Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jul 09, 2011 12:46 pm Rolled out the new sapphire soft leaf buffalo about 6 weeks ago and because the grass is still not established and dormant wintergrass is trying to get in everywhere. At the moment I am pulling it out by hand. I am afraid to spray because the grass is still so new. What should I do? Oh and one puss has taken to pooping on it too. She has a litter tray outside and won't use the soil in the garden. Any suggestions. Re: Wintergrass and other weeds in new turf 2Jul 09, 2011 2:14 pm Can't help about the cat but I feel your pain with the weeds. We have Sapphire Buffalo (installed in March) and I started pulling by hand but we've taken to spot spraying. The problem is, using the wintergrass spray that is supposedly still safe for buffalo results in noticeable brown patches that take a couple of weeks to come back. We've got another round that need spraying but we're going to use a cone to try ad keep as much of the spray off the buffalo. Good luck... Re: Wintergrass and other weeds in new turf 3Jul 10, 2011 11:33 pm Oh my goodness what are you doing? Just leave the weeds, it won't make any difference just now. The lawn is weak and won't recover so more weeds show. If you spray the more harm is done to the biology of the soil. The more you harm the living soil the weaker your lawn gets and so the problem perpetuates. This then means you spend more money still, time and hard work for nothing. Your lawn needs peace and balance. It takes time. May as well have some weeds than a bare patch. Wait till summer or spring on the east coast when the soil warms up. That is when you can spray to sort, then we can implement a programme to make the lawn stronger by making the soil come alive with life. This may go against all what you want to do and in 99% of cases what many turf and horticulturists will say but I can assure you that all that will come of that advice is more of the same. Patience folks, patience. Re: Wintergrass and other weeds in new turf 4Jul 10, 2011 11:34 pm Oh and the answers you seek to this problem are covered so many times already you'd lose your self in the answers Re: Wintergrass and other weeds in new turf 5Jul 11, 2011 10:38 am Suits me, Fu. It seems like it's raining every second day anyway, so hubby only spot sprayed the once...we haven't had a decent run of dry weather. Re: Wintergrass and other weeds in new turf 6Jul 11, 2011 11:02 pm ok, no spray for new rolled out turf. Bit dissapointing though to see crappy weeds peeking through. And puss, I think I'll put some loose netting in that area so she doesn't like to walk on it. Re: Wintergrass and other weeds in new turf 7Jul 12, 2011 12:10 am Its pretty normal for weeds to show on new turf. Its not often from in the turf but from long dormant seeds in the soil. Also remember that weeds are the ultimate opportunists. They see a chance as the blow across on the wind after its been laid and get going because the turf has had its legs cut off and isn't in a healthy state for a fight. Its all fixable later and do it when you have a real chance of sorting it. Spend the rest of the time feeding the soil. Molasses, blood and bone Seamungus Green liquid composts, poo teas worm wee. Are you mowing it your self or is a contractor mowing it? Re: Wintergrass and other weeds in new turf 8Nov 13, 2011 11:40 am It's now November, the soil is warming up and we have had plenty of rain. The saphire buffalo is starting to grow like GANG BUSTERS! I refuse to let hubby cut it with the crappy lawnmower that has weed seeds all over it (will buy a new electric) and I've just aerated with spikes. There are still lines and patches but they look like they will soon grow out. I have 100m of turf, so it's very managable and I hand pull out most weeds. I found a local molasses supplier 5L $11.00, I'm sure I can find better than that. Re: Wintergrass and other weeds in new turf 9Nov 19, 2011 9:47 am I just wanted to update as well that after the first couple of crops of weeds in winter and early spring, there are very few weeds now. The winter grass is gone. There has been more of that creeping yellow clover stuff, but this too is diminishing as the weeks go by. I haven't used a spray since that one time. I pull them by hand and notice that instead of being an hour job, it's down to twenty minutes or less every two weeks. I think, as Fu always states, that the soil and lawn are getting healthier and preventing the weeds from taking hold. My neighbor's lawn is a couch, newer than mine, put down with no prep, and is full of weeds. I recently went through a similar renovation and move scenario when updating our family home. We also swapped some rooms around and tackled a major… 2 9755 They using concrete or timber sleepers? Timber or steel uprights? Any drainage behind sleeper? 3 5829 |