or patchy, the results will be uneven or patchy.

For home lawns, granule fertilisers can be applied by hand, using a hand-held spreader or a walk-behind spreader. Liquid fertilisers can be applied by a watering can, a hose-on bottle, a pressure sprayer, or through a reticulation system.

What is the best way to apply lawn fertiliser?

The best results from any fertilisation will come from the most even applicators. If the fertiliser is applied unevenly over the surface the results will be patchy uneven colour. Here are the best ways to apply granule and liquid fertilisers

Granule lawn fertiliser:

For granule fertilisers apply with a handheld spreader or walk-behind broadcast spreader. These spreaders will evenly throw the fertiliser as you walk across your lawn, giving the best results.

Handheld spreaders are great for small lawns and are much cheaper than walk-behind options. Walk-behind broadcasters throw much further and as a result, are much quicker for large areas.

Throwing the fertiliser by hand is likely to create patchy results so we would not recommend this as an option.

Liquid lawn fertilisers:

For liquid fertilisers, apply with a pressure sprayer (as pictured below) and use a fan nozzle (most high-quality sprayers will come with a fan nozzle, along with other nozzle options). This will deliver a fine, even mist as you walk across your lawn. For more information on applying liquid fertilisers through a pressure sprayer, click here (this link will take you to a video; watch from 2:40 onwards).

Whilst you can apply with a watering can or hose-on applicators, it is very difficult to give the whole lawn the exact same amount of product. However, the biggest issue is that these applicators will usually apply fertiliser with too much water. This excess water washes the fertiliser off the leaf which, for most liquid fertilisers, will reduce the product’s effectiveness.

Although they are uncommon, there are some liquid fertilisers that should be watered in. If this is the case, then a hose-on applicator could be considered if a pressure sprayer was not an option.

How long does it take lawn fertiliser to work?

If applying a liquid fertiliser, you should expect to see results in 4-48 hours depending on the product, time of year, and starting state of the lawn.

If applying a granule product, it can take 2-7 days before you start seeing results but the improvements often continue for weeks.

Check out these amazing results we had at one of our client’s lawns in Canning Vale, Perth WA.

When is the best time to fertilise my lawn?

Spring is generally considered the best time to fertilise, however, fertilising should not be a once-off event. Remember, if you are using a liquid fertiliser, the benefits may only last 2-4 weeks; granule fertilisers will generally last 6-8 weeks.

In many areas, you can and should fertilise year-round.

Can I water my lawn after fertilising?

If you are using a granule fertiliser, then yes, you should definitely water the lawn after applying the fertiliser. This will help get the fertiliser off the lawn leaf and down into the soil where it is needed. If you do not water it in, you risk burning the lawn and causing more damage than good.

If you are using a liquid fertiliser, then the answer is generally no, you should not water the fertiliser in. This is because most liquid fertilisers work best when absorbed by the leaf. Watering the fertiliser off the leaf will often reduce its affect.

However, there are some exceptions to these rules. To be sure that you are applying your fertiliser correctly, always read the label.

How long should I water my lawn for after fertilising?

For granule fertilisers, you should run a full reticulation cycle with 10mm of watering. If you don’t know how to set your sprinklers to give 10mm of water, read our how-to article here.

For liquid fertilisers, you should not water your lawn after application (there are some very rare exceptions so read the label to check before applying).

Is it okay to put lawn fertiliser on wet lawn?

For liquid fertilisers:

No. This will dilute the spray and may cause the fertiliser to run off the leaf. Both dilution and run-off will reduce the effectiveness of the fertiliser.

For granule fertilisers:

Yes. But only if the product is going to be watered in immediately after application. However, if a granule lawn fertiliser is applied to a damp leaf and then not watered in immediately, you may run the risk of staining or burning the lawn as shown in the photo below.

Some lawns are so big that it is not advisable to apply granule lawn fertiliser to a wet law. By the time you have finished applying, there is a chance that the product may have already started burning or staining the lawn.

Should I fertilise my lawn before or after rain?

For liquid fertilisers you should avoid applying on rainy days.

After rain, damp leaves will dilute the spray and may cause the fertiliser to run off the leaf. As mentioned above, both dilution and run-off will reduce the effectiveness of the fertiliser.

For granule fertilisers the answer is a bit more complicated.

It depends on how much rain is going to come and how likely the rain is to come.

Lawn fertilising before rain

When you SHOULD NOT fertilise before rain:

1. When the rain is going to be a heavy, long-lasting downpour: Too much rain can cause the fertiliser to break down too quickly and leach too far into the soil. Once the fertiliser has leached away, it is of no use to your lawn anymore.
   Too much rain can also wash newly applied fertiliser off the lawn. Both events are bad for your lawns (and also the environment).
2. When the rain is inconsistent or too light: 1-2mm of rain in the hour after fertilisation can cause the fertiliser to sit on damp leaves. If this is the case for too long – as mentioned above, – you may run the risk of staining or burning the lawn as shown in the photo above.

When you SHOULD fertilise before rain:

1. When you are certain that your lawn will receive 10-15mm of water within 1-2 hours.

Lawn fertilising after rain

When you SHOULD NOT fertilise after rain:

1. When the lawn is damp and too wet to successfully water in.
2. When water is pooled on the lawn.

When you SHOULD fertilise after rain:

1. When the lawn leaf has dried and the soil is not pooling or waterlogged.

Can I over-fertilise my lawn?

Yes, you can over-fertilise a lawn. There are some bad consequences that come with over-fertilising and, unfortunately, this is actually quite a common occurrence for WA homeowners.

Two ways you can tell if you have over-fertilised your lawn:

1. The lawn has become burnt and crispy after applying lawn fertiliser: This may happen in patches or over the whole lawn. This is caused when too much fertiliser is applied per square meter in one application. For example, instead of applying 30g per m2, we apply 90g per m2 hoping that we may triple the benefits. Unfortunately, instead of more benefits, there are only negatives.
2. The lawn has become thatchy/spongy, is hard to mow, and is easy to scalp: Three factors can cause this:
   1. The lawn is fertilised with too much nitrogen, too often. This is especially common when using high-nitrogen fertilisers like Urea (read here for more info)
   2. When the lawn is over-watered.
   3. When the lawn isn’t cut very frequently.

If your lawn is spongy and thatchy, often the only solution is to vertimow the lawn. This can be very expensive, so avoiding over-fertilisation will save your bank account a bit of pain.

Should I mow my lawn after fertilising?

No, you should not mow your lawn after fertilising. If you mow after applying liquid fertiliser, you will cut off the fertilised leaf before it has had a chance to be fully absorbed into the plant. If you mow after applying granule fertiliser, you will most likely suck up a large percentage of the fertiliser you have just applied.

Even if you are mulch mowing (a type of mowing that recycles clippings and doesn’t use a catcher), you will chop up the small fertiliser granules, which will make your fertiliser break down quicker. This means that the fertiliser will not benefit the lawn for as long as advertised and will require reapplication much more frequently.

For most situations, it is best to wait at least 2 days before mowing

What should you do next?

I hope you have found this article very helpful. If you are now looking for a great fertiliser for your lawn and you live in Western Australia, click this link. We give a list of the best fertilisers for WA conditions.

However, if when reading this article, everything seemed too complicated and you just want a professional to look after your lawns and gardens, then contact us today. Silverstone Gardening hires experienced and qualified gardeners who can solve issues and make huge improvements with WA lawns and gardens. Get in touch for a quote today.

The post The Complete Lawn Fertiliser Guide appeared first on Silverstone Gardening.

Don’t get me wrong, urea has a place in lawn and garden care, but if you are looking for a lush, green, stress-tolerant home lawn, steer clear of urea. I have four alternatives that will make a huge difference for your Western Australian lawn.

What’s the problem with using Urea?

When you fertilise your lawn or garden, there are different macro and micro nutrients that your lawns and plants need to thrive. The three main nutrients your lawns and plants need (macro nutrients) are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). In addition, there are lots of micro nutrients like Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Sulfur (S) and many more that are useful.

Nitrogen helps leaf growth and colour. Phosphorus helps roots, fruits and flowers. Potassium helps the plant’s general health.

Urea’s nutritional break down is simply this: Lots of nitrogen, nothing else.

Because nitrogen helps your lawn grow lots of dark green leaves, on the surface it looks like some really good things are happening, but these are literally just surface level improvements.

You see, the problem with urea is not that it has no benefits; it is that it doesn’t have enough benefits and in the medium and long term, this is going to have negative consequences for your lawn.

3 common issues with urea-fertilised lawns

1. Too much growth which leads to a thatchy/spongy lawn.
   This thatch ultimately limits the lawn’s water and nutrient uptake which reduces colour and vibrancy in the hotter months. The only remedy for thatch is an expensive and laborious vertimowing service.
2. No root growth promoted.
   This results in a lawns that struggle in the hotter months. It is not uncommon for these lawns to look green and beautiful until the very first heat wave comes.
3. Little disease resistance.
   Because the lawn is lacking in key nutrients, it becomes weak and susceptible to some fungal diseases.

4 great alternatives that will give you a beautiful lawn

The following options are complete fertilisers from WA companies made for WA conditions. At Silverstone Gardening, we have used all of these products and have had great success. So, in no particular order:

Bailey’s Sure Green Gold/Maintain

This fertiliser has 50% of it’s nitrogen readily available and 50% slow release. This means that your lawn will get an instant hit AND will also not need to be fed again for 10-12 weeks post-application. A high iron content means a deep, rich colour and moderate amounts of phosphorus and potassium make this a great fertiliser for the growing season.

Click here for more information on Sure Green Gold/Maintain

Baileys 411

This product is a great winter fertiliser. It has a lot of phosphorus and a wide range of micro nutrients which is great for lawn health. It also has a form of nitrogen that is more readily available in the winter months.

Click here for more information on 411

Eco-Prime Emerald

Emerald is a complete rock mineral NPK fertiliser impregnated with beneficial microbes. It’s a very good growing season fertiliser that gives a great colour and promotes root growth.

Click here for more information on Emerald

Eco-Prime Red

Red has high potassium and very high phosphorus content which makes it great for promoting root growth and plant health. Great to use on new lawn and also on patchy lawn.

Click here for more information on Red

If choosing the right fertiliser is too complicated for you, contact us today. We can organise for an experienced gardener to diagnose exactly what you lawn need and apply the correct fertilisers to suit.

The post Why Urea is bad for WA home lawns (+ 4 great alternatives!) appeared first on Silverstone Gardening.

For a lot of people having a great lawn is a mystery. Whilst there is no single “Magic Bullet” that will save the day there are some really good tips that will make some major differences in your lawn.

Water is key

The first thing we have to do before anything else is to get water on to the lawn. It is unfortunately common for people to neglect their reticulation system when trying to get a beautiful lawn/garden. This is either because they haven’t understood it’s importance, or they find fixing and setting a retic system daunting or confusing.

If you find yourself in this boat this article should help. Also don’t be afraid to hire a professional reticulation service. Whilst it will cost money a functioning reticulation system is so important to your lawn success that it will be worth it.

If you are confident with you DIY skills you will need to check for three things. Run your sprinklers and check for any:

1. Broken pipes or broken/aging sprinklers (it’s always best to replace old sprinklers before they break)
2. Flush the pipes and nozzles of any sand.
3. Make sure your sprinkler run time is set to get 10mm of water per station (If you don’t know how to do that this article and video will help)

Getting to the roots

WA has a huge sandy soil issue. Our sandy soils are hydrophobic and often heavily compacted. These issues cause the water we put on our lawn to pool on the surface instead of soaking down to the root level where it is needed. A lot of water and nutrients can be wasted this way causing lawns to struggle, especially in the hotter months.

The two big solutions for sandy soils are wetting agents and core aeration. Wetting agents will temporarily fix the hydrophobic nature of the sandy soil, helping water to get down to the roots. Core aeration will relieve soil compaction making it much easier for water, air and nutrients to get down to the root layer. Doing both together will make a huge difference to the colour, growth and stress tolerance of your lawn.

Making your lawn thick, green and healthy

Sandy soils, on top of being hydrophobic, also lack the nutrients needed to keep lawns lush and healthy. As a result, it is essential to supplement your lawn’s diet with a high quality, balanced fertiliser. These fertilisers give your lawn the nutrients is needs to not only grow lush and thick but also have the beautiful deep green colour that we are all looking for. In addition, a complete fertiliser will promote root growth which over time will help your lawn to thrive in the hot summer months.

Mowing that makes a difference

Perhaps you have never thought of this before but the reality is that every time your lawn is mowed it is being damaged. Too much damage from mowing can halt your lawns progress from desert to oasis. The key to beneficial mowing is to cut as frequently as possible to remove as little as possible with every mow. This regular mowing practice will 1) Reduce the stress your lawn is under after each mow 2) Train the lawn to grow thicker rather than taller and 3) Reduce weed growth and seed production.

Consistency is key

Lawns are a living organism so just like one or two visits to the gym per year does not make a healthy human, one or two fertilisations per year will not make a healthy lawn. Correct watering, frequent mowing, regular fertiliser/wetting agent applications and occasional aeration are the wise gardener’s foundation to a healthy, vibrant lawn. Great changes will happen but not in one week. Consistency is the key.

What to do if it is all too hard

Information is great but action is what causes transformation. If our tips for a beautiful lawn feel confusing, daunting or the work required too much for your busy schedule, there is still hope. Silverstone Gardening provides all these services and more to get the amazing results we have shown here.

If you are looking for a budget service done yesterday then this may not be the service for you. But if you want a reliable, high quality service done by experienced gardeners, backed up by an organised, friendly admin team, then we are here to help.

Contact us today to get beautiful lawns at your house without the hassle.

The post 5 Quick Tips for a Beautiful Lawn appeared first on Silverstone Gardening.

After more than 10 years of gardening, helping thousands of clients across Perth’s suburbs there have been several common mistakes that home owners and hobby gardeners make. Too many people under appreciate is the importance of fertiliser.

I am here to try and start a conversation about fertiliser and I hope that this simple blog will help you take your lawns and gardens to the next level. I don’t want this to be too complicated, we will keep things fairly basic. May this be the start of your lawn and garden improvement journey.

The basics

I believe that lawns and plants need 4 things to thrive,

1. Water
2. Light
3. Nutrients and
4. Protection from damage (bugs, disease, weeds, traffic etc.)

I think of these four points like four legs of a table. You can’t cut a leg off a table without it becoming shaky, unstable or even outright falling over. Likewise, you need all four of the above points for your plants and lawns to be beautiful and healthy, only having 3 is not enough.

So, to put it practically a lawn that receives plenty of water, enough light and is not being damaged by pests or diseases will still struggle if it is planted in poor quality soil lacking in nutrients.

The truth: Most WA soils have little to no nutrients.

It’s true. This is because Western Australian soil is, for the most part, sand. There are some areas, rare spots indeed, where this is not the case. But these spots are few and far between. The sandy soils in WA are very hydrophobic and are almost completely lacking in any of the core nutrients needed for most plants and almost all lawn varieties to survive without some supplementation.

The reason why fertilising is crucial is because fertilisers contain the nutrients that our lawns and plants need to thrive. This means that for most plants and lawns that we place in our gardens if we do not replace the soil they are in or supplement with fertiliser they will be completely missing one off the four legs they need to stand on.

More water is not the answer

An honest but common mistake that I see with those new to gardening is that when a plant starts to go yellow, they add more water. It is a very deceptive problem and maybe you have done this too.

It is deceptive because it is sometimes the case that a yellow leaf will indicate insufficient water (usually though this will be accompanied by wilting or drooping leaves). However, it is far more common that a yellow leaf (Chlorosis is the technical term) is actually being caused by a lack of nutrients. Minerals like Nitrogen, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese and others are essential for plants. Without them the plant cannot photosynthesize. When the plant starts to yellow it may be crying out for a good feed not a good drink and in some cases adding more water will actually do more harm than good.

If you need help with how to set your reticulation click here.

Take Action: Which fertiliser is best?

So now we know that fertilisers are needed, they give the nutrients our plants and lawns are lacking . The obvious question remains. Which fertiliser should you use?

Whilst there is a lot to learn about fertilisers here are 3 fool proof tips that will help even a complete novice to get great results.

3 Basic tips for picking fertiliser.

1. Don’t get so caught up in brand names or prices that you never take action. A general, cheap NPK fertiliser applied as recommended on the packet will do a great amount of good for most plants struggling for nutrients. Whilst there are differences in brands and some fertilisers are better than others, a good or even average fertiliser applied today is better than a perfect fertiliser that is never applied.
   
   However, if you are looking for some recommendations for great WA lawn fertilisers read our article here.
2. Follow the label. Many brands have specific fertiliser mixes for specific types of plants and they advertise these on their packaging. There are fertiliser mixes for lawns, citrus, roses, vegies, fruit and more. These are not gimmicks, the fertiliser have been mixed with these plants in mind. Some will be better than others, but a cheap citrus blend applied as recommended to a citrus tree will do a great job.
3. Don’t go crazy. Maybe your lawn is yellow and you are now super excited, having discovered the power of fertiliser, to make it green again. I have been there before. The temptation in this situation is to over apply, double the recommended dosage hoping that your lawn improvements will be twice as good in half the time. Unfortunately, it is not always that simple. Too much fertiliser can burn the lawns or plants you are caring for or even cause other issues. In addition if you over apply you may simply find that most of it just gets washed away.
   
   Remember that the fertiliser manufacturer wants you to succeed when you use their fertiliser. This way you will buy more of their fertiliser in the future. Trust their recommendations, they have done the tests for you and know the best ratios to apply for each circumstance to get great results.

Conclusion

Now you know the basics. Go and make your lawns and gardens thrive!! Also take some before any after pictures, it can be really rewarding.

If all this seems a bit to complicated or to time consuming for your busy schedule fill out a quote request and one of our gardeners will be able to come and help you achieve your goals for your lawns and gardens.

Have a great week.

The post Don’t underestimate the power of fertiliser for WA lawns and gardens appeared first on Silverstone Gardening.

If you are looking for a beautiful lawn in WA condition this Autumn then here are 4 tips that we use to get amazing results. These tips are universal and will be beneficial for all common WA lawns including Buffalo, Couch, Kikuyu and Zoysia.

Here’s how to get your Perth lawn to thrive through Autumn.

1. Apply a high quality granule fertiliser.

Even though the days are getting shorter, there is still residual warmth in the soil from the summer months. This means that your lawn is still actively growing. Therefore, fertilising in autumn still has huge benefits for your lawn.

A complete fertiliser will help your lawn to form strong, deep roots, will increase colour and will help with the lawns general health in preparation for the slow-down that will come with winter.

The best time to fertilise is while it’s still a little warm. Typically in Perth, March and April are more effective months for granule fertilising as it can be a little too cold by the time May comes around.

(Here is a great organic slow-release and balanced granule fertiliser that can be used on just about every plant.)

2. Prevent ant control lawn pests.

Lawn pests can do a lot of damage to a lawn and they are most often active in Perth lawns during Autumn. Some pests are worse than others but all need to be taken seriously.

One of the most common lawn grubs is Army worm. A large infestation can eat through an small to average residential lawn in just two nights. They are active in the evening and love moist and soggy areas of your lawn.

The best way to deal with Army worm is with a preventative insecticide. Accelepryn is the highest quality and safest product on the market, but it might be too expensive for some home owners.

However, if applied at the end of summer, or start of autumn it will prevent almost all common WA lawn pests for around 6 months. (Note: it may be cheaper for some people to pay for a licensed spray business, like Silverstone Gardening, to apply this product than to buy the product outright. Contact us if you would like a quote)

Bifenthrin based products like Richgro Lawn Beetle And Grub Killa and Surefire Fivestar are a lot more common and affordable. They do have some residual effect but are more effective as a knockdown treatment after the pests have started to damage the lawn.

Make sure you apply these to your lawn according to the instructions. Our recommendation is, if you can, apply these products to your lawn at night or late evening. This is because Armyworms are nocturnal, and so are most other lawn pests, so night application will give you the best results.

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3. Prevent winter weeds with a pre-emergent

Autumn is when most common lawn weeds will germinate, these weeds will grow and become a nuisance throughout winter and spring . Putting down a pre-emergent herbicide will prevent a large portion of these weeds from appearing in your lawn to start with.

As with high quality preventative insecticides, the highest quality pre-emergent herbicides that are the safest and most effect are quite expensive. Products like Spartan and Barricade range from $120 to $270 for a single bottle, in addition to needing professional spraying equipment so are not always an option for the home user. (Note: as with preventative insecticides it may be cheaper for some people to pay for a licensed spray business. Contact Silverstone Gardening if you would like a quote)

Munns Wintergrass Killer, avaliable at Bunnings, is a much more economical preventative option for wintergrass only. Even though it is limited in the weeds it controls it is still a great option for those who have a limited budget.

4. Mow a little higher in Autumn.

Finally, try and keep your lawn a little longer during the cooler months by increasing the height of cut on your lawn mower. Leaving more lawn blade surface area exposed to the sun will help increase photosynthesis as the days.

Cutting your lawn a little higher in cooler months can also assist with the suppression of weeds.

It doesn’t have to be a huge change, for most circumstances 1cm is enough. If highly shaded areas you may need to increase the height of cut in those areas by 2-3cm.

I hope you will find this article super helpful to achieving your lawn goals.

If you think that all this work seems like too much effort or too complicated, Silverstone Gardening can help! Contact Us today and one of our friendly and expereinced gardeners can help get your lawn looking amazing

Jamie

Byford

“Lawns Look Perfect”

As always great communication & lawn…

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“Lawns Look Perfect”

As always great communication & lawns look perfect. Thanks again for a professional service!

Jamie

Byford

Amy

Armadale

“Did it Properly, No Short Cuts”

The boys did an amazing job. They’…

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“Did it Properly, No Short Cuts”

The boys did an amazing job. They’ve done what was and they did it properly, no short cuts and also cleaned up after themselves. 10/10 would go back again.

Amy

Armadale

Neville

Seville Grove

“The Boys are Very Professional”

I am very pleased with the vertimowing j…

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“The Boys are Very Professional”

I am very pleased with the vertimowing job done on my lawns. The grass is growing well now. The boys are very professional and explained what the process was, and did a great job. Many thanks, Neville.

Neville

Seville Grove

Kirby

Byford

“Friendly, Informative & Efficient”

We were very happy with the job done, yo…

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“Friendly, Informative & Efficient”

We were very happy with the job done, your gardeners were friendly, informative and efficient. We are very happy with the quote provided to us and will definitely be continuing with our lawn mowing. Thank you kindly!

Kirby

Byford

Chloe

Armadale

“My Lawn Looks Amazing”

I have serious lawn envy. My lawn looks…

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“My Lawn Looks Amazing”

I have serious lawn envy. My lawn looks amazing.

Great service, fit me on the books super quickly, great communication via text and email.

Would highly recommend!

Chloe

Armadale

The post 4 Tips for Perth Lawn Care in Autumn appeared first on Silverstone Gardening.

I don’t know about you but I am so excited that it is finally spring. As a gardener, it is the perfect time of year to turn old, worn out lawns and gardens into lush, green, gorgeous settings. Throughout the rest of the year we can have tactics, knowledge and experience to help us create majestic gardens but in spring we also have mother nature on our side and that makes a huge difference. Probably the biggest tactic that a gardener can use to reinvigorate their garden after a slow winter is fertiliser, so let’s have a look at this landscaper’s weapon. We’ve made this guide to lawn fertiliser to give you a basic understanding, all in one place.

WHY SHOULD I FERTILISE MY LAWNS?

One of the first things that I need to say right at the start of this article is this: Western Australian lawns need fertiliser. Now, obviously with any rule there are some exceptions, however, these exceptions are very rare indeed. In 2016, Silverstone Gardening did work at over 350 different residential locations in the Rockingham, Kwinana, Baldivis and Port Kennedy areas and we didn’t find a single lawn that wouldn’t have benefited from fertilisation.

NEW ESTATES

The reason why our lawns need fertilisation is due to our very sandy, low-nutrient soils. New developments typically build houses on large pads of yellow sand. This sand is great for keeping your house from falling over but has very few nutrients at all. As a result, many new lawns, even if they are getting a healthy amount of water, slowly degrade over time as the plants nutrient needs are not met in the soils. This can be seen over a matter of months and results in patchy, yellow lawns that will eventually be overtaken by weeds.  

So why fertilise in new estates? Because fertiliser is needed to give your lawn the nutrients that it desperately needs. Without fertiliser, it is likely that the quality of your lawn will decline over time.

OLDER ESTATES

Older estates, whilst also being built on soil that is not designed for lawn health, usually do not have as much of a drastic problem as new estates. This is mainly a result of soils having had time for organic matter to break down and add some nutrients, however, the amount of nutrients is rarely enough to maintain a lush, green lawn.  

So why fertilise in older estates? Because without fertiliser your lawn may be ok but it is unlikely that it will ever be outstanding.

WHAT FERTILISER SHOULD I USE?

Okay. So now we know that soils in WA are not likely to have enough nutrients to maintain a healthy lawn so what types of fertiliser should we be using to get the results we are looking for? Firstly any fertiliser is always better than no fertiliser, so don’t become paralysed by the number of options. You are better off doing something rather than nothing.

We could get into writing a huge, multi-page article to answer all the different, intricate details about lawn fertilisers. However I am going to give you all the basics that you need to know by the end of this paragraph. Liquid vs Granular fertilisers? Liquids are absorbs quicker where as granular fertilisers are slower releasing so have a longer lasting effect. Rule of thumb, use granular. Organic vs Non-organic? Organic will in the long run build up a better quality soil however are much more expensive. Rule of thumb, if budget is not an issue use organic, if budget is an issue use non-organic rather than doing nothing at all. Ratio of NPK? If fertiliser has N, P and K (NItrogen, Phosphorus, Potasium) then ratios usually have very small variances within brands and will have small differences in your lawns. Some few fertilisers might not have the whole mix of NPK , for example some fertilisers don’t have phosphorus so that it is not necessary to water in. In most circumstances it is best to get and NPK fertiliser. Rule of thumb, get NPK and don’t worry about specific ratios.

HOW SHOULD I FERTILISE MY LAWNS?

When fertilising lawns it is always best to spread with a specialised fertiliser broadcaster, you can buy these at Bunnings, these can be hand held or driven by wheels. Hand held broadcasters typically do not hold much fertiliser so are not practical for large lawns, wheel driven broadcasters are great for larger applications but may be overkill on small lawns like those found in new developments.

When spreading make sure that your lawn has not been cut in the last day or two, freshly cut lawn will be easily burnt by the highly concentrated fertiliser. Your broadcaster should have a dial that will allow you to adjust the amount of fertiliser spread per square meter, you will need to make sure that the setting matches the recommended application rate given by the manufacturer ( i.e. 40 grams per square meter). Once the fertiliser is spread water in well to make sure that your lawn is not burnt. Fertiliser sitting on top of the lawn will be of no benefit to you, make sure it gets into your soil.

WHEN SHOULD I FERTILISE MY LAWNS?

To put it simply the best time to fertilise is when the grass is growing. Small and regular applications are much better than random large applications. So a good rule of thumb is a small to medium amount spread every 6-10 weeks during the growing season (September-March).

If you have found anything in this article helpful then we would love to hear from you on our Facebook page. If this all seems like it could be a bit too much work and you live in the Rockingham, Kwinana, Port Kennedy or Baldivis areas, then contact our office here. All the best for your lawns this spring!

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Lawn Fertiliser appeared first on Silverstone Gardening.